Why Buy Vintage Clothing?

Vintage clothes are indeed old, secondhand, and passed on, yet there is evidently a current craze about going vintage these days; it’s as though clothes from past eras have never gone out of fashion. The streets are populated by people with distinct and elaborately crafted vintage pieces and vintage clothing shops are packed with eager clients. Why is it that to buy vintage clothing is as appealing as buying brand new clothes? Following are some of the explanations.

1.) Vintage clothes are unique. Most items from the previous decades were produced in small quantities, if not custom made. If you wear a vintage piece, therefore, hardly will you bump into someone who is wearing the same item as you do. Though some contemporary and high-end manufacturers reproduce vintage clothes, they cannot completely imitate a vintage piece. They can probably copy the silhouette, but not the fabrics, the extraordinarily shaped beads, the interior seams, handmade finishing, and other elements. A vintage clothing piece, in all respects, remains one-of-a-kind.

2.) Vintage clothes were made from the finest and robust materials. Synthetic materials were not available until in the 1960’s, so people used natural materials, such as silk and wool, which in turn promise quality in each finished item. Some of the materials used before, in fact, are not anymore available today, or if they are, would cost handsome amounts.

3.) Vintage clothes were created with better sewing and detailing techniques. Most of the pieces before were actually handmade—from sewing to embellishing. Unlike the present-day clothing pieces, vintage items were designed to stand the test of time since people before did not buy clothes as frequent as we do today and that that the clothes were supposed to be passed on from one family member to another.

4.) Vintage clothes are highly stylish. From the silhouettes to the handmade lace and down to the buttons, vintage pieces were obviously well though of. This is very unlike the mass produced clothing pieces we have today, which are too common and sometimes lopsidedly done. The detailed embroidery, the ladylike designs, and the overall beauty of vintage clothing can make any wearer a standout in a sea of commonly dressed individuals. Whether it is used as a main piece or an accent, there’s no mistake in wearing a vintage item.

5.) Vintage clothes are relatively cheap. They usually cost a fraction of the price of new clothing items, but can lend your wardrobe a classic and sophisticated look. For less amount than what you are normally willing to spend, you get the best out of fashion. If, however, the vintage item is a dead stock, meaning it has never been worn, it is reasonably sold at a higher price.

6.) Vintage clothes open opportunities for you to protect the environment. You may not realize it, but wearing vintage clothes is a way of recycling. When you wear and buy vintage clothing, you are not contributing to the environmental perils of making new clothes. This means you are helping curb the emission of air, land, and water toxins from factories; save energy; and decrease the use of natural resources for making clothes.

Wearing vintage clothes, therefore, is not only satiating your fashion sense, but is also a whole new way of contributing something for the upkeep of the environment.


What is Vintage Clothing?

Many people are currently wondering what the word ‘vintage clothing’ means. This is because many collectors are now scouting the market for such items. Vintage cars are those old-modeled vehicles that are aged 50 years and more. What about vintage clothing?

The term ‘vintage’ was originally associated with the year oil or wine was bottled. In reality, wine and oil get better and finer as they age; hence when they get ‘vintage’ their quality is magnified. The word got into general usage when old cars were marketed to novelty collectors, who indicate interest to pay how much it would take to own such collectibles.

Years passed by and dealers of old or second-hand clothing used the word to relate to their own merchandise. Initially, the term vintage clothing was used to refer to old clothes. Currently, numerous buyers and sellers use the word vintage to describe previously owned or second-hand clothing aged 25 years and more. With the advent of Internet, vintage clothing has further become more popular.

Many online clothing sellers are now selling 1980s-styled clothing and accessories. They call such items vintage clothing. While the market for such items gained profile, more people has become further confused. People who have lived through the 1970s could hardly find 1980s styled clothes as vintage.

Technically, some people assert that vintage clothing should refer to clothes that belong to a previous era. They should be scarce not just because of limited supply, but because they are not produced by any garment maker anymore. Thus, clothing that belonged to the 18th, 19th, and even 20th centuries that are still intact and are still in good condition are technically called vintage clothing.

Today, the word is now widely used to refer to more recent designer garments. It could also refer to items that are not new fashion items or accessories and are still of good quality. Most vintage clothing items are still exhibiting excellent flair and are still capable to create an original statement of style. Purists are logically unhappy about this. They are warning the public against being misled to buy fashion apparel and accessories sold as vintage clothing.

In general, even non-haute couture items could be currently sold as vintage. More often, good and reliable custom made garments and brand names are either taken as unusual examples of different eras’ fashion. They could also be taken as typical items identified with eras for specific design value and style. Thus, such items are considered the staple vintage trades of today.

Vintage clothing are said to contain elusive quality, which makes them very desirable especially during their heyday. You could be surprised to learn that most collectors today are buying and using vintage clothing that could be categorized as vintage 70s or even vintage 80s. Again, purists are disagreeing with this custom. They assert any item that are designed and made just within the last 15 years should be identified, described, or described as ‘contemporary.’

Quality, uniqueness, novelty, and desirability truly make vintage clothing worth buying and owning. However, be reminded that not all old items could be desirable and could be described as vintage items. Take note and be watchful of quality. Real vintage clothing should be of high quality and should always shine through. Any damage in the item should not be overlooked as well.


Vintage Clothing is the New Gold Mine

People have been raving about it for a while now and it has been slowly conquering the fashion scene from all corners of the world. Vintage clothing is the old that's new in the fashion scene, a lot of people have jumped in the band wagon and joined the craze. It is really not hard to see why a lot of people appreciate vintage clothing and the benefits that it has.

What are the benefits of vintage clothing? More than the worn out look of vintage clothing it has so much more to offer than meets the eye. The worn look actually is just the tip of the iceberg for vintage clothes as it goes deeper than that. One of its major selling points is that there are only a handful of vintage clothes that share the same design. For example, it rare that we see the same print on two kinds of vintage clothes. Another one is its comfortability.

For some reason vintage clothes feel better on the body than some of the new clothes that are coming out. There is no exact explanation for this except that because it has been worn down a bit, the fabric has naturally softened up to the years of use and abuse. And lastly, has a certain kind of character and personality. For most of the new clothes that are sold today, most of us are attracted to its vibrancy and color. Vintage clothing ad more depth to the usual jeans and shirt that we have by exuding that classic feel to it.

Aside from just knowing the benefits what other things can we get from vintage clothing. Some people have made a fortune in selling vintage clothing or by designing custom vintage clothing. Some major names in the clothing business have even specialized lines that strictly focus on vintage clothes. They have gone as far as custom fading jeans and shirts to give it the worn out look. Other things that you need to now about it are:

Vintage clothing designs- talking about vintage clothes designs one of the best characteristics of a vintage piece of clothing is the design. Some people give little attention to the print or the design of clothes nowadays. Most of us would rather be safe and stick to solid colors or monotonous patterns that stay on the neutral side of the spectrum.

Vintage clothing is all about experimentation. Mixing and matching until you find a good style that would say a lot about you. Good vintage clothing designs are usually, old advertisements, events, news bulletins and old product logos and designs.

Make it a business-Making vintage clothing a business is one good way of satisfying our craving for vintage. Not only can you wear it, now you can also share it. There are other people out there that share the same passion as you do but have less knowledge about it. Making vintage clothing a business let's you meet these people and impart your knowledge with them.

Make it happen now, the only one stopping you from making vintage clothing in to the new gold rush is yourself. So if really are into it and you are ready to make some cash, do your homework. Research, look around, talk to people and more importantly like what you do.


Vintage Clothing Secrets

Vintage clothing has been making waves for some time now and people are finding this sweet change something good. It's the rave not only in the underground fashion scene but also in the mainstream of fashion. Young and old alike have found many ways of taking advantage of this hot new fad and create a style that is their own. There are a million reasons for people to get on and ride the bandwagon of change and it all starts by taking time off and discovering what we have in our closets that we could pass off as vintage clothing.

One question that lingers in the air though is what clothes can we call vintage and are those that just won't cut it. Let's all take a closer look at what makes vintage clothing and what are those that are just not part of the boat.

What makes vintage true vintage? One thing that we can't just do is to put on any old clothes and call it vintage. There are a dozen of reasons why, one of those reasons is that not all clothes that were worn by our ancestors can be called vintage because some of them are just plain old clothes. To get a good idea what is vintage clothing in your wardrobe we first have to get an idea from the experts. Reading magazines and internet websites or blogs would give you an idea of what the fashion gurus are calling vintage. One of the true vintage clothes that we can never go wrong with according to experts is a good pair of faded jeans.

One good pair of worn out jeans can have that vintage effect that we are looking for. To be precise of how vintage jeans would look like, check and see if you can still wear it. Now another thing to look for is how faded those jeans are. More faded is better, just remember that it just needs to be faded not worn out of shape (that's a different story altogether, now they are just old and unusable).

Make your own vintage. Another way of getting your hands on vintage clothing is by making your own vintage clothes. Sounds scary and complicated but trust me; it's actually easier than it sounds. Fading clothes and jeans on purpose is a lot easier when you know exactly how to do it. One sure fire way of achieving that faded vintage look is by bleaching.

