Vintage fashion can include the unbranded, the handmade and the high street -now the sought after as they become more unique with every passing year. It also includes the upper crust vintage designer pieces which are often well documented, photographed and equally sought after. Is it just as exciting to find an old St Michaels label as an Ossie Clark labelled item? Hell no, but it is still quite a buzz to a true vintage fashion detective!

What is Vintage?

Vintage clothing is a constantly changing phenomena; 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s - which decades are vintage, which simply second hand? Who decides the delineation of such things- the retailer, the buyer or the great hipster in the sky? Really it is a very subjective notion and buying online can be tricky…

Tips & Guidance (in no particular order)

1 Returns policy: if no returns don’t buy it. Move on.

 2 Labels: lots of vintage clothing don’t have labels due to fading or having been removed, however many do and these can be authenticated- image search is such a boon! Garment labels and logos are interesting some trace brand development, some are small works of art and some are simply nostalgic reminders of the past!     

3 Textiles: the development of fabrics, sizing and manufacturing styles can all help to identify and age vintage clothing. Older fabrics can be more sumptuous and substantial than modern counterparts, well cut and assembled too. Often vintage clothes will not use modern synthetics or modern names for them, usually nylon is just nylon!

4 Vintage Inspired: basically, not vintage but can be fabulous if you cannot find the item you want in your size/colour or at all!

5 Measurements: Sizing can be an issue with preloved clothing, improved nutrition and exercise regimes mean we are generally bigger- taller and wider. Changes in fashion and the move toward more comfortable clothing means we no longer require tiny waists and pointed busts (Madonna wannabes aside!). Fabrics may also have stretched a little with wear- this often happens with jeans for example. Sizing has developed and a medium in 1960 could well be a small or extra small today. Items should always cite measurements apart from the label size for this reason, if there are no measurements quoted- ask!

There is an old saying about fashion being cyclical – well of course it's true and its brilliant too! It means we can find all sorts of vintage items that have endured the mean streets of yesteryear and are ready to rock again! Many true vintage items are well made ones - they have made it through without bursting at the seams, stretching out of shape or fading to a pale memory of a former glory. They are the survivors- treat them with respect!