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of its kind. Erin Houston, Wichita junior, has been shopping in vintage stores since she was in high school. She suggests allowing enough time to rummage through a variety of items in the store. "It's kind of like a treasure chest." Houston says. "You have no idea what you're going to find in there." Being patient is the key to shopping vintage because it can be time consuming.
AGE AND CONDITION
Michael Palladino, adjunct professor of the fashion department at Laboratory Institute of Management College in New York, says shoppers should consider the age and condition of the piece. "If I were looking for vintage now, I would look inside of the garment just as much as I'd look on the outside." Palladino says. He suggests examining the stylistic features and fabrics that were unique to that era. The 50s were known for full skirts and scarves, while the 80s were famous for neon colors and stonewashed denim. Since vintage clothing dates back to 20 years ago and older, the life span of the fabric depends on how well the previous owner took care of it. Inspect the clothing and texture for any holes or defects in the garment. If it's an accessory such as jewelry
or a belt make sure the stones or buckles aren't missing. It might be more difficult and expensive to find a replacement piece for the accessory.
SIZE
Palladino says the sizes and shapes of people have evolved throughout the decades, so size is an important factor. For example, he says during the 40s and 50s a majority of American women had a more ample figure with wider hips and a larger bust whereas women of today strive for a slimmer figure. Sizes vary from each decade and the number on the label might actually be a size smaller. Today, what used to be a size 10 is now a size 8. Don't be afraid to try on the garment at the store and ignore the size.
Vintage clothing can allow you to experiment with your current wardrobe and transport you to a different time and place. "Fashion is like a pendulum and vintage is everything that has happened before us," Palladino says. "For the college student that's looking for a unique way of expressing him or herself, vintage could be the solution."
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