About Collecting Vintage Clothes
Collecting vintage clothes takes a knack for fashion, an imaginative mind and good taste, along with knowledge of classic, collectible brands. Being aware of fashion trends throughout the 20th century is helpful, too. Start by purchasing one item at an auction, yard sale or estate sale and you're on your way to becoming a vintage collector! Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Identification
-
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, vintage is defined as "a collection of contemporaneous and similar persons or things; a period of origin or manufacture." Vintage clothing, then, is a collection of clothing existing during a certain time period. But what does this mean for you, a prospective collector?
Significance
-
Collecting vintage clothes can be a hobby or it can become a business. Chicago's Dovetail owner, Julie Ghatan, started collecting vintage clothes by going to yard sales, estate sales, auctions and any place she could think of to find vintage couture. The result was a store, Dovetail, displaying items from the 50s to newly made replicas of past trends.
-
Time Frame
-
Vintage clothing has a lot of significance, especially now in the 21st century when trends draw from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Lace-up shoes with heels that were common in the 50s, headbands and scarves worn around the head in the 60s, wide-leg pants common in the 70s and leggings under dresses in the 80s are all part of fashion designers' lines today. Even Converse shoes, that were worn in the 90s, are back and are as popular as ever.
Function
-
The best way to incorporate vintage into your wardrobe is by mixing old with new. Try pairing a bubble skirt with a vintage belt or a classic black dress with a vintage designer name brand purse. For the more daring type, a taffeta gown or geometric mini dress with a modern patent leather purse is a combination to try. Mixing vintage with modern is a way to create your individual style while allowing vintage items to be the centerpiece of your ensemble.
Potential
-
Anyone has the potential to be a vintage collector. It starts with one piece, picked up at a local vintage store, flea market, yard sale or auction. From there, keep your eyes open for vintage events or estate sales, found in your local paper or on the internet, and find your collecting niche--belts, scarves, dresses or shoes!
-
