The Hows and Whys of Vintage Clothes Shopping

Why Vintage?

Why would anyone want to wear vintage clothing? First of all, it's fun! When you wear vintage, you stand out from the crowd. The chances of someone else wearing the same exact outfit to that special event are slim to none. More and more high school girls are shopping vintage for dances and proms because it guarantees originality. Yasmine, a vintage clothing collector from Los Angeles, says, "I wear vintage so I can add a little something authentically retro to my clothing and not look the same as everyone else, which is difficult in style-conscious L.A.."

Vintage clothing is also nostalgic. Remember the good old days when there were party lines and soda shops? Me neither, but wearing vintage gives a girl the chance to experience a small part of history. In today's ambiguous world, it feels nice to pull on a crinoline and full feminine skirt once in a while. Let's face it: grown-up girls like to play dress up, too!

For the thrifty, the prices on vintage items should be incentive enough. Local thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales are excellent sources of old clothing at unbelievable prices. Broke? Go volunteer to help clean out grandma's attic! I've gotten several vintage pieces handed down to me since I began collecting about two years ago.

Online Shopping

The internet has made it easy for vintage clothing enthusiasts to comparison shop and buy items that may not be available in their area. Type "vintage clothing" into any search engine and you'll get hundreds of results. There are a few things you should know before purchasing vintage wear online, however.

Carol, owner of Dandelion Vintage, a fun and inexpensive online Vintage Clothing shop based in New Jersey, recommends that first-time buyers be aware of what it means to buy and wear vintage clothing. "It's not like something new and fresh from Macy's, it's going to feel different and smell differently (there is no "new" clothing smell) and the items do need to be treated a little more carefully," she said, adding that customers should always ask questions up front about the garments, especially if they are unsure of the size or condition. When shopping vintage online, she says, be sure to read the site's terms of sales, ordering procedure, and return policy before ordering.

There are many different styles and eras to choose from. Items from the late 19th century on up through the 1980's are available. Whatever your style, you're sure to find something to suit you. Carol suggests customers buy what they like and avoid following trends, which is excellent advice when it comes to collecting of any type.

Making it Work

Vintage clothing can be teamed up with modern apparel or mixed and matched with other vintage pieces. Back in L.A. Yasmine says, "I find that wearing head to toe vintage is just not practical in day to day life, but by adding a few pieces I can create a look that is uniquely my own. I often buy high-end designer shoes and team them with a $1.00 vintage dress and a Gap cardigan. The look is pulled together and definitely mine."

There you have it: vintage clothes are fun, affordable, and enable the wearer to create and maintain an original look. So what are you waiting for? Go shopping!

Excellent vintage pieces at affordable prices can be found at http://www.dandelion-vintage.com

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Cheap Vintage Clothing For Women - Best Places to Find Stylish Yet Low-Priced Womens Vintage Clothes

Cheap vintage clothing is a great option when you want to add some originality in your style for less. In fact, it's the least expensive and earth-friendly way to update your style.

Here is a list of the best places to buy low-priced, unique women's vintage clothes:

Ebay

Many people and different companies have discovered ebay as an inexpensive way to sell their vintage stuff. Be prepared fo bidding opponents. A lot of the vintage clothes at the different ebay stores are very unique in style and the market is oversaturated so you'll be facing a lot of competition.

A store often lists a garment as an auction starting at $10 but gets won for $50, which is expensive for those who want a bargain. Always go for Buy It Now items with a fixed price and that you can buy right away without having to wait for the auction to end. You can find heaps of vintage accessories at ebay, and most of them are listed as Buy it Now-items because they're easier to ship and because many buyers tend buy several accessories from the same store.

Online vintage stores

Some of my favorite online cheap vintage clothing stores are Vintage Vixen, Rusty Zippers and King Poodle. They offer hundreds of cheap vintage clothing for both men and women. Just google "Cheap vintage clothing" and a list of online stores will appear.

Flea markets and yard sales

They're excellent sources to find cheap vintage clothing. Just make sure that you get there early or else all the best and good stuff will be taken. Once they're gone, they're gone.

Thrift stores

There you can find vintage clothing for just a couple of bucks. A thrift store is basically ashop where you can buy clothes, accessories and other stuff that other people no longer want. Examples are Goodwill and Salvation Army. It's like a place where people donate stuff they don't want without receiving any money for it.