A good amount of bleach would fade any clothes in seconds. Just be careful how much time and amount of bleach you use so you don't ruin your clothes. Another good way is by stone washing your clothes. It's a little harder than bleaching and you might need some help on this, but the good thing is that there are a lot of references on the subject online and in forums. Go online and search for methods and techniques for stone washing and your bound to run in to some pretty interesting stuff along the way.

After knowing how to make your clothes look like they are old enough to be 50 years old, try your hand at selling your creations. The good thing about vintage clothing is that there are lots of other people that are also interested in it and with making it.


Vintage Clothing Tips

Vintage clothing is the hottest thing that came to the shores of fashion since the leather jacket. People from all walks of life have been searching high and low for the best find in vintage clothing. From celebrities that shine on Hollywood to the common folk that run up and the streets everyday, they are finding common ground when it comes the kind of clothes they want on their back.

It is not really hard to find vintage clothing nowadays. There are a lot of good sources of vintage clothing almost everywhere now. Thrift shops are one good place to find vintage clothing. There are a good number of selections that will greet you in a thrift shop. Though most of the items here are not that "vintage" and dates back to the recent years, it's still worth trying to get a good look in to. One of the things you have to remember though when you are in a thrift shop is to be ready for the different kinds of clothes you have to rummage through. Since the items are just stocked by the different kinds, expect yourself spending a good number of hours looking through all their items.

Another good place to look is a second hand store. Here your chances of running into a piece of vintage clothing are far better than anywhere else. This is the place where people dig in to find rare items that are considered gems of vintage fashion. Don't forget to wash them though who knows what you could get. Other places like a surplus corner, a garage sale, specialty stores and even antique shops are good places to find vintage clothing. There are other places where you can get vintage clothing, all you have to do is keep your eyes peeled and your cash ready because you may never know what you might find and how rare it is.

Aside from looking for your pieces it's also important to know exactly what image or style you want to project, so there are key considerations like how vintage is your style, who are you trying to look like, key pieces for your look and new school used with vintage twist. Let's look into that a bit more.

How vintage do you want to get- It's important to know exactly how vintage do you want to get. When we talk about vintage these are the styles dating back from the 1920's to the 1980's, so hitting the right year for your look is important. Mixing and matching pieces from the same year or era is the best way to go.

Find an example- Just like drawing a portrait, dressing up vintage also needs an example. Try a look around in magazines or on the internet for a person that you could pattern your style after until the time you are comfortable enough to experiment on your own style.

Find your pieces- Make a list of the pieces that you would need to get that vintage look that you want. You have to remember the places where you can get your vintage clothes.

New school vintage- Mixing the old and the new is one good way of integrating the new styles that we have with the vintage clothing that are so in demand today.


Who Wears Vintage Clothing

People are raving about the comeback vintage clothing is making. From the streets of Hollywood to the posh homes of the country's high society elites almost everyone are in the market to find that perfect vintage pair of jeans and the crumpled up vintage shirt. Vintage clothing came a very along way from the relief good that used to be given to hurricane victims, fire victims, earthquake victims and other victims of natural and man made disasters to the highly sought after pieces of clothing that people consider it now.

The rise of vintage clothing to the modern fashion scene has a lot of holes and puddles along the way. No one can really say where and when it started its comeback, what is known to people now is how it became the most popular theme for any occasion. People far and wide have been in the market for Vintage clothing for almost all occasions. Some have gone as far as using vintage clothing as wedding gowns and special occasion suit and dresses. The success of vintage clothing has also inspired clothing companies to come out with vintage collections and lines.

Some companies have gone as far as making their clothes look worn out and old on purpose, so that it would appear more attractive to the customers of today. It's funny when you think about why more and more people are looking for something that already looks old and worn out when there are countless selections of new and more vibrantly colored clothes in the market. What makes vintage clothing appealing though? Well, there is no certainty to the reason why people choose vintage but according to some, the vintage look gives the clothes a classic feel to it.

ome say that it gives the clothes character and personality. It is often compared to people, when people are young they have little or no idea of how the world works. Just like clothes, a new pair of jeans may have the feeling of stiffness and stuffiness that comes from being fresh from the factory. The color is vibrant and showy and it is a little hot to the eyes. On the other hand, a vintage pair of jeans has faded lines that say, this is where you usually crumple me up before you sit. The colors have faded in certain areas and indicate that they have seen and heard a lot in their lifetime, and there are rips here and there that let you breathe while wearing them.

People invest a lot of money to look good and there's a good reason why. Everyday people meet, play, converse, greet and bump into other people that could have a foothold in their lives. It's is important that when that thing happen you are dressed your best and ready to face the situation, it's just like looking for and wearing the right pieces of vintage clothing. You will never know when you need to just sit back and enjoy the moment, so you have to be comfortable in the clothes you wear for you to really enjoy.

So why do you have to be stressed out? The best pair of vintage jeans could be right there somewhere just waiting for you to arrive and get it, don't miss out on it.


Vintage Clothing Business

Vintage clothing has been on the road to a huge comeback and from where it is now; it's showing no signs of stopping. Everyone has been raving about vintage and from the biggest names in fashion to the common folks trying to make a statement every day, people have been slowly but surely turning to the good things vintage has to offer.

People who just on the vintage clothing bandwagon have questions burning in their heads, questions like what vintage is, where to buy it, how to find out if it really is vintage and other questions that are understandable for people who take interest in what they are getting into. First, to better understand the idea vintage clothing and how it works, we need to look into it the story behind it. The vintage clothing fame kicked off during the time when people were looking for something else in what they were wearing.

Some of the old trends and fads never really disappeared; they just took some time off until someone decided that it was high time to get them out of the closet again. Now, the vintage fame has t-shirts to be thankful for. Some of the younger designers looked for a way to break the modern t-shirt monopoly and they started with reviving old prints in custom faded shirts. Then shortly after that the faded jeans came into the picture and before you know it, most of the icons in the fashion industry were trying to make their clothes look more and more "classic".

Vintage clothing is a good way to make a statement and create your own sense of individuality. The world of vintage is all about individual style and a good sense of fashion. It's not an exact science but the way to get the best effect if to never stop experimenting on the possibilities. One good way to go with vintage clothing is to make a business. As a business it shares all the elements of a profitable and enjoyable undertaking. It opens up opportunities for you to make it big in the fashion industry and it also lets you explore the avenues of your own style as well. If this is the way you are going the vintage clothing here are some things you have to remember.

Where to find vintage clothing- A good place to start with your vintage clothing business is where to get your supplies. If your mom and your dad or even your grandparents have a good stock in the attic that a good start but eventually it will run out. So where do you look? A good place is a second hand store or a surplus shop. Usually, with a keen eye and a ton of patience you will find a good number of vintage clothing that you could stock you shop with.

How much do you charge for it- The price is a very important consideration when selling vintage clothing since some of the items that you have were trash bound in the first place. Remember, you need to reasonable with your prices so people will acknowledge you and your business.

Wear your wares- Lastly, be the example. Wearing vintage clothing yourself says a lot about the kind of dedication that you have for your business. It's important for people to see that you are also in the know of what you sell.


Vintage Clothing Buying Tips

Undeniably, there are vintage clothes that don’t look appealing at all, but that doesn’t necessarily mean everything vintage looks old, soiled, and worn out. There is an unbelievably great number of vintage pieces today that still look pretty and are wearable despite the passage of time. The question, however, is how to spot them. There’s no guarantee it is easy, but if you carefully study your options, you might bring home a vintage treasure. Here’s a list of vintage clothing buying tips to help you in your search.

1.) Locate a good store. You can use the ever helpful yellow pages or the Internet. The truth is, a lot of good vintage stores are found within the country. Sometimes you don’t even have to leave your own neighborhood to find one. But one thing you have to keep in mind is to look for a store in an area where people discard their articles that are almost good as new to dealers and consignment stores; typically these are affluent neighborhoods.

2.) Make sure there are no stains. Though there are stains that are easy to remove, there are those that are permanent such as mildew. The problem, however, is that you usually find they are irreversible only after you’ve gone home. To be on the safe side, choose the clothes with no stains at all or if your choice of piece has one, make sure its size and position won’t catch attention.

3.) Check the vintage piece for any damage. Are the buttons snugly attached? Is the design missing a recognizable number of beadings and sequins? Does the zipper work properly? Are there traces of mildew? While buttons, embellishments, and zipper can, in most cases, be replaced, any signs of mildew are permanent. Tears and holes are also sometimes present in vintage clothes, so be extra meticulous. The rule of thumb is not to get an item that is irreparable.

4.) Pay attention to the areas that are most prone to wear. Examples are elbows, knees, and collars. Take note if the fabric is overstretched or sagging. Make sure also that the fabric is not nearing deterioration since vintage clothes, which are typically made from natural materials, have the tendency to tear overtime.

5.) Mind the size. Take note that vintage clothes were made in the periods where people were smaller in sizes, so they don’t conform to modern sizing. This is the reason you might find the piece indicating your size quite smaller. Therefore, it is always wise to try the garment on. Remember: don’t go to the cashier without first going to the fitting room.

