Five Tips When Buying Vintage Clothes

Vintage clothes can be a fun, inexpensive and eco-friendly way to add some real style to your wardrobe. Though vintage clothes and accessories are often better made, and use higher quality materials, than many of the clothes we buy from regular stores, some vintage clothes can be hard to repair, alter and clean. Here are five tips that you should try to remember when shopping for those cool vintage shoes and garments.

Buy clothes that you can alter
All women know that the fit of an item is important. But somehow, when we walk into a vintage store and are so strongly drawn to items for their aesthetic appeal, our eye for fit often goes out the window. Clothes ought not just to fit but also to flatter a figure. If you buy clothes that will better suit you once you've lost that ten pounds you've been wanting to get rid of, make sure that you can alter them. Bear in mind that alterations can be expensive, and that it's easier to take clothes in than to let them out.

Think about Cleaning Costs
It's advisable not to get something that will cost a fortune to clean. Cotton, polyester, lycra and nylon fabrics can be machine washed pretty easily, and are also durable. But suede, wool, silk and lace  and any item that has a decorative embellishment - often the features of those vintage garments we like so much - ought to be dry cleaned only. Dry cleaning costs can be really high; ask advice from the customer assistant before buying.

Test that Accessories still work whilst still in the Shop
When You buy accessories, like purses and jewellery; check poppers and fasteners, as well as the clasps on earrings and necklaces to make sure that they are secure and not broken. The same goes for when you buy jackets, jeans or trousers, be sure to check that the zips don't get stuck

Check Leather Products for Wear and Tear
Many of us go to vintage stores to look for authentic, not factory-made, leather items. But, when you're searching for that perfect leather belt, handbag or pair of shoes check such items for wear and tear. Did you know that cracked leather cannot be restored? Be careful you don't buy something you're later disappointed by.

Where to Shop
Of course, seeking out the best vintage stores in town is a good way to go. But be careful not to too severely limit yourself when shopping for style. There are several high street stores that have vintage sections to them. Visit New Look's website for interesting vintage dresses, clutch bags and belts for example. In addition, New Look's wide selection of shoes include some great ankle boots, slouch boots and leather stilettos that are modelled on a vintage-style that help complete the look and they're all at very reasonable prices.