There are those people who throw on their vintage finds without care and look effortlessly cool. (Looking at you, Charlotte.) Then there are the rest of us. So, when a reader recently wrote in, asking for advice on thrift store shopping, I knew I needed an expert and stat. I went to vintage reconstructor Bobette Cohn, who was in town at Nest for her trunk show last weekend, and our beloved Char from CharlotteWatch, who cleverly throws vintage pieces into her ensembles almost daily. Jump to see what they have to say.
Bobette says:
“Have patience and be prepared to dig through a bunch of junk.” She suggests setting aside plenty of time to sort through all the things you’ll see in a vintage shop.
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Charlotte says:
“Observation is key. I found a Christian Dior bag on a random table in a thrift store in Denton after who knows how many people walked by without seeing it.”
“Don’t go in searching for a specific item. I have found the more openminded I am, the cooler and more unique things I discover.”
Check the label. It can help you discern a few things:
a) whether or not the item warrants the price it’s given
b) how authentic the item is
c) how to care for the item (“For me polyester is a no go, which rules things out.”)
“Try the garment on, even if it’s over your clothes. You don’t know how it will look unless it’s actually worn.”
“Don’t be discouraged by minor signs of disrepair. Broken zippers and the like can be cheaply repaired and might be a factor in driving the price down. (It never hurts to ask!) Also, if the garment is well made, tailoring is always a option, especially if it is a piece that you will be able to wear forever.”
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I say:
If you’ve found a piece with fabric you love in a shape you hate, and you’re into sewing, why not try what Bobette does and rework garments into something more modern?
If you’re looking for vintage shops in the area, hit up the vintage and resale section of our shopping guide. Check back often. We’re constantly updating it!
Skip wearing vintage clothing and decorate with them! Get inspiration from Cath Kidston’s book, Brilliant Ideas for Using Vintage Fabrics in Your Home. I picked up a copy at The Gypsy Wagon.