6.) Don’t be discouraged by the smell. True, there are vintage clothes that have off and soiled odor because of the length of time they have been stored somewhere. But the smell can be easily dealt with. You can have the vintage items dry cleaned or you can wash them on your own, provided you do so with the fabric’s age and material in mind.

7.) Choose the clothes you would actually wear. There are clothes in vintage stores that are temptingly attractive and one-of-a-kind. But the question is, can you wear them in day-to-day or special occasions? Or will they sit in your closet for no one knows how long? Keep in mind that all the other vintage clothing buying tips are useless if you don’t get to wear your piece.


Vintage Clothing for the New Generation

It's the hottest thing to hit the streets! Some say it's even hotter than that video of the Disney kid. Yes, that's right hotter than that! But what is this hotter than hot new fad that's sweeping the streets and every crevice of the country's high society? It is none other than Vintage Clothing. That's right, something that old is the newest hit of the modern fashion scene and almost everyone is hooked.

What makes it so special? Well, aside from the fact that it is not as hard to find as the last piece of clothing Beyonce wore to the Grammy's, it is also as good as free (that's if you could find old clothes mom and dad wore when they were hitting it up back in the days). That and probably because even Hollywood big names are getting in to it as well. Vintage is all the rave of people especially the new generation of individuals with a good fashion sense and a good eye for a beautiful piece of clothing.

But what kinds of clothes can we actually call vintage clothing and what are those that are not. Well, one fact remains true for the generation that was then and that is now, whatever looks good and has good quality can be qualified as vintage clothing. The reason behind this is because there is no actual rule that applies to what vintage clothing is and what is not. Basically the main principle in finding and using vintage clothes is all up to the person looking at it.

But if there are no rules then it may come out as something that anything that we can dig up from the attic can be vintage item. Well, for that matter it’s a yes. Anything that we dig up our house's attic has the potential to be called a piece of vintage clothing. It's really up to us to carry it around and make it look good. But here are a few tips on how and what we could put on that people can say that it's vintage clothing.

Age-the year that the clothes play a major distinguishing factor to the "Vintageness" of it. Age pertains to the year that the piece of clothing was made and originally sold. Basically, the older the material the better, as many would agree.

Quality-if the piece of clothing is as good as the day it rolled of the assembly line the better the value. If you are planning to have Vintage clothing as a form of business then quality is definitely something you have to consider.

Functionality-regardless of the style, age and quality of the material if you can't really use it then it's as good as trash to anybody. Make sure that the material you choose is still functional and not a total waste of effort.

Uniqueness-of course you also have to consider the uniqueness of your vintage clothing. If there are other people with the same print or design then it may be a good idea to look for other materials that you could use.

It's not really rocket science if you want to get yourself a good find when it comes to Vintage clothing. All you have to have is a lot of patience, a good eye and a sense of personal style. Remember that it the man that makes the clothes and not clothes making the man.


Vintage Clothing for the Stars

One of the most talked about comeback in the fashion scene today is that of the vintage clothing lines. Companies and big names in the industry of fashion are going all out and making a mark in the vintage clothing theme. The underground fashion scene has made vintage the epicenter of their designs and creations but not only that even non fashion individuals have tried their hands on vintage and made it as their own. People have also started making vintage clothing as their business and most of these people are reaping the rewards of their endeavors.

One group of people that are making the most out of the vintage clothing phenomenon is the celebrities of the world. Almost all of the celebrities have once in their lives tried to make their unique fashion statement. Some have done it in gala parties and some when they were just plainly walking down the street. This group of people have made it a point to be remembered by either looking really good or really bad.

Most of them got away with what they were trying to prove though. Now when it comes to vintage clothing these stars wouldn't be left behind in the heat of the biz. This is what designers are taking advantage of. They know that these celebrities would go out of their way to make an impact on what they wear in public. But why put your clothes on people that have the potential backfire of negativity. Here are some of the reasons why.

Celebrities have the media's attention all the time. If you haven't been in the know lately, the press has always been after that one good (or bad) photo or video of a hot celebrity. It's like a parasitic form of relationship where photographer's feed off what these people are doing so they would be known as well. It's not unusual that celebrities will be stalked day in and day out by camera toting predators.

And if you are a budding designer that's one good thing for you, because of celebrities' natural attraction to attention having one or two of them dressed in one of your creations would also be good for your business. Letting them put on one of your custom vintage jeans would be better than a full page ad in the newspaper.

Another good reason is that celebrities don't need much convincing when it comes to fashion. These people thrive on the new and the in things. It wouldn't be too hard to have them put on your creations or your items. Just give them a sound proposal of why vintage clothing is the new thing in the fashion scene and they would take your word for it. That's one of the reasons why stars have all these people employed with them because they need experts to tell them what’s new, what's good and what would make them hotter than the sun.

And finally, putting on vintage clothing on celebrities actually saves you money. Think about it. Yes, you have to give them a few items here and there but when you sum it all up it cost less than making a commercial or a full page ad in the newspaper. Vintage clothing for the stars is a good way to make yourself and your business known.


The Balance of Vintage Clothing

It is one of this generation's greatest assets, Vintage clothing has widely become the most sought after genres of fashion in this century and there is no indication of it stopping any time soon. Everywhere you go you see vintage clothing as the most prevalent themes when it comes to fashion and fads. So does this mean that all things old have the chance to be revived…or do some pieces have to remain at the back of the closet where they should be? The answer to this is not quite clear-cut; it all depends on who wears it and how it is worn. Beyond that, everything else is a huge possibility.

How do you make old school and new school come together and create the perfect balance? Experts have their ways of teaching us how to create and achieve a degree of balance when it comes to vintage clothing and new styles, breakthrough designs and maverick fashion ideas. In the end it is still up to us to create it, paired with individual preferences and fashion statements. The real balance is achieved by making use of what we know and what is there in compliment to what we want to achieve.

New School and old school combined is not a farfetched idea. There are a good number of celebrities taking advantage of both these genres; they use these facets of fashion to create a sense of fashion that they can call unique to their style. One of those celebrities is hip-hop icon Kanye West. Mr. West has conquered the music scene and the fashion scene with his preppy and trendy outfits with a twist. A testament to this success is his iconic shutter shades, a crossover of old and new with a twist that adds to the appeal of his sense of style.

A hybrid of Ray Ban's Aviator sunglasses, it is has the frame of the aviator minus the glasses. Instead it sports bars that run across the frame creating a "shutter" effect of window blinds. Also, he brought back the knitted sweatshirt that bid us farewell back in the early 90's. Now he creates his own line of clothes that tries to combine the sense of style that is truly vintage yet very up to date. Also, he recently launched his Air Yeezy shoe line that looked like crossover old Jordan sneakers and the newest in Air technology.

Another celebrity that took that brave leap to make a statement in fashion is R n B artist Ne-Yo. Ne-Yo bravely conquered the masses with his very ground breaking use of the vest and his signature gentleman's hat. Ne-Yo bravely uses these items in combination with other materials that usually doesn't have a bit to do with vests or hats. He popularized the southern gentleman look in his music videos and concerts that is now very common among men trying to make a statement.

This people braved the traditional boundaries of what their music has stereotyped and made a statement. It left a very huge impact on the masses that struggle everyday to make their own image based on the clothes they wear. Vintage clothing is making a comeback and it is obvious everywhere we go. People are becoming more and more aware of the benefits that vintage clothing can give.


The Look Of The 1950s Women’s Vintage Clothing

Like the clothes in earlier periods of time, the 1950’s women’s vintage clothing is mostly defined by dresses, skirts, and fluffy evening gowns. The 1950’s fashion is a mixture of the influences and creativity of many fashion geniuses. Though the looks in the 1940’s stood as forerunner of the 1950’s fashion trends, many designers introduced new styles and concepts that generally flaunt femininity and glamour.

Dress and skirts for daywear
The 1950’s vintage clothing is normally comprised of daywear full skirted dresses. They have small waists, are calf-length, and are made from cotton and/or satin fabrics with foliage and floral prints. Usually, they come with belts.

Shirt style dresses were also common as daywear in the 1950’s. Shirt style dresses have three quarter sleeves and turn back cuffs and are made from striped fabrics that come in a lot of color combinations.

Though most 1950 vintage skirts were usually calf-length, there were also others that go below the knee. Skirts could either be full and fluffy or narrow. Regardless, they all have small waists.

Dress jackets and coats were also part of the 1950’s fashion. They could be used with a matching dress or be worn as a blouse with a skirt. Cotton and silk were commonly used for these pieces.

Other 1950’s vintage daywear pieces are halter dress, Capri pants, midriff bare tops, and straight dresses.

Detailed designs for evening wear
If the 1950’s daywear vintage pieces are feminine, evening gowns and dresses are even more so. They often come in boned strapless dresses made from lace, nets, tulle, chiffon, satin, and other luxurious materials. They are small in the waist and form a sexy and feminine silhouette. This is because the bodice has boned areas that give the dress its definite form and the wearer an hourglass shape. The evening dress is more often than not dreamy and full, with petticoats and under slips made from nets and nylon.

Vintage evening dresses from the 1950’s were worn during formal parties, proms, and balls. They can also be used for such occasions in the present time.

