How to Shop for Vintage Clothes Online

If a browse through your local vintage store sends you home empty-handed, sit down at your computer and check out the immense collections for sale online. You'll find everything from Victorian lace gowns to '20s flapper dresses and groovy '70s hip huggers.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Vintage Clothes

1. Know your measurements, not just your size. Online vintage stores advertise in bust, hip, waist and shoulder measurements, not necessarily numbered sizes.

2. Understand the function of the sites you access. Some are actual online stores, while others serve as a classified marketplace uniting buyers and sellers.

3. Examine pictures carefully, paying close attention to how the garment hangs on the mannequin or model. Most sites give comprehensive descriptions about each garment, including measurements, damages, fit tendency and unseen details.

4. Remember that the color of an item may not be as it appears on your screen. Look in the item listing for additional info on color, or e-mail the company directly and ask for tangible references.

5. Print out a copy of the picture and item description of any item you choose to purchase. Use this as a reference when you pull the garment out of the box.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out all online vintage stores, even if their clothes do not seem to be your style. Most have a links section that could lead you to the item of your dreams.

• If you don't see what you're looking for, ask. The entire collection may not be posted, or the proprietor of one store may know where you'll have a better chance of finding what you're looking for.

• Read all of the fine print. Understand the terms of the sale, shipping and insurance details, and the return and exchange policy.