Finding vintage jewels
While wearing someone else’s clothes may not appeal to everyone, the benefits of vintage shopping can entice many: purchasing original, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces guarantees you won’t see anyone else wearing them; wearing vintage clothing is also a form of recycling, which benefits the environment because you’re not paying for the natural resources (fuel for shipping, fuel from factories, etc.) used in production of new clothing; and thrift and vintage shops can help you evolve your personal style in a wallet-friendly way. The key is to be creative and open-minded.
Vintage, thrift, charity or consignment stores are the major places to buy used clothing, but there are a few differences between them. Vintage shops are privately owned. They purchase their items from a number of sources, such as estate sales, and resell them at some sort of premium. Thrift and charity stores sell used clothing donated by individuals. Consignment shops function as dealers by consigning merchandise from individuals and taking a percentage of the profit for each item sold.
While all the four store types in Los Angeles are brimming with second-hand gems just waiting to be rediscovered, the greatest treasures may be buried in your relatives’ closets. One day while visiting my grandmother, a velour pouch resting on a shelf in a corner of her living room caught my eye. Inside it? A pair of 1960-something Christian Dior sunglasses that even Elton John would envy. Little did I know, her closet was filled with to-die-for handbags, shoes and clothing from her youth. I went home that night and opened my mother’s closet: gold mine. My aunt’s? Cha-ching! You’d be surprised at how many things people have and don’t use, but refuse to give away.
Now that you’ve consulted with family, it’s time to shop. First, ask yourself what you’re looking for. Some thrift shops, like the Salvation Army and The Artifac Tree, sell merchandise of all types from all eras, while others only carry clothing of a certain quality for specific occasions. For instance, if you’re in search of a gown for a black-tie event, there are plenty of vintage shops around Los Angeles that sell used designer formal wear in great condition at reasonable prices, such as Shareen Vintage on Abbott Kinney. Searching for different types of second-hand stores online (such as Google-ing “high-end thrift shops Los Angeles”) can help you narrow down your options. You can also use online directories to find nearby thrift stores.
My favorite vintage store is Wasteland, with locations in Santa Monica and L.A. I actually avoid going in there because when I do, I usually leave with a few bags of stuff. And not just any “stuff.” While shopping in New York City last fall, I fell in love with a $350 multicolored silk dress by Scoop N.Y.C. I loved it so much that I almost bought it, but couldn’t justify the splurge. I walked into Wasteland at the beginning of May and, lo and behold, my beloved dress, with a $50 price tag (making it even more beautiful), was hanging there as if it had been waiting for me.
Despite of all of my wonderful finds, I admit there’s an element of luck involved. Nothing guarantees you’ll score each time you shop. Here are some tips that have helped me over the years:
-Decide why you’re shopping. Are you just in the mood to browse or do you have something in mind?
-Never wear head-to-toe vintage. Compliment your vintage finds with contemporary pieces to avoid looking like you’re wearing a costume.
-Some used clothing stores are more organized than others and usually arrange their items by gender, type, color and size, while others just house a clutter of garments and household objects. Start with the more organized stores until you become proficient at looking through clothes. The more shops you visit, the quicker you’ll develop a sense for the types you like.
-Before buying a garment, always check its armpits, linings, zippers, etc. for stains and damage. Take the cost of repairs and cleaning into consideration before determining if it’s really a bargain.
– Sizes are not consistent throughout every decade. Since vintage sizes have little correlation to the sizes of today’s clothing, it is important to try before you buy. If you don’t like the idea of trying on used clothing before washing it, you can quickly judge the waist size of pants or skirts by fastening the button or snap and then stretching the waistline starting at your belly button around to the center of your back (the spine). If it reaches, it’s probably large enough. You can always re-donate whatever doesn’t work out.
-If you’re crazy about a garment but it’s too big on you, it may not be a lost cause. Larger sizes can usually be tailored depending on their fragility and the location of their seams. However, it’s rarely possible to enlarge smaller sizes because there’s usually not enough extra fabric in the seams.
-Don’t forget to check out the accessories. You can find the coolest belts, purses, luggage, shoes, hats and jewelry at a fraction of their regular prices.
-Be prepared to dig! Try not to be overwhelmed or discouraged by unorganized thrift stores. It may take patience and effort, but the digging and sifting will pay off when you walk out with fabulous finds.
Lastly, try not to buy on impulse, but if you absolutely love it, get it. That’s the thing about vintage items: once you let them go, you may never see them again.