Vintage accessories
Since women of the 1950’s used different accessories a lot, loads of vintage accessories are available for modern women today. Vintage scarves, stoles, and wraps, for instance, could accentuate a modern getup. Gloves, though not anymore used as often as they were before, could be a new addition to vintage collection. Vintage decorated headbands, on the other hand, are still relevant to the modern times as do vintage pins and brooches.

The decade of feminine clothing
Three words define the 1950’s vintage clothing: feminine, sexy, and glamorous. Even the masses were able to keep up with the ultra stylish mode of clothing in the 50’s. This is because mass produced clothes, like haute couture, were stylishly designed and crafted, giving women from lower social classes a chance to get fashionably dressed.

The abundance and grandeur of the 1950’s women vintage clothing, in turn, give modern women more options in their clothing style. These classic pieces can be mixed and matched with contemporary items to achieve a unique but stylish look. For instance, the shirt dress, which was then paired up with either a full or straight skirt, could be worn with a pair of skinny jeans. With little alteration and adjustments, stylish and vintage-loving women could also turn a rather old evening dress into a party standout.


Tips When Buying Vintage Clothing through the Internet

Buying vintage clothing is a significant investment activity. It is logical that you might find the activity very hard. Many high-quality and wonderful vintage fashion items are rare finds. Moreover, most vintage clothing items are unique and are probably without any other identical garments of the same quality and style.

You could drop by at the popular vintage stores in your community or nearby cities if you aim to shop for really good buys. However, most of the time, you probably would be left feeling very much disappointed. Do not despair because the Internet could be a really good venue where you could find and buy all the unique and ideal vintage clothing you would surely love. Online, geographical locations would pose no barrier, so prepare to buy items from anywhere in the world. This spells more fun and rare opportunities for you, the vintage buyer.

Most of the greatest vintage stores globally are selling their items online. They have dedicated Websites that could cater to the growing accessories and antique clothing market. Swap shops online are also offering good vintage clothing opportunities. Here are several practical tips that could help you find and buy vintage clothing through the Internet.

Take note of your size. In general, sizing is an important issue whenever you buy vintage clothing online. You would notice that Internet shopping sites are specific when giving actual garment measurements for the bust area, the hips, and the waist. Take note that sizing on several labels might not correspond well to current sizing practices probably because such items might have already been altered. In some cases, such clothes may have been made for persons with slimmer silhouettes. It is a common knowledge that women’s shapes have been changed over the centuries and decades.

Put particular attention to the image of the Website or the company selling vintage clothing. It would also help if you would meticulously evaluate how the outfit is hanging on the hired model. Is the garment noticeable for several flaws? Is the fabric hanging well? Are there photographic differences specifically in the clothing’s color? The best online shopping sites are usually those that offer you comprehensive and detailed description of the item for sale. If you have any doubt or other inquiries, email the administrator before you finally make the purchase. The site owner should be quick to respond to your queries.

Read the Website’s section containing terms and conditions. Pay particular attention to the business’ exchange and refund policy. This would serve as your protection in case the vintage clothing you bought is unsuitable, is having numerous defects, or is simply not fitting. The terms and conditions may also contain specific statements that you might just be overlooking. You would be asked to conform or agree to all the statements stipulated, so in case troubles occur, you could expect not to be favored by the law, especially if your case is running against the flow of terms and conditions.

To sum it up, in case you fail to find the exact vintage clothing you are seeking, you are free to try out many other shopping sites. Membership sites are recommended because they usually update members about new stock and products through regularly distributed newsletters and emails.


Top Six Rules In Vintage Clothing Resale

The great number of people who have taken interest in shopping vintage these days translates to a pretty much good market in vintage fashion. This, in turn, attracts an equally great number of people to start selling vintage items. But for these new sellers, selling online is a more viable option than starting a brick and mortar store since there is less starting capital, upkeep, and leg work involved. However, this doesn’t dismiss the fact that vintage clothing resale via the Internet requires careful attention to keep the business going and the customers coming. If you are seriously considering selling vintage clothes online, here are the general rules you should follow.

1.) Be honest with your item description. Online buyers heavily rely on your description, so give an accurate account of the item’s condition. State whether it is in excellent condition, perfect, wearable, or still looks like it’s never been worn. But as good as you are in communicating the positives, tell your customers the flaws or damages that may be present in your item—stains, moth holes, split seams, faded fabric, missing buttons, and the likes. Never mislead your customers and overlook the flaws. Your customers know they are buying old stuff, so they somehow expect some sort of damages. Remember that you are trying to build your business, and for you to do that, you must first build customer trust. Giving accurate description establishes your integrity.

2.) Tell the overall structure of the garment. If it is a dress, is it billowy? Does its bodice have a boned area? Is the neckline too low? The sleeves have turn back cuffs? If you can get more specific and use the proper terminologies, the better.

3.) Describe the fabric, trimmings, and mode of construction. You can look at the label of the garment to know the fabric. However, there are some instances the garment doesn’t come with its original label, so you must make extra effort to knowing the different fabrics used for vintage clothes such as silk, chiffon, organza, grosgrain, and velveteen. You should as well learn the different trimmings like quilting, crochet, and cutwork. Then, state the mode of construction. Was the garment haute couture, mass produced, or custom made? You can determine this by looking at the fabric, the structure, the sewing technique, and the materials used. Generally, the more elaborate and detailed a garment is, the more expensive it was in its early days.

4.) Give the measurements. You need to tell the measurements of hips, waist, and bust. Other buyers, however, want to know the complete measurements, so be ready with the bodice, length, width, hemline, and so on.

5.) Post photographs. When you can’t be descriptive enough, the photos can do the job. This, however, doesn’t excuse you from giving full and accurate description, but is only a form of help to better send the message across, especially if you are not yet familiar with certain terminologies. What should be photographed? The full view of the garment, damages, and special details.

6.) State your preferred mode of payment. But don’t give detailed information yet, as doing so may put off potential buyers. You can instead prefer to send all the payment information via email to a sure buyer. Draft returns policy as well to assure your buyers of your integrity as a seller in the vintage clothing resale business.


Look Good In Vintage Style Clothing

Being old doesn’t mean getting outdated; at least that’s how it works in the world of vintage fashion. Clothing pieces from the 1920’s to 1970’s still find a space in today’s fashion setting and are increasingly becoming more visible in modern times. But vintage clothes don’t stand only as fashion alternative, as they are also a window to the past.

They give people firsthand information on the fashion history and the clothes’ elaborate evolution. However, as with any other clothing styles, vintage clothes need to be mindfully assembled. You wouldn’t want to look like you’ve just come out of a 1920 portrait, would you? To get the most out of vintage style clothing, you have to know how to wear them in the modern times without looking out of style. Here are some tips.

1.) Never wear a complete vintage ensemble, and this means vintage from head to toe. If you do, you have big chances of being mistaken for a Victorian play actor. Town down a little. One vintage piece can already bring the style and uniqueness to your ensemble. For example, wear your vintage blouse with a pair of contemporary jeans and not with its original skirt. Or dress in a vintage jacket with a nice shirt and skinny jeans. The idea here is to keep one vintage piece your focal item and pair it up with other pieces from your closet.

2.) Keep your personal style. The thing with vintage is that some items are temptingly attractive and entice you to take them home without any careful thought. However, not all of them suit your personal style. Vintage clothing allows you to be a little experimental, but never go overboard. It’s okay to try new things, but make sure that whatever you put on expresses your individuality and makes you look good. For instance, don’t buy a skirt just because it’s leopard. Assess if it looks pretty on you, complements your body shape, and goes with the current trend. Make sure as well that you are comfortable in it. What good is it to wear a flattering wardrobe if you can hardly breathe?

3.) Try to accessorize. Remember that you don’t necessarily have to go vintage all the way. In some instances, you can do well with vintage accessories. If, for example, you are wearing an evening dress, try using vintage earrings, bracelet, or necklace. Vintage jewelry perfectly transforms your getup from being plain to extravagant as much as other vintage accessories like pins, brooches, and bags do. You should, however, try to limit your accessories to one to two pieces at a time, so you can keep the harmony in your ensemble.

4.) Alter the vintage piece if you deem it necessary. Others don’t feel like altering their vintage thinking that doing so loses its historical sense. But there’s nothing wrong with doing some changes in a vintage piece, especially if you want to fit into it and to make it more updated.

5.) Be confident. You sure are wearing old stuff, but vintage style clothing has a way of making things sophisticated. It should, therefore, translate in your attitude. Whatever reason you have for buying a vintage piece, never walk down the street feeling inferior and dowdy. There are women who own vintage clothes and wear them like they are worth a million. The secret? It all lies in their attitude. They feel good with vintage—its style and classic element—and it manifests in their looks.


Remove Stains from Vintage Clothing

It is not surprising and odd that vintage clothing could have multitude of different stains. Such ‘dirt’ could have accumulated through years of journey. The items could be second-hand, and could have been owned by many other people before landing to your wardrobe. Do not worry about those undesirable blemishes and stains. If the garment is still resilient and durable, you could still proceed to washing them like any other clothes you have. However, specific measures could be taken to deal with any form of stain.

