5 tips for successful Vintage Shopping…( I promise you, it works)
As far as I can remember, I have always been the one ready for any flea market, brocante, antique fair, and thrift shopping in local charity shops.
When everybody around me thought I was mad to be willing to spend time trolling flea markets and grubby shops, trying on old clothes, I was just having a blast!
Decades of triumphs and tragedies that have left me in the position to share these 5 indispensable tips with for successful vintage clothing shopping.
so, here we go …
1/ You have to believe you will find something you love
How many times have I heard friends or clients before they even go shopping or vintage shopping, saying
“ oh, but , you know I never find anything when I go vintage shopping” or “Vintage shopping is not for me.”
This is the first mistake right there…If you start with a negative mind, the chances are you are not going to find anything in these shops.
I am not sure about you but I always invoke my parking angel when I look for a parking spot.. well, I do the same before I enter a vintage shop !!
I haven’t named my vintage shopping angel yet ( maybe I should ) but I can tell you it works..
2/ Go there with an open mind
As much as I understand the concept of shopping list, I don’t think it applies to Vintage or thrift shopping.
The best option you have is just to set some free time on a off day and go and explore a few thrift shops not expecting to find a white shirt or a pair of jeans that you need in your wardrobe.
Do your research first online to see what are the best shops in your area.
If you are a beginner in Vintage shopping, start with going to shop where you know there is a curated selection already.. I mean, where some kind of selection has been made for you, either by era or by colour by the shop owner.
It is going to make your shopping experience easier even if you will probably pay a higher price for these items.
It is ok to trust and pay for the professionals’ expertise.
3/Don’t buy what you already have in your wardrobe
We walk in Vintage stores not to buy what we already have, but we walk in there because it’s cheap, because we can be creative and explore other lives than our own.
It is like travelling in time, and deciding when you want to stop the clock.
Why get another jeans jacket when you can buy a 50’s merino green coat?
4/ Let go of Perfection
Vintage shopping is an experience but it is also experimenting with the concept of letting go of perfection.
In the majority of cases when you buy vintage, pre-loved or pre worn items, the chances are they are going to be imperfections on these garments.
When you are in the shop, inspect the garment you like and make sure it is in good condition..and remember than good is not perfect.. if you have a little mending to do, it is ok.
Thrift shopping allows you to be creative and to have fun with clothes without taking a huge financial risk, so enjoy the process!
5/ Get a tailor
Before you go shopping, make sure you have a good tailor that will be able to fix, shorten, take in your newly bought garment.
Once you have someone you can trust, then shopping for more extravagant pieces is easier.
If you like to do it yourselves, it is even better and it opens a new door for up cycling pre-loved items at little to no extra cost.
Thrift shopping is always fun, and I promise you that if you follow these 5 steps and take a good friend along, you will have a great time!
I hope you find this article useful and inspiring and I would be grateful if you could share it with people
you think would be inspired by it.
If you need help with vintage shopping, just click here to get in touch with me.
Alternatively If you need help a Full Style refresh, check my services.
You can also check my reels on Instagram to see how I style preloved items.
Until next time,
Lots of love and Stay stylish!xx