Your grandma or mom's closet

This is the least expensive, often free place to get your hands on vintage clothing and accessories. You can always volunteer to clean out their attic and you'll likely receive a couple of free stuff as reward. You can also dive in your mother's closet and browse through stuff garments she wore when she was younger. Thanks to my own mom, I've inherited lots of vintage costume jewelry that her mother gave her.

Learn more about how to buy and how to wear women's vintage fashion clothing at http://www.TheChicFashionista.com.

Anna Villaruel is a fashion writer and aspiring stylist & image consultant with a love for boho jewelry, classy garments, online shopping and anything chic. She loves writing and fashion, and has finally found a way to do both. Anna maintains an A to Z style advice and shopping website The Chic Fashionista with a growing newsletter list. Her site is updated several times weeks, giving her readers a regular dose of fashion and style. Visit her website for more chic fashion tips and shopping recommendations.

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ABCs of Buying Designer-Made Vintage Clothes Online

No matter what we think and what our fashion preferences are, one cannot deny that the world of fashion is influenced by the designs and fashions of the past. Over the last years the collection of couture and designer-made vintage clothes has become an important trend in the collection and antique industries.

For the person who is interested in collection of vintage, and especially for the one who is willing to make deals online, it is important to know the ABC's and definitions. One of the most important reasons to get to know these ABC's is the fact that these definitions are often misused by the online traders.

Vintage versus antique

Clothing produced in the period between 1920s though the 1980s is normally referred to as vintage. Some important items from the 1990s also fall into this category.

Dresses and accessories made earlier than 1920s, are referred to as antique.

Designer vintage category continues to expand with years, together with a growing interest to specific designers and historical time periods.

Vintage haute couture versus ready-to-wear

The definition haute couture applies to a garment ordered specifically by one client from a design house, which is made exclusively by hand for that specific client. The term "vintage haute couture" is often misused by the vintage traders. A few expensive couture items find their way to the vintage market through the charities. However, the most valuable vintage pieces can be bought via auction houses or exclusive vintage clothing boutiques.

As a matter of fact, the most exciting thing about collecting couture vintage clothes is that every dress is unique.

Ready-to-wear vintage dress is more easily located, because more of these clothes used to be produced. The prêt-a-porter (ready-to-wear) garments are made by a fashion house and distributed for the mass consumer via specialty boutiques. Most of the vintage pieces found in the vintage boutiques and auctions are ready-to-wear designer vintage.

Identifying ready-to-wear vintage

A mass-produced label, size tag, machine-finished seams are the typical characteristics of the ready-to-wear clothes.

Identifying haute couture vintage

- a couture item will usually have an inventory number on a small label, which is located next or behind the designer label. These labels used to be handwritten with ink, therefore they have been often faded over the time. The inventory number lead to the account number of the specific client who ordered this piece. However the labels were often removed from a garment, it the client traveled abroad and was afraid of having to pay import/export duties. It is in any case important to familiarize yourself with specific designer labels, which are normally made of fine silk.

- the sophisticated construction details is another way to determine the value of the item. You should look for the distinguished quality of fabrics, fine silk linings, hand-stitching, beautiful buttons and hand-bound buttonholes, fine zippers set in by hand, tiny fabric-covered snap fasteners, as well as the overall quality of design and craftsmanship.

- One of the best ways to identify haute couture is examine the finish to it from inside out. French seams are an indication of a fine craftsmanship. In this case the seams were turned in, as the garment was constructed, and the end result would show no selvage edge to the fabric. Hand-finished linings are also indication of a labor extensive work on the garment.

- As far as the embroidered items are concerned, couture garments used to be embroidered by hand. The hand-made embroidery can be identified by examining the thread. Fine silk is used in hand-embroidered garments. The more fine thread identifies the more refined craftsmanship. You have to examine carefully the reverse side of the fabric to spot the hand-knotted ends, which is the indication of hand-work. Sometimes you would need a magnifying glass for this kind of examination.

Collecting designer-made vintage clothes is a latest trend, but also the way to acquire the dresses of the highest quality to achieve the hottest look.

For more details and facts see http://www.famous-women-and-beauty.com/vintage-clothing-patterns.html

Tatiana Sidorova is the owner of the website http://www.famous-women-and-beauty.com

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There is much to consider and plan for in weddings held today. Weddings used to be simple ceremonies with Sunday best clothes. The ceremony and reception was often held in a bride's backyard.