Here are several guidelines that would help you remove different kinds of stains in your vintage clothing. Take note that these tips are apparently based on natural methods and products available. These procedures would also not cause any damage to the fabric of any vintage garment. Before you resort to chemical dry cleaning, it would be better if you would first try out these recommended measures.

To remove bloodstains, rub the affected area with toothpaste (plain or white) before rinsing very carefully and well. Avoid using toothpaste products with gels or artificial colors for this method. Such colors might create additional and worse stains on your vintage clothing. A little amount of toothpaste would do. For makeup stains, it would be effective if you would rub the surface of the stain with a white bread slice. It really works.

Perspiration marks could leave unlikely stains especially on the armpit area. To remove such stains in vintage clothing, prepare a paste from a mixture of water, salt, and baking soda. Rub the mixture into the perspiration stain before rinsing carefully and well. As an alternative, you could create a paste made of cream of tartar, water, and crushed aspirin. Rub the paste into the stain and leave it for at least 20 minutes. Then, rinse the garment. Take note that perspiration stains are always permanent in vintage clothing made of linen and silk so it is not safe attempting to remove them.

For rust stains, stretch the clothing while immersing it into a pot full of boiling water. Then, sprinkle the garment with fresh lemon juice before rinsing well. Repeat this procedure for several times or until necessary. Try not to use pre-packaged lemon juice because such products contain preservatives and additives that could post unlikely effects to the fabrics. You could also alternatively steam the stained surfaces using a kettle or steamer. Cover the rust stain areas with cream of tartar as you do so. Immediately rinse the garment.

If there is ring around the garment’s collar, rub it with very mild shampoo. Leave it for a few minutes before rinsing. Yellow-colored stains could be removed more effectively using bluing shampoos that are used typically for gray hair. If there is grease, apply enough water without using any detergent. The grease would go off after a few minutes of soaking the garment in running water. There are also several specific grease-removing products in the market.

For unknown stains in vintage clothing, rub the affected area with hydrogen peroxide (diluted) before rinsing well. It would also help if you would rinse the area with a mixture of glycerin and diluted ammonia. For unlikely mildew, just let it stay there. Mildew could not be possibly removed in any garment, specifically vintage clothing.


How to Find Quality Vintage Clothing

There is a new trend in fashion that is so old it is new. Vintage clothing is the old and new of fashion and people are becoming more and more aware of the benefits and the rewards that it can give. You can see Hollywood big names very much in to it, you can see common folks trying to make the best of it, you see big names in the fashion industry looking back to it's possibilities and you can read all over the internet about the its biggest comeback. Perhaps the biggest comeback that vintage clothing has ever made is when people are making more money out of what used to be relief goods.

There is no denying that before the big comeback vintage clothing made, people were ready to discard dad's old pair of jeans, mom's old boots and other stuff that used to be the all the rave in the 50's, 60's, 70's and the 80's. It was either the trash can or the big boxes that we use to gather clothes at the back of the church for the hurricane victims. That's right, it was like that before. People found no use for these clothes that are still in good condition just because they were out of date or yesterday's news. Some people did have the good sense of having a garage sale to make some money out of these clothes that were part of the "Boys don’t cry" era. While some others just held on to it as memorabilia but never to be worn again in public.

But because of the big revival in the fashion industry, vintage clothing was given second life and another chance to make people feel, look and dress good. Some kids started looking for vintage tees and jeans in the attic so they could be more "in" with their circle. These are kids are lucky because their parents couldn't let go of the past but for some people who do not share their luck there are still places where you can dig up old treasures of the times that passed. Here are a few good places to look for vintage clothing.

Antique stores-Aside from really old furniture and fixtures, antique stores are one of the good places to hunt for vintage clothing. There are a good number of antique stores that carry clothes along with furniture in them, they may have mostly shoes and bags and only a handful of clothing. However, there is nothing bad in trying. Who knows what you might find.

Second hand stores-These places are like vintage heaven. These stores carry a huge selection of clothing ranging from vintage to the modern ones. You may need a great deal of patience though as it takes a little while to find the good items.

Garage sales-It's amazing how much clutter and junk people can gather in their lifetime but it is also a good place to hunt for vintage clothes.

Surplus stores-Usually these stores have multiple items that are the same. Nonetheless, try your best at looking for the ones that are unique and have good quality.

Specialty shops-There is a number of stores and shops that specialize in vintage clothing nowadays. It wouldn't be too hard to find what you are looking for here. Remember, vintage clothing is all about where to find and how to find it.


How to Take Care of Vintage Clothing

Vintage clothing is not easy to find and is not usually reasonably priced. You should understand that this is logical because such items are rare finds. If your wardrobe’s profile is bolstered by several vintage fashion and accessories, you should strive harder to make sure your investment would last longer.

You should recognize and understand the fact that most vintage clothing sold today are comprised of second-hand items that have probably been used by other people perhaps 40 to 50 years ago, or probably more. You do not own retro and contemporary clothes (which technically were made in the 1960s to 1980s). You own clothes that are much older than that, perhaps as old as the Victorian era. So how could you possibly take care of such apparel?

To take care of vintage coats and jackets, remember the golden rule: do not store them in any plastic bag. Always remember that wool and many other natural fabrics should be able to breathe. Thus, the best practice is to store them in fine fabric dress bags. Before keeping them for some time, make sure they are clean and are free from any spot or stain. Have a reputable and reliable dry cleaner take care of cleaning them. To drive away insects like moth, put several sachets of rosemary and mint, which are good insect repellants. Such natural repellants could be bought at conventional stores as ‘Mothaway.’

Beaded sweaters could be hand-washed. They are usually made of silky nylon lining. Those with crepe lining should be dry cleaned instead because the material would further shrink upon contact with water. To store vintage sweaters, use cedar chest or other wooden drawers with natural insect repellants. Before storing, close all buttons and hooks prior to laying face down. Use tissue paper on the sweater’s back to cushion the fold.

Vintage furs could be taken care of easily. You do not need to use cedar or plastic as storage facility. Instead, take it to a good furrier to have it glazed and cleaned initially. Cleaning could be done as rarely as once every year. Do not forget to apply fabric conditioner before long storage. Hang it in a closet through a jumbo padded hanger. There is no need to store it in a cold area. Take note not to jam it next to many other clothes or suffer having to deal with smooched fur.

For hats, purses, and just about any vintage accessories, just make sure there is no dust. It would be ideal if you would keep the hats in good hatboxes that are usually available at conventional home decorating shops. To brush off dust, use soft brass with soft bristles. Purses should be stored in fabric bags, in a manner similar to how luxury purses are stored today. Vinyl and leather purses should breathe, so keeping them in plastic containers and bags would not be advisable. Compacts should first be wrapped in rolls of tissue paper or should be stored in small jewelry bags to protect them from dust.

Overall, there is one great lesson. All plastics are not good and ideal for storing vintage clothing and other vintage accessories. Some people regard plastic as among the most wonderful inventions of mankind, but in terms of keeping, storing, and taking care of vintage things, they are not useful.


Information You Should Know about Vintage Clothing

With the entire buzz, it is cool and hip to buy and own vintage clothing today. Having such items in your own wardrobe could make for a truly unique and timely statement. Environmentalists are commending the trading and use of vintage clothing as a good example of recycling. Energy resources are also preserved and spared through the use of such clothes.

Definitely, a significant part of using and wearing vintage clothing is people’s ability to recognize modern use for such old items. Most teenagers of today find delight in owning and wearing vintage clothing. Likewise, people in their 20s and 30s often refer to vintage clothing as an extraordinary and classy source of genuine, original, and highly unique clothing style.

There is basic information you should learn and always remember about vintage clothing. First, it is including garments and accessories from the classic Victorian era or much earlier. It should encompass anything identified in the Victorian period down to the baby boomers’ years of 1960s. Purists are always arguing on this, and perhaps people should realize that clothing identified as from the 1970s to 1980s should instead be described as contemporary clothing, instead of vintage clothing. Technically, clothes made and designed after the 1960s should rightfully be classified or categorized as ‘retro.’

What about the pricing scheme and value of vintage clothing? Like in all antiques, the actual value of most vintage clothing should be based primarily upon the quality, condition, market demand, and of course availability. High-quality, in-demand, and limitedly available vintage clothing should logically be worth a fortune. If you are still in doubt about modern pricing, you should begin doing your homework.

The best probable way to effectively ascertain vintage clothing value is to do a good research, as mentioned. Online shopping sites like eBay could facilitate a good market research. You should take time, effort, and patience in educating yourself about vintage clothing through reading informative articles and then investing in educational vintage clothing books.

Vintage clothing should be treated as an investment and as a fashion statement at the same time. Vintage clothing and accessories from the 1950s down to 1960s are logically easier and more convenient to locate. They should also be more affordable. However, designer pieces could be highly expensive as they could become genuine and really desirable collectors’ items.

Take note that another characteristic of vintage clothing is that the more they age, the greater their value becomes. Thus, collectible items like Hawaiian print shirts, expensive designer gowns, and 1950s bowling shirts could be more valuable in time. You could be surprised at how their value would grow further through the years. Thus, some people are just adept and passionate about collecting such items as novelties. In time, they could prove to be significant collectors’ investments.

