5 Steps to Hunting for Vintage Treasure & Striking Gold

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For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with vintage clothing. I used to babysit two boys in my neighborhood whose mother owned a vintage clothing shop and I would babysit in exchange for clothing, instead of money. In 8th grade, I wore a teal colored satin vintage cocktail dress to our formal dance when everyone else my age was just discovering Jessica McClintock dresses (do you remember those, tho?). And once I found this awesome striped t-shirt at Buffalo Exchange that I saw Ronnie Woods wearing in a Rolling Stones concert and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Unfortunately that t-shirt was stolen soon after.

The interest likely all started with my family’s affinity for flea marketing and antiquing. We totally love it. We have spent many a fall or spring weekend perusing the aisles, finding special pieces, and redecorating our spaces. I love going to these things with my family because we all have such a similar eye. We know exactly which booths to walk right by and which ones to dig into. So how do you know where to even start when you walk into a vintage clothing shop or goodwill? I would say it is quite overwhelming. Can’t someone go in there before me and just pick out all the cool pieces and then hand them over to me?

Have no fear, I am here to coach you through with a few pointers to keep in your back pocket. For starters, let’s just remember that there is a difference between vintage clothing and secondhand clothing. And I am just fine with finding either of the two! I have found that I gravitate more to secondhand these days, with my love for Poshmark ever growing. But these tips will apply to both types of treasures.

1. Be Inspired Before You Go

This first step is crucial. If you walk up to a massive clothing rack without a clue what styles and pieces you are after, you might as well turn right around. Are you looking for a totally boho look? Are you trying to recreate an outfit you saw somewhere or find a unique piece that is similar to a current style? Go on Pinterest, screenshot looks from your favorite bloggers, keep in mind that old show “The Look for Less” (loved that show).

After you’ve seen some inspiring images, make a list. When I went flea marketing last week, I did the same. My list included anything wicker, paint by number paintings, hats, clothing, and small decor pieces for my shelves. When I go to a clothing shop, I like to look for linen dresses or skirts, levis or wranglers jeans (can be cut into shorts), funny t-shirts (look in the men’s section, too), flannels, jean jackets, and super cool sweaters. Have a list on hand and target the sections you really care about. Bonus tip: check the “go-back” rack by the dressing rooms too. It’s a smaller selection that already caught someone else’s eye and maybe it just didn’t fit them right! Could be golden.

2. Assess the Condition & Know Your Price

Even if it’s the best thing you’ve ever seen in your whole life, if there is a massive stain on it or an unfix-able hole, you need to let it go. It will be sad but you will forget about it. Chances are the item has been washed a lot and that stain ain’t coming out any time soon! On the same note, if it needs to be altered or you think it is worth getting it fitted to you, how much are you willing to spend at the tailor? Do you absolutely love the item or will you be putting more money into it than it’s worth? I have gotten a bunch of dresses altered and unfortunately the majority of them have hung in my closet unworn. Bummer. If they don’t fit, have stains, or are in generally bad condition, bid them adieu.

3. Always Try It On

You will absolutely want to try on all of your finds before you purchase. First of all, if it’s truly a vintage piece whatever number is on the tag will likely not have any relevance to the size you think you are, based on current size standards. A lot has changed. Secondly, you never know if that tiny waist is going to fit you (man, their waists were tiny back then) or if the jacket is going to have weird short arms. If you are at a flea market with no changing rooms, wear a dress or a tank top so that you can slip on pants, skirts or shirts over top or underneath. If you think that the dress you found will need a belt, grab one from the rack to try out the look so that you don’t have to imagine what it would be like with a belt.

4. Indecision is No Decision

I have heard this phrase so many times in my life from my mom. Mostly used in regard to big life decisions, but should also be at the forefront of your mind as you look at vintage clothes. Basically if you don’t absolutely love it or you’re not head over heels for it, you will never wear it. On a deeper level, (the hidden lesson in today’s blog post, jk), if you are wrestling with a decision and just can’t come to a peaceful solution or make the big choice, there is a reason. Sometimes God uses unrest to tell you that whatever it is… it’s just not time for that right now. Very vague explanation, but very true meaning. Indecision is no decision.

5. Pick Out What You Love & Go With It

In the end, all of fashion is 100% about finding and wearing pieces that make you feel great. Sometimes you find vintage, love it, buy it, bring it home and you realize a couple months later that you will never wear it. Not the end of the world. Resell it! Someone else will love it. If you see a cheetah print bomber from the 80s or a questionable floral pattern dress from the 70s, don’t bother thinking about what is cool, make it your own. You only get one life, right? Make it fun.

Bonus! Here is a quick list of my favorite vintage shops in the Philadelphia area:

• Goodwill – Swarthmore, PA – Very hit or miss but worth a shot!
• Retrospect – South Street, Philadelphia – A little pricey, but they’ve got it all.
• Bulk Vintage Warehouse – Philadelphia – Talk about overwhelming but so much fun!
• Moon and Arrow – Old City, Philadelphia
• Vagabond Boutique – Old City, Philadelphia
• Jinxed – West Philly & Fishtown, Philadelphia – You can buy straight from their Instagram too!
• Buffalo Exchange – Center City, Philadelphia – A special place in my heart.

Happy hunting everyone! Hopefully these tips inspired you to get out there and try a new kind of shopping! Blessing in disguise, no one else will have what you are wearing.

xoxo,

jojo