How to Look for Vintage Designer Clothing

Shopping for vintage clothing can be an enjoyable and inexpensive way to nab fabulous designer clothing at a fraction of the price. If you know what to look for, you can spot a good buy among the throwaway garments and leave happy and confident that you have found a diamond in the rough. Vintage and thrift stores often carry valuable and rare designer items that you can't find anywhere else, short of an old relative or an estate sale.

How do you know if the clothing you find is worth the marked price, or if its an inexpensive steal? Follow our guide to picking the perfect vintage items.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Locate a vintage clothing store that is already well-known for having designer gear. You can usually find higher-end vintage wear by traveling to upscale neighborhoods to do your shopping at a second-hand or vintage shop. If you happen to live in a city known for fashion, like New York, Miami or Los Angeles, finding incredible buys is that much easier. However, you can find great clothing in almost any major city as long as you have the time and patience to look.

2. 

   When you are shopping, check for labels first. Even if the label is missing from the neckline, the garment may have other labels or names of the designer printed onto the fabric near the seams. Check all seams for other tell-tale tags and markings of your coveted designer duds.

3. 

   Check for garments with price tags. Even if it is not the designer you had hoped to find, it may be a good buy anyway. Consider the price of the item with the original cost and how much you'll wear the garment. Designer items will cost a little more, but not as much as if purchased new. So be sure you know what you're getting or missing during your shopping search.

4. 

   Always avoid cheap fabrics with badly sewn seams. Though your item may not be restored to its full beauty, a quality designer piece will still have well-sewn seams and use luxe fabrics. Even if an article of clothing is very cute, but still seems overpriced for the fabric quality -- it is.

5. Research the designer's previous collections for the look that you are after. You may be able to locate photographs that will help you identify these collections when you find them in person.

6. Compare any labels that you may find with the label you researched beforehand for any obvious differences that may alert you to a copycat or knock-off garment.

7. Talk to the clerk at the vintage store to see whether there is a section set aside for your designer of choice.

8. Try on any and every thing before you buy it. Most vintage shops do not allow returns. If there is no fitting room, measure the waist, inseam, sleeve or any other item that you cannot try on over your clothing. Know your measurements before you shop and you'll know if garments will fit you.

9. Check for spots, rips, irreparable tearing and other flaws. Some flaws are fine and can be hidden with a belt or other accessory, but if the fabric is excessively old and permanently stained, the item may be beyond repair and not worth buying, depending on where the flaw is located. While there may be wrinkles, check between the wrinkles for discoloration that cannot easily be repaired.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to wash or dry clean the items before wearing.

• After visually checking items, also check for odors that may not come out after washing or dry cleaning.

• Try visiting a fashion or art museum. They usually have actual vintage designer originals for you to see up-close to get an idea what you want before you venture out.

• If the odors or stains are set in, do not buy the item.

• Don't look at sizes. The sizing of clothing has changed drastically over the last 50 years.

• Know your measurements before you go in case there is no fitting room.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Jitter Buzz: A Guide to Shopping for Vintage Clothes