Take care of vintage clothing. Understand well the current condition of the items. Air dry or drip dry vintage clothing to avoid fading of color and shrinkage. It is not advisable to use dryer. Some items should be dry cleaned instead of washed. Take note of the kind of fabrics present and handle such clothing with much more care.

Remember that because of old age, vintage clothing might already not be able to effectively withstand stretching, washing, and conventional drying.


Everything You Have To Know About Classic Vintage Clothing

Celebrities in classic vintage clothing fanned the public’s awareness of vintage fashion. Today, more than ever, the concept of wearing clothes owned by people from earlier eras is not anymore limited to period parties and plays; going vintage has eventually become a trend.

In strictest sense, vintage clothes are those produced in the 1920’s to 1970’s. Some, however, say that 1980’s clothes could still fit into the vintage category. Those made before 1920’s, on the other hand, are considered antique. Vintage clothes essentially are old, secondhand, and used, although a fraction of the vintage clothes were never worn by their original owners and thus belong to the dead stock market.

These clothes are more expensive than the used ones. Yet, there are also called vintage reproductions or repro. These are brand new clothes with designs and structures resembling those of the original vintage. Because they are produced in the contemporary times, there is more leeway in the use of fabrics, sewing techniques, and sizing.

Where to find vintage clothes
Because of the hype in vintage fashion today, sources are pretty much abundant. Vintage stores are one. These stores have all the possible vintage items you are looking for—from evening dresses down to shoes and accessories. Vintage stores are privately owned and are regularly in search for more vintage items to buy and sell.

You can also try and look in thrift stores, which sell donated vintage items for charitable purposes. When you buy from a thrift store, not only will you satisfy your vintage urge, you also get to help other people.

Then there are the consignment stores. These stores act as sort of a middle man. People place their vintage clothes in consignment stores to sell, which if bought, the consignment store gets a predetermined percentage from the sales. If the items, however, are not bought during a specified period, the store returns them to the seller.

You can also ask people in the family if you want to get a vintage item without spending a single dollar. Maybe your grandparents kept something in their closet, which they probably have no use for. Try also asking your aunts, uncles, and everyone else who might own old stuff. They probably have vintage items that they intend to pass on to the next generation.

Assessing vintage condition
Considering the age of vintage clothes, it is very likely to spot signs of tear and damages. So when buying a vintage item, it is very important to evaluate its condition. There are terms used in describing the condition of a vintage item. They are the following:

1.) Mint. It means the item is as perfect and flawless as it was first made. There are no indications of damages, as if it wasn’t even worn. Mint vintage items are rare, though.

2.) Near Mint. It means the item is still in pristine condition, but has slight signs of wear.

3.) Excellent. The garment shows signs of wear due to occasional use. It is wearable and in superior condition, though.

4.) Very good. The vintage item is wearable, although it shows some surface and structural flaws such as stains.

5.) Good. A good classic vintage clothing is also still wearable, but has serious flaws that even repairs cannot bring it back to its pristine condition.


Get All Classic With Men’s Vintage Clothing

It is true that there are more vintage clothes available for women than men. Women, after all were, and still are, observed to be more careful with their clothes and kept them in good condition. Still, although men’s vintage clothing pieces are in inferior number and often have more holes, stains, and all sorts of damages, men can still scour the whole of a vintage store and successfully find vintage garments that can still be worn for many more years.

There are many vintage choices for men that are still in style today. Classic, if we may say. And interestingly, classic pieces look very good on men, whether as casual, office, or evening attires. Vintage stores offer these classic cum vintage garments, and some of them are the following:


1.) Zoot Suit. Made popular in the 1940’s, zoot suit is composed of slim, high-waisted trousers and long, broad-shouldered jackets. Its bright colors and structure give it a highly stylish appeal, which is why it was mostly worn by teenagers and young men in its heyday.

2.) Eisenhower Jacket. It has short collars and is cinched in the waist. Also appeared in the 1940’s, the jacket took its name from General Dwight Eisenhower who was fond of wearing it.

3.) Buffalo Plaid Shirt. It has a very formal structure, although the checkered print is very casual. It was common in the 1960’s and was worn by older men.

4.) Turtleneck. Another popular item in the 1960’s, turtleneck comes as a basic garment among men as it can be paired with practically everything—jeans, slacks, vest, blazer, or coat.

5.) Nehru Collar. It is a buttoned garment with short, stand up collars, hence the name. It is tight fighting and can be paired with a jacket. Also popular in the 1960’s, nehru collars were worn by The Beatles and other celebrities.

6.) Khaki pants. Khakis are essential in men’s wardrobe, which is why they appear in all eras. Classic in every sense, khaki pants can be paired with any shirt and can add elegance to any wardrobe

7.) Wool Blazer. Another basic item in men’s wardrobe, wool blazer has been around for many decades now. But its lingering presence in the fashion world has given way to many developments in style.

8.) Vintage Shirt. It can be anywhere from concert shirt to sports championship shirt. Many celebrities, particularly music artists, are seen wearing vintage shirts these days.

9.) Fedora. An appealing and masculine accessory, fedora was the most popular hat in the years prior to 1950 and probably of all time. It is usually made of felt and was worn by detectives and gangsters. By 1950’s, however, fedoras began to disappear. But in the modern times, men still wear fedora hats to make a commanding fashion statement.

Men from the earlier eras liked to dress up as much as modern men do. This, therefore, provides vintage-loving men more fashion alternatives. However, there are certain challenges that modern men might face when looking for vintage clothing. The smaller sizes, for instance. People then were much smaller, with 30 inches the average male waistline. As such, the sizes considered large before could only fit small-built men today.

Other garments are also not in very pristine condition because, as mentioned, most men failed to take good care of their clothes. Male teenagers, for example, wore their clothes until they rip apart. Men’s vintage clothing pieces can be fixed, of course, but there are items that may never have its original structure and excellent condition even if repaired.


Guides In Dating Vintage Clothing

There are a lot of interesting things about vintage clothes—their unique fabrics, flattering silhouettes, meticulous trimmings, and of course history. Only few, however, take interest in digging deep into the history of a given vintage item. They know it is from the past, but where exactly in the past, they are clueless. Remember that the ability to date vintage items saves you from buying fake ones.

How sure are you that a garment is an authentic vintage piece and not just something that is made to look like one? Every vintage-loving person—whether a collector or a fashionista—should be skilled in dating vintage clothing items. The following are some guides.

1.) Peruse fashion history books. Fortunately, a lot of books written by reliable authors are available today. Make an investment and get yourself copies. You can also check websites that have detailed and interesting presentations on the fashion plates for every decade. Study the lines and silhouettes and notice their differences. Take also a closer look at the prevailing lifestyle at any given decade and the subsequent trends.

What were the most stylish fabrics in the 1930’s? What were the fashion innovations caused by World War II in the 1940’s? How long were the skirts in the 1950’s? This may be too overwhelming a task, but this is a good starting point. Keep in mind that in terms of dating vintage clothes, nothing can replace your knowledge of the fashion history.

2.) Look at the zipper. Many people take zippers as clues in dating vintage garments. Zippers were first created in 1891, in the Victorian era, but appeared in garments only in the1930’s. That time, however, traditional button fastenings or press studs were more widely used in garments. Until 1950’s, zippers were sewn in side seams of garments, and later began to appear on center backs. Metal zippers are believed to appear before 1960, although plastic zippers were already available in the 1930’s.

Concealed zippers were first introduced in 1958 and plastic coil zippers in 1971. Zippers, however, may not be a very reliable clue to identify the age of a garment, as some zippers may have been changed either to replace a damaged one or to make a phony garment look like vintage. As a general rule, pay attention to other indications of age such as trimmings, fabrics, and silhouettes.

3.) Check the seams. It is said that the seams in mass produced garments during the 1950’s were pinked, while those more expensive and possibly haute couture had overcast, welted, or Frenched seams. It was also in the same decade that overlock seams were made in lingerie, which were eventually done in other garments in the 1960’s. Like zippers, seams may not accurately point you to the date your vintage garment was created, so consider other factors.

4.) See if the garment has a label. Sewn-in labels started in the mid-19th century and were usually hidden beneath layers of linings. Care labels, on the other hand, were introduced in 1972 in the United States and 1975 in United Kingdom.

You may date a vintage item wrongly in your first experiences. The silk dress you thought was from the 30’s was in fact from the 50’s. But don’t be discouraged; dating vintage clothing requires a lot of practice.


Guides In Looking For Plus Size Vintage Clothing

Looking for vintage clothes that are wearable and relevant to the current trends isn’t easy. But looking for wearable, moderately updated, and well-fitted vintage clothes is doubly hard. How many times have you given up a stylish vintage item just because it doesn’t fit you? Finding vintage clothes in larger sizes is, more often than not, frustrating.

This is because vintage clothes are in sizes that don’t conform to the modern standard sizing. People before were smaller and clothes are tailored to a dominant body shape of the current decade. For instance, clothes in the 1950’s favored hourglass-shaped bodies, while clothes for pear-shaped bodies were apparent in the 1960’s. But does this mean finding a plus size vintage clothing is next to impossibility?

