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Vintage Clothing
A Basic Guide to
Vintage Clothing
By Diana Pemberton-Sikes
Vintage clothing.
Ten years ago, the words conjured up
images of clothing worn by your
grandmother when she was your age. But
in the last few years, vintage has
become hot, hot, hot as celebrities,
socialites, and more and more ordinary
women clamor to resale shops to take
part of this trend. Why is it so
popular? And why should you care?
Because vintage means value. You can get
great, unique clothing, often at
bargain-basement prices. All you have to
do is act fast and keep your eyes open.
The word "vintage" is bandied about so
much these days, you'd think that
anything that isn't current season is
vintage. That's not technically true.
There are several distinct categories of
secondhand clothes, including:
Antique--Generally, anything prior to
1920. These usually run small in size
and are made of delicate fabrics. These
are often bought as investment pieces to
display and not to wear.
Vintage--Clothing from the 1920's to
roughly the mid-1970's.
Consignment--Current or near-current
styles, usually less than three years
old. Some vintage pieces can and do end
up in consignment shops, particularly
handbags, jewelry, and shoes.
Thrift--A term usually applied to
clothes donated for charitable resale at
such places like Salvation Army and
Goodwill. May also apply to inexpensive
goods sold at flea markets.
Resale, Secondhand, Used--Catch-all
phrases for all of the above.
So what can you do with vintage clothes?
Here are a couple of ideas:
Special Occasion
Have a big social event coming up, like
a reunion, ball, wedding, or charity
function? Why not make an entrance in a
smashing gown from the 1930's? Or a sexy
number from the 1950's? This is one of
the biggest enticements for celebrities
and socialites. A head turning, unique
look at a bargain-basement price.
Costume
If you have a costumed event coming up,
wearing vintage clothes will lend
authenticity. Whether it's a costumed
ball or a period play, wearing clothes
from the era will make you feel as if
you've been transported back in time.
Income Opportunity
Want to make money buying and selling
vintage clothes? Try the online auction
scene. Online auctions are hot-hot-hot,
and you can profit from the fun if you
have an eye for a bargain and a few
hours a week.
The fastest way to get started? Take a
look at what's available on eBay.com,
then grab one of the many "How to Sell
on eBay" guides and explore all the
possibilities. Start with the vintage
clothing from
your own closet, then buy and sell other
vintage clothes you find in your town or on your
travels. It's a great way to make a
little extra money.
Vintage clothing is beautiful and unique
and can offer terrific value depending
on the piece. Vintage clothes are also a
cost-effective way to celebrate
yesterday's fashions while creating your
own personal style. If you want to know
more about vintage clothing, download a
copy of "Vintage Clothes" to learn more
about buying, selling, and identifying
antique and vintage garments.
About the Author
Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe
and image consultant and author of
"Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows
women how to transform their unruly
closets into workable, wearable
wardrobes. Visit her online at
http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com
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