There was food for the guests and a few photos were taken as well. It was a serious but simple affair that focused on the marriage act. Today, weddings have changed a great deal in many different ways.

Today's couple focuses on the marriage act, but also plans a party. The party includes a band, catered food, and venue decorations. A great deal of thought goes into all aspects of wedding planning.

Brides and grooms even carefully consider their wedding bands. The selection of wedding bands is very strategic with today's couples. This is due to the huge selection of wedding ring sets available.

Wedding ring designers have revolutionized wedding rings designs. Technology has allowed for the use of a larger selection of diamonds. These diamonds are cut in very meticulous ways to highlight the stone.

Wedding ring sets are made with many different setting options. The setting is how the diamond or diamonds are placed in the band. Thus, how the diamonds are laid out on the center of the band.

Wedding bands today typically have other stones in the band. These stones are placed on both sides of the center diamond. They are used to add more shine, sparkle, and interest to the band.

Many grooms select wedding bands with diamond stones in them. Theses stones can circle the entire band or stop halfway around. The size of the inlaid diamonds also is a factor in a final decision.

Wedding bands and wedding ring sets can be found online today. Wedding ring sets by top designers are sold on the Internet. This is a great way to get reasonably priced rings from top designers.

The website will have pictures of all wedding ring sets available. It is important for couples to really see what they are buying. These wedding bands will be with the couple for many many years.

In addition to wedding ring sets, vintage engagement ring is sold. A vintage engagement ring is offered by several designers today. Thus, brides have a very wide selection to choose from online.

A Vintage engagement ring is a ring with old world style and charm. However, the vintage engagement ring uses the best quality available. The best technology is also used to make the vintage engagement ring.

This allows a bride to still have a top quality engagement ring. A vintage engagement ring is a very unique choice, but elegant. Many beautiful ones can be found on a top jewelry website online.

About Us Genesis Diamonds is a leading retailer in engagement and wedding rings. They offer beautiful high quality diamonds at wholesale prices. Genesis Diamonds strives to provide the general public with wholesale prices of diamonds just as jewelers and designers would pay. In addition to wedding rings, they offer fine jewelry pieces of pendants, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and men's jewelry. Genesis Diamonds has top designer watches as well. To find out more, go to www.genesisdiamonds.net.

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Vintage clothes are not to everyones tastes but since celebrities and the fashionista have already discovered the delights that a vintage piece can bring, maybe its time to see what all the fuss is about. This article aims to set out our top five reasons to own vintage clothing and why it needs due consideration.

1.Finance,

Lets face it, fashion can be an expensive hobby, and this is where developing a taste for vintage can really help. With vintage clothing, you get more for your money allowing your clothes budget to stretch further than perhaps it would normally. Seasoned vintage hunters can tell you how easy it is to grab a bargain and get a whole outfit for the same price you might pay on the high street for one item.

2.Individuality,

You can be fairly certain if you choose to wear vintage clothing that more often than not; your look will mirror your individuality. You will not have to worry that someone else will be wearing the same outfit or indeed, being one of the crowd. Your own personal style will stand out, showing that you do not have to rely on current trends and are not afraid to follow your own path.

3.Quality,

Vintage clothes are usually of such a good quality that they really are built to last. Compare this to some modern clothing and it is easy to see how big the difference actually is. Many items of vintage clothing may have been stitched by hand and made with longevity in mind. This attention to detail really shines through to ensure that any piece purchased will last for many years to come.

4.Recycling / Environment,

Do your bit for the environment by going vintage. With so much waste being deposited at landfills around the globe, why add to it? Vintage clothes help to reduce this unnecessary wastage by recycling items that have often been loved and cared for.

5.Style,

Great style never goes out of fashion. Choosing to wear vintage is a statement and with trends constantly repeating themselves, for instance 60s and 70s styles, it is clear that vintage is cool. Even top designers take inspiration from vintage pieces so why settle for an interpretation. Buy original instead.

With all these good reasons to buy vintage clothing it is easy to see why many people do just that. The wealth of stylish items available (if you know where to look) is amazing and the rewards of finding something special greatly outweighs the time its takes looking for it.

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