There’s no denying the fact that it is hard to find a plus size clothing item, but it is not impossible. With sheer patience, persistence, and a little help, you can find a vintage piece that will add oomph to your wardrobe. Here are some tips.

1.) Be extra inventive and resourceful. Visit other sections to find items that fit your size but which don’t compromise style. If you’re looking for a daywear, don’t limit yourself to the casual dress racks. Look in, perhaps, the lingerie section. You might find something that can double as an outerwear if you wear an under slip or camisole. Men’s clothes, given their larger sizes, can also be another option.

2.) Alter if necessary. You can get the service of a good tailor or, if you have a knack for tailoring, you can do it on your own. Adjust the seams to make bigger rooms. For example, you can turn an otherwise ill-fitted dress into a tunic by adjusting the sides. You can also move the buttons to improve the fit of button up blouses. If the skirt is too small in the waist, change the elastic bands. The thing is, there will always be times you can never get a vintage piece that fits just perfectly, but you can always alter.

3.) Know not only your size, but your measurements as well. This means your bust, waist, and hips. Getting your measurements is especially helpful if you are shopping online or if it’s impossible for you to try on a piece in the vintage store. There are two ways to get your measurement. One, you can measure your body, and two, you can measure a garment that fits perfectly well. Do this by laying the garment on a flat surface.

Then measure from the side under the sleeve to the other side. Double the number and you have your bust measurement. Do the same to the waist area to get your waist measurement. Same applies to your hips. It is also important to measure your shoulders. You can do this by measuring from the top of the sleeve seam to the other end.

4.) Take note that plus sizes before were labeled in half sizes. There are 20 ½, 22 ½, and so on. Therefore, look for clothes with these labels.

5. Wear a good bra and under slip, especially if you are going to try the garment on. This will help you get into the garment more easily and smoothly and allow you to have a better fit. Many don’t know or totally disregard this when looking for plus size vintage clothing, but it helps a lot.


Easy Ways To Clean Vintage Clothing

Because vintage clothes have been around for many years, they are more prone to disintegration. One act of negligence and you are likely to jeopardize their condition and value. But how do you actually maintain and clean vintage clothing? Many people end up ruining their vintage clothes because they know little about the fabric, cleaning chemicals and solutions, and procedures. If there’s one thing you have to keep in mind when cleaning vintage items it is to be extra careful.

Some are not naturally good at washing; they cannot even be trusted with their ordinary clothes. If you are one of them, it’s better not to attempt washing your vintage items. It would do you better if you bring them to a cleaning specialist. Washing vintage clothes is unlike washing your ordinary clothes, for one, because they require special effort—you need to handwash them one at a time. Remember that the fabrics have aged and weakened considerably and subjecting them to rigid rotation inside a washing machine may cause damages. Same is true with the dyer, so to be on the safe side, consider air or drip drying your garments. Only make sure to use padded hangers instead of wood and metal, as these kinds may cause stains.

Take note, however, that washing is good only to certain fabrics such as cotton, nylon, and some wools and silks. Others may shrink, lose their body and finish, and get distorted, thus requiring dry cleaning. Examples are rayon and lace. In some cases, though, they only need to be aired. For instance, if the garment is relatively clean but has a persisting odor, hang it outside. But keep in mind that some fabrics, such as white and cream wools and silks, may be prone to discoloration if put under direct sunlight. To preserve their color, hang them in a room with a bowl of vinegar for some days to remove the odor.

For some reasons, stains and undesirable marks manage to settle in vintage clothes, and usually they appear in the most exposed areas. Whether they are caused by storing conditions or constant use, you need to get rid of them. To remove stains, you can either use commercial cleaning solutions or simple household ingredients. Lemon juice and white vinegar, for instance, can work well in removing deodorant, rust, and mildew stains.

For deodorant stains, use pure lemon juice or white vinegar and dab the stained area with a clean white cloth. Rust stains, on the other hand, can be removed with a mixture of salt and lemon juice. For mildew stains, mix lemon juice or white vinegar and water in equal amounts and spray the mixture on the stain. You are likely to kill the mildew this way and therefore prevent it from reappearing.

Check the care label of your garment to see if there are additional or special maintenance procedures. After cleaning your vintage clothes, make sure to store them properly. You can even put moth holes in your closet to prevent moth damages.

Cleaning vintage clothes on your own assures you they receive proper care, but you should also know when it is more appropriate to bring them to a cleaning specialist. It may cost you some amount, yet doing so guarantees you not only clean vintage clothing pieces but also pieces that are in undeniably good shape. In the end, it’s a good investment.


Next


Next plc is a British retailer marketing clothing, footwear, accessories and home products with its headquarters in Enderby, Leicestershire, England. The company has over 550 stores throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and 50 franchise branches in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

History
The company was founded by Joseph Hepworth in Leeds in 1864 as a tailor under the name of Joseph Hepworth & Son.
In 1982 Hepworth & Son acquired Kendall & Sons Ltd, a Leicester based rainwear and ladies fashion company from Combined English Stores. The intention was to redevelop the Kendall's stores as a womenswear chain of shops. Terence Conran, the designer, was Chairman of Hepworth's at this time and he recruited George Davies, who went on to become Chief Executive of NEXT.
The first NEXT shops opened on 12 February 1982, with the Kendall's conversion complete by the end of 1983.
Made chief executive in 1984, Davies then converted the 50 Hepworths stores to the NEXT format, extending the total concept look at the same time to cover menswear. This allowed the development mini department across the entire footprint, selling women's and men's and clothes. This was added to by the introduction of NEXT interiors to stores which were deemed in the "right demographical areas." In 1986, Davies moved the groups headquarters from Leeds to Leicester, to be closer to the main garment manufacturers. The groups name changed to NEXT plc.
In 1987, the group acquired Combined English Stores and the Grattan catalogue company. Extending first to introduce NEXT childrenswear, Davies then introduced the NEXT Directory.
By 1988, "after seven years of growth, Next had over- expanded suicidally" .. "some stores were not bringing in enough to pay the rent." Davies was sacked and the share price fell to 7p. Chairman Sir David Jones, accused him of being egotistical and taking Next to the verge of bankruptcy.
In Autumn 2009, Next launched an online catalogue for the United States offering clothing, shoes and accessories for women, men and children.

Operations
Next has three main channels: Next Retail, a chain of 500+ retail branches in the United Kingdom and Ireland; Next Directory, a home shopping catalogue and Website with more than 2 million active customers, and Next International, with 180+ international stores.
Its other businesses include Next Sourcing, for own brand products; Lipsy, which designs and sells its own branded younger women's fashion products through wholesale, retail and Website channels.
In 2011 Next trialled a new 'concept' store at Shoreham-on-sea. The 56,000 square-foot Next, Home & Garden store also housed a Starbucks concession. Following the success of the concept, a similar 40,000 square-foot store will be opening in March 2012 in Martlesham retail park, Ipswich, in the now defunct Focus DIY store. The store will also contain a Starbucks.
In July 2010, a BBC investigation found Next was breaking the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 by billing customers for its delivery costs even if goods were returned within the seven working days. A spokesman for Next admitted that they had been doing this for three years but promised to comply by August 2010. Trading Standards said that the DSRs had been in force for ten years, and there was no excuse for not adhering to them. "Although the majority of businesses ..are law-abiding, there is a small minority that are not and those are the companies we need to take action against."
Prices charged in Ireland have attracted criticism. Next was one of four retailers accused of failing to pass on exchange rate savings to shoppers in the Republic.
All non UK and Ireland stores with the exception of Copenhagen, Denmark are franchises. One of the largest franchises is in Japan, operated by Xebio.

Logos and marketing
Until circa 1991 Next used a lower case Courier-style typeface in black against a white background for its logo. This was replaced by the capitalised NEXT logo in a Roman-serif style type face. There were some variations of this such as the logo with each letter of NEXT in an individual square and in some stores in 2005/6 had the Next logo in a varying blue & black background with "X's" printed on them, as opposed to the black background. In addition, some variations in typeface occurred during the logo's use – including similar fonts that had serifs positioned above the "T" crossbar, similar to Garamond and others that had more in common with Times New Roman. In 2007 a new next logo was introduced, although the previous logo continued to be used until stock was exhausted.
Next clothing often carries reference to the origins of the company in 1982 with use of "82" or "1982" as a design feature on clothes in all ranges.
Prior to 2007 Next only advertised immediately prior to a sale, usually through brief television spots and newspaper advertising. In 2007 following a "disappointing" 7.2% fall in like for like sales, it announced it was investing "£17 million over the next three years to revive its existing stores and product offering" + an additional £10m for marketing. Yasmin Le Bon who modelled in the first Next Directory in Spring 1988 featured in an on-line fashion show.
In September 2007, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Next launched its first television campaign in 12 years named 'Ali's Party' with the song 'Suddenly I See' starring Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio. All extra casts were Next employees, otherwise nicknamed 'nextras'. A second advert featuring Ambrosio, was screened in November 2007 and the songs were regularly played instore during the campaign.
An advert directed by Ben Watts and filmed on the banks of the river Seine was shown in September 2010 to reflect the season’s Parisian chic styles. It was soundtracked by The Specials’ "A Message to You, Rudy" and starred Brazilian model Emanuela de Paula and Spanish actor Jon Kortajarena.

