Vintage Means Value

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 before 1920. These usually run small 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.

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 looks 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.