How to decide what is ordinary and what is luxury when shopping vintage! From buying at the right places, knowing your labels, measuring for quality & asking questions.
One of the most exciting things about shopping vintage is when you come across something that is incredibly cool and incredibly high-end but that has a really low price tag. This is the second-hand shopper’s secret goal, the thing they all crave, the thing that they all hope for every time they step inside a vintage store…
Okay, this doesn’t actually happen that much (even though the Netflix show Girl Boss might have made us think so). Instead, it often seems to be the opposite. We are always finding ourselves in the conundrum: is this garment actually worth buying? Because of the popularity of vintage, there is a rise of people selling ordinary stuff and claiming it to be luxury.
Whether you buy vintage clothes online or spend your afternoons searching the thrift stores, you got to know the difference between luxury and ordinary, and how to decide between the two. You don’t want to be handing over your hard-earned cash for something subpar, right?
So, here is our guide on how to decide what is ordinary and what is luxury when shopping vintage!
Shop at The Right Places
First, know where to shop. Unfortunately, sellers will claim to have a designer vintage garment for a fair price, but will actually be selling a fake at a ridiculously high price. Where there’s money to be earned, people are going to be getting sneaky, right?
Always go to shops and online stores that have a decent reputation. If it is an online store, look at the reviews if they are available. Check out the other items that the shop is selling, as this will give you an idea of the legitimacy of the place.
Some second-hand shops famously focus on luxury items, and these places are much more reliable than those that don’t. This is because they know luxury, and will not put up clothing and accessories that are ordinary.
Know The Label
If you have found a luxury garment at a vintage store, check the label and do your research before buying. Knock-offs can be pretty easy to fall for, so be wary!
A lot of vintage luxury clothing will have a label of authenticity in them. Figure out what decade or season the clothing is from, and search the internet for the item. You may find the piece online somewhere, with information on where and when it was made.
You should also search for information on the brand during this era. What did the brand label look like when this item of clothing was supposedly made? What sort of clothing were they making? Take time to look at the brand logo online, and on the garment, you are purchasing.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions!
If you are in-store and are eyeing up a luxury-looking garm, don’t be afraid to ask the people who work there about the piece. If it is a designer brand, those that work at the shop should know at least something about where it came from and the history of the piece. They might also know more about how to identify and prove its authenticity.
Similarly, never shy away from sending the seller messages online before buying the garment you are interested in. This is particularly important if you are using a marketplace-type website or app to buy the item from. People can post anything on these websites and apps and claim them to be luxury. Ask them for more information and pictures of the garment before buying it.
Know The Quality
When we wish to buy luxury clothes, we are looking to purchase items that are built to last. Just like shopping in high-street stores, shopping for high quality second-hand items can also mean you buy clothes that fall apart after a few wears.
If you are in store, examine the garment closely for damages or weaknesses. Because second-hand clothing has been previously worn, there may be issues in the item’s quality. There may be weaknesses in the fabric that means it will break when you wear it.
Read the care label to learn about the fabric that the piece of clothing is made out of. This will give you a better understanding of if it is luxury or not. Luxury clothes are often made out of silk, lace, cotton, velvet, and leather. Synthetic fabrics are found in vintage clothing, but will typically be found in cheaply made garments.
Find Your Luxury Vintage Outfit Today!
Shopping vintage can be pretty overwhelming when you first get into it, and you might sometimes get confused about what is luxury or not! However, these top tips on finding luxury vintage mean that you can feel more confident next time you hit the shops.
Your next luxury vintage outfit is just around the corner, get searching!