Official website

Next


Next plc is a British retailer marketing clothing, footwear, accessories and home products with its headquarters in Enderby, Leicestershire, England. The company has over 550 stores throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and 50 franchise branches in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

History
The company was founded by Joseph Hepworth in Leeds in 1864 as a tailor under the name of Joseph Hepworth & Son.
In 1982 Hepworth & Son acquired Kendall & Sons Ltd, a Leicester based rainwear and ladies fashion company from Combined English Stores. The intention was to redevelop the Kendall's stores as a womenswear chain of shops. Terence Conran, the designer, was Chairman of Hepworth's at this time and he recruited George Davies, who went on to become Chief Executive of NEXT.
The first NEXT shops opened on 12 February 1982, with the Kendall's conversion complete by the end of 1983.
Made chief executive in 1984, Davies then converted the 50 Hepworths stores to the NEXT format, extending the total concept look at the same time to cover menswear. This allowed the development mini department across the entire footprint, selling women's and men's and clothes. This was added to by the introduction of NEXT interiors to stores which were deemed in the "right demographical areas." In 1986, Davies moved the groups headquarters from Leeds to Leicester, to be closer to the main garment manufacturers. The groups name changed to NEXT plc.
In 1987, the group acquired Combined English Stores and the Grattan catalogue company. Extending first to introduce NEXT childrenswear, Davies then introduced the NEXT Directory.
By 1988, "after seven years of growth, Next had over- expanded suicidally" .. "some stores were not bringing in enough to pay the rent." Davies was sacked and the share price fell to 7p. Chairman Sir David Jones, accused him of being egotistical and taking Next to the verge of bankruptcy.
In Autumn 2009, Next launched an online catalogue for the United States offering clothing, shoes and accessories for women, men and children.

Operations
Next has three main channels: Next Retail, a chain of 500+ retail branches in the United Kingdom and Ireland; Next Directory, a home shopping catalogue and Website with more than 2 million active customers, and Next International, with 180+ international stores.
Its other businesses include Next Sourcing, for own brand products; Lipsy, which designs and sells its own branded younger women's fashion products through wholesale, retail and Website channels.
In 2011 Next trialled a new 'concept' store at Shoreham-on-sea. The 56,000 square-foot Next, Home & Garden store also housed a Starbucks concession. Following the success of the concept, a similar 40,000 square-foot store will be opening in March 2012 in Martlesham retail park, Ipswich, in the now defunct Focus DIY store. The store will also contain a Starbucks.
In July 2010, a BBC investigation found Next was breaking the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 by billing customers for its delivery costs even if goods were returned within the seven working days. A spokesman for Next admitted that they had been doing this for three years but promised to comply by August 2010. Trading Standards said that the DSRs had been in force for ten years, and there was no excuse for not adhering to them. "Although the majority of businesses ..are law-abiding, there is a small minority that are not and those are the companies we need to take action against."
Prices charged in Ireland have attracted criticism. Next was one of four retailers accused of failing to pass on exchange rate savings to shoppers in the Republic.
All non UK and Ireland stores with the exception of Copenhagen, Denmark are franchises. One of the largest franchises is in Japan, operated by Xebio.

Logos and marketing
Until circa 1991 Next used a lower case Courier-style typeface in black against a white background for its logo. This was replaced by the capitalised NEXT logo in a Roman-serif style type face. There were some variations of this such as the logo with each letter of NEXT in an individual square and in some stores in 2005/6 had the Next logo in a varying blue & black background with "X's" printed on them, as opposed to the black background. In addition, some variations in typeface occurred during the logo's use – including similar fonts that had serifs positioned above the "T" crossbar, similar to Garamond and others that had more in common with Times New Roman. In 2007 a new next logo was introduced, although the previous logo continued to be used until stock was exhausted.
Next clothing often carries reference to the origins of the company in 1982 with use of "82" or "1982" as a design feature on clothes in all ranges.
Prior to 2007 Next only advertised immediately prior to a sale, usually through brief television spots and newspaper advertising. In 2007 following a "disappointing" 7.2% fall in like for like sales, it announced it was investing "£17 million over the next three years to revive its existing stores and product offering" + an additional £10m for marketing. Yasmin Le Bon who modelled in the first Next Directory in Spring 1988 featured in an on-line fashion show.
In September 2007, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Next launched its first television campaign in 12 years named 'Ali's Party' with the song 'Suddenly I See' starring Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio. All extra casts were Next employees, otherwise nicknamed 'nextras'. A second advert featuring Ambrosio, was screened in November 2007 and the songs were regularly played instore during the campaign.
An advert directed by Ben Watts and filmed on the banks of the river Seine was shown in September 2010 to reflect the season’s Parisian chic styles. It was soundtracked by The Specials’ "A Message to You, Rudy" and starred Brazilian model Emanuela de Paula and Spanish actor Jon Kortajarena.

Official website

Wallis



Wallis is a British women's clothing retailer. The brand operates from 134 stores and 126 concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Wallis is a subsidiary of the Arcadia Group and one of the many companies under ownership of Philip Green, a British retailing icon.

History
The first store was opened by the founder, Raphael Nat Wallis, in Islington in 1923.[1] After steady growth the UK, the brand opened its first store in Germany and later opened outlets in Saudi Arabia and South Africa under respective franchise and licensing agreements. In 1980 Wallis became a part of the Sears Group and in 1999, following the acquisition of Sears by Sir Philip Green, the brand was transferred to the Arcadia Group.

Celebrity Collections
In September 2009, supermodel Yasmin Le Bon is partnering with Wallis to design her first women's clothing and jewellery collection called YLB.

Operations
Wallis specialises in creating up to the minute fashion and includes dedicated ranges such as its Petite range and a premium range known as Limited Edition which was introduced in 2006. Wallis also works closely with Cancer Research UK and launched a charity charm bracelet in 2005 and charm necklace in 2007 designed by international designers and celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Kate Moss to raise funds for the charity.

Wallis Website

Wallis



Wallis is a British women's clothing retailer. The brand operates from 134 stores and 126 concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Wallis is a subsidiary of the Arcadia Group and one of the many companies under ownership of Philip Green, a British retailing icon.

History
The first store was opened by the founder, Raphael Nat Wallis, in Islington in 1923.[1] After steady growth the UK, the brand opened its first store in Germany and later opened outlets in Saudi Arabia and South Africa under respective franchise and licensing agreements. In 1980 Wallis became a part of the Sears Group and in 1999, following the acquisition of Sears by Sir Philip Green, the brand was transferred to the Arcadia Group.

Celebrity Collections
In September 2009, supermodel Yasmin Le Bon is partnering with Wallis to design her first women's clothing and jewellery collection called YLB.

Operations
Wallis specialises in creating up to the minute fashion and includes dedicated ranges such as its Petite range and a premium range known as Limited Edition which was introduced in 2006. Wallis also works closely with Cancer Research UK and launched a charity charm bracelet in 2005 and charm necklace in 2007 designed by international designers and celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Kate Moss to raise funds for the charity.

Wallis Website

Turn Your Money into Profit


Everyone knows money brings money. So why you let your money to take rest in the bank? Why not you use them to bring more money? While money is just lifeless paper! What is the reason about your fear? If you have no idea how to turn your money into profit without big loss (?!?), I am gonna tell you such outstanding business technique that how to build your profitable business. Remember, no risk no gain, but in this technique there is very little risk. No no, it is not fake business, everything will operate by you. That will be your own business, you are your own boss (neither it is any MLM business :-). So are you ready to know how stuff works!?

Let me explain. Remember again it is your own investment for building up your own business. Have you ever informed about world famous clothing brands? You can see from here. You know, clothing business is one of the hottest business now-a-days. Click here to know about their ranking & trading. Clothing brands are very famous among all other brands. If you ask anyone of young generation about H&M, Armani, Levies, Nike, Adidas etc. they will react hysterically because those brands clothing is their favorite. So think if you have a business, which bring you money, satisfaction & popularity? Yes, you got my point. I'm talking about clothing business & you are going to launch your own fashion brand name with us. Just hire a fashion designer & a apparel merchandiser. They will work for you for establishing your clothing industry. Fashion designer creates clothing design; merchandiser sets up its measurement & other accessories details as well. You then send your order details to us. We will make your clothing with your brand name & send to you. You then sell those clothing in any super market, shopping mall, super store, clothing show room or you can build your own clothing store. You can also sell them through online (e.g.: eBay, Aliexpress, Dhgate, Amazon etc.) too. You can launch your own online clothing shopping store. I think you are now fully clear about your vision. So why you are waiting, turn your money into profit now.

About us

Company Name : Stareon Limited
Address : Siddirganj, Narayanganj, Bangladesh.
Skype : stareongroup
Email : stareon.ltd@live.com | stareongroup@gmail.com
Website : www.StareonGroup.com

*** Please contact for company profile.