Things to Consider when buying vintage clothing:
- Condition – though it is almost impossible to find vintage clothing in new condition,
it should be free of perspiration odor, stains. If you are buying something and see
a spot that you think is removable, be sure to understand the return policy and talk
to the seller about the option of trying to remove the stain. If you are buying to
wear something yourself and see that there are minor holes in layers of tulle, or in an
area that won’t be visible, and you really love the piece, it can sometime be worth
purchasing. But when buying for an investment, you want to be more careful.
The same is true about alterations. Make sure if you are buying for investment or
historical purposes that you know of any alterations that have been done to the garment. - Provenance - This is basically a history of the garment including who owned it, and perhaps even which events it may have been worn to by the previous owner.
- Fit – When buying for yourself, make sure that the item either fits well, or if it needs
to be altered, ask the seller if they believe it can be altered to fit. - Designer- When buying for a collection, some important designers and labels to consider include:
Gilbert Adrian
Giorgio Armani
Lilli Ann
Biba
Pierre Cardin
Coco Chanel
Ceil Chapman
Ossie Clark
Christian Dior
Hubert de Givenchy
Jacques Fath
Mariano Fortuny
Jean Paul Gaultier
Halston
Jacques Heim
Jeanne Lanvin
Tina Leser
Claire McCardell
Thierry Mugler
Suzy Perette
Paul Poiret
Clare Potter
Emilio Pucci
Mary Quant
Zandra Rhodes
Nina Ricci
Carol Robins
Nettie Rosenstein
Yves St Laurent
Gunne Sax
Elsa Schiaparelli
Kay Selig
Travilla
Pauline Trigere
Travilla
Gianni Versace
Madeleine Vionnet
Vivienne Westwood
Samuel Winston
- Store labels
- Some store owners in the mid to latter part of the 20th Century would remove the designer labels and replace them with their own. Therefore, knowing some of the more exclusive stores of different eras is helpful too. Here are some to consider:
Nicholas Ungar
Nordstrom Best
Isabell Gerhart
Doops
Most important, have fun! You might want to buy a dress just because you love it - and that's the best reason of all!
MISS ELLIETTE COPPER DRESS VINTAGE VICTOR COSTA OSTRICH FEATHER DRESS