If you’re new to buying vintage clothing pieces, you may be confused as to where to start. You may be asking yourself ‘What sort of vintage should I be buying?’ and ‘What’s actually worth the cost?’. It can be mind-boggling for newbies who browse online or rummage through vintage and retro stores hoping to find that one gem of a piece.
Vintage 1950’s Betty Barclay Crochet Dress | Size 10
Should you buy online or in store?
There are benefits to both in terms of buying from a store and buying from a website. One of the main benefits of buying directly from an actual store is that you can try on the item, check for any flaws and ask any questions you have. The great aspect about buying online is that you can research the product before you buy so that you know your money is being invested wisely.
If you’re buying online, here are a few top tips:
Know your size
The likelihood is that you’re not going to have a tape measure lying around, so knowing your size would be great when it comes to purchasing clothing. If you do have a tape measure handy, one of the best ways to ensure a good fit is to measure clothing you already have to refer to, so you know whether it will fit correctly and to your liking.
Ask for more details
Here at Brick Vintage, we hope we provide good customer service to ensure all our customers and potential customers are happy with the service we provide. If you’re unsure about a particular item of clothing online whether purchasing directly from our online store or elsewhere, it’s always a good idea to see more photos so you can make a well-informed decision on whether the piece is for you.
Vintage 1960’s Check Wool Jacket | Size 14
Check Instagram
One of the best ways of finding vintage sellers is on Instagram. Unlike eBay and Etsy, Instagram is less of a battle when it comes to purchasing pieces. All of the great vintage shops are now on Instagram including us (@brickvintage) and is a great way of chatting to the sellers to ask about the product before you buy.
Pricing
Before clicking ‘pay’, you should consider whether the piece is worth the cost which all depends on a number of factors. The younger the piece, the cheaper it will be. For example, a 1950s dress will hold more value than one from the 1980s. You should also consider how rare the item is – if there is a large amount of the same product already out there, it will cost less. Brands also play a huge factor in cost so you should always keep an eye out for high-end brands if you want to achieve the classic style, whereas lesser-known brands will cost significantly less.
If you’re new to vintage, you may wish to look at one of our other blogs – Tips on dressing vintage without looking like you’re wearing a costume.
