As an owner of a vintage store that only chooses items I love and would wear myself, I understand the frustration felt when you want to wear something but just can’t fit it or you find a flaw that can’t be fixed?
If your issue is trying to find flawless items, my motto is always if you like it, get it, you can hide imperfections, sew them or get out some stains. However, some scents like cigarettes are never coming out so leave that! Sometimes the flaws even add to the look so why not flaunt them?
All flaws aside the main thing is finding vintage that actually fits as everything was smaller in former eras.
The women were in general a bit shorter, had smaller waistlines, and simply weren’t as voluptuous, especially in the hips and stomach.
For example, a size 4 or 6 dress from today would have been more like a 12 in the 1950s. Yes, the standard sizes have basically doubled!
So, how do you go about finding vintage when nothing seems to fit? Aside from pretty much always sizing up, here are a couple of things you can do to make your next vintage shopping trip go smoothly
How to find and fit vintage
Don’t be afraid to fix Flaws
If you noticed anything flawed with the item like a small stain, rip, or tear decide if it’s something that can be fixed by a tailor or yourself. If you think it can be fixed ask yourself is worth the investment?
Think outside of the box
Is there a small rip that you can simply patch or areas of ripped lace can always be swapped out for a different fabric? Is there a hole in the hem of a dress, would it look nice as a shirt. if there is a rip or hole think of other out-of-the-box ways to fix items?
Measure Everything
Never believe the tags on vintage items you should always try an item on.
If you can’t try it on, know your measurements and take a measuring tape shopping with you so you can check the time before purchasing.
Know Your Brands
The more you shop for vintage the more you will get to know what brands fit you like a glove and which may fit like a potato sack. This just comes with practice, and since practice is basically shopping who wouldn’t love that?
Buy Larger
Purchasing oversized or much larger sizes than you would normally buy eaves room for you to get the items tailored to fit your silhouette.
Shop Retro Stores
There are several stores that have vintage-inspired clothing. If you have a hard time finding thrift that isn’t flawed or in your size shop these stores, that while aren’t truly vintage are inspired by vintage silhouettes and styles
Looking for places to find great vintage?
Get the mini-mag where I give you three places to find vintage online.
