So you’re new here! You’ve heard all about this vintage and second-hand craze, and you’d like to board this fast-moving train mid-ride. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to seeking out quality vintage, differentiating between sellers that care about your experience vs. those that are just in it for the sale, and most of all, how to properly care for your vintage pieces so that they continue to last and truly help you do your part in the sustainability side of slow fashion.
The allure of fast fashion is a double-edged sword designed to save us both time and money, two things that most of the first world values most. This is an illusion in many cases and comes with dire consequences for the environment and, in the long run, your pocketbook. The only way to slow down the fast fashion wheel is to change our thinking altogether.
Eco-CONSCIOUS vs. Eco-CONSCIENCE
It is so important to build awareness and be “conscious” when it comes to the fashion industry and its link to environmental issues, but awareness is simply not enough. Building a “conscience” for how we are each responsible in this dilemma and creating a knowledge base on what we can do in our everyday lives is how we turn awareness into action and continue the necessary work past the point of sale.
Before buying your next garment, take a moment to cover some key bases. Think about quality, versatility, longevity, and proper fit. In doing so, you’ll quickly find that you are discarding your unwanted items less and less, and you’ll begin building a collection that encapsulates your unique personal style and elevates your confidence. Search for pieces that work together across multiple seasons and moods. Spending a little more money on purchasing cherished items will inspire you to build a collection that will continue to work for you for years. If you can’t go this route, look to second-hand thrift shops to help you find the things you want without overextending yourself.
KNOWLEDGE and CARE
Once the item is in your possession, taking the time to understand how to properly care for the garments you acquire means you are doing the additional work necessary for truly giving back to the planet and saving yourself a whole lot of heartache. Recently, a pristine structured wool, silk-lined item sadly found its way straight out of the box and into the washer and dryer. The customer was inexperienced in caring for this type of item and hadn’t researched care for the garment beforehand. When running my vintage business, there aren’t many things that hurt my heart more. An item that had survived in nearly perfect condition for over 100 years was reduced to another discarded bit of misshapen textile instantly and has left a customer feeling discouraged and regretful for buying a higher-end piece.
It’s true that higher-end items, most of the time, will require dry cleaning or gentle hand washing to keep them looking their best. And yes, this can seem too daunting a task for some, but in actuality, it will save you time and money in the long run. Through the years, I, too, got caught up in spinning that fast fashion wheel, and I settled for quick and easy over quality. I found that the energy I spent seeking out inexpensive, mediocre-fitting, low-maintenance items meant I had a closet filled with just that and was constantly on the hunt for the next thing. Time and money spent equal time and money wasted, and it was much less fulfilling than the effort it now takes for me to care for and maintain the cherished pieces I have invested in.
HIGH PRICE vs. HIGH END vs. HIGH QUALITY vs. CONDITION
There are a few crucial points for me under this heading to consider when buying vintage. The first is that an item’s price and rarity can sometimes go hand in hand and not necessarily refer to the item’s condition or quality of construction. Be sure to know the difference between these things. Look for sellers that show numerous clear photos, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about things like the type of textile and structure. Most reputable sellers will have listed their items with plenty of information to sift through about each piece they showcase. Refer to their shop policies and FAQs pages that will most likely hold more information about how they price their items and what to expect. If you don’t see these, then ask.
Secondly, the vintage market is fast growing and represented by sellers of all kinds on all different levels. The focus is sometimes different from one seller to the next. Don’t let one seller decide the policies of another or one shop to determine the worth of an item. How each seller acquires, cares for, and presents their item varies greatly these days. And the worth and rarity of an item can be very personal to each seller. What’s important is what it means to you. Perhaps you’re looking for that perfect finishing touch to an ensemble, or you’re looking to collect a rare item that you hope will increase in value over time. Figuring out where you fit into the vintage market as a buyer will help you align yourself with the right sellers for your needs.
Lastly, when buying vintage, you should expect some visible wear unless stated otherwise. To love vintage is to love items that gracefully show their age, imperfections, and all. If you’re a vintage lover, then you understand that it’s in the wear that an item builds its character, old-world charm, and, often, even its rarity.
REAL-ationship BUILDING
There are endless opportunities for learning these days, with a plethora of quality vintage sellers doing their best to share their experiences and treasures with you. It’s so important to know what you are buying and who from. The market is growing so fast. Look to reputable sellers to help guide you. Create a relationship with the sellers you are buying from and ask questions. They may not always have the perfect answer, but they should try to guide you in the right direction. If you’re finding the seller is unresponsive, then move on. Navigating the vintage and second-hand world is a process, but finding a seller that works for you and your needs is key. Support those sellers by liking and commenting on their posts on social media to help keep them actively sourcing and sharing info.
