by Samantha Gray
[This guest post is by Samantha]
We all know that green fashion can sometimes be a little pricey. For ladies still feeling the brunt of the recession or the college student who hasn’t made it into a full-time job yet, vintage clothingboutiques offer unique items at lower prices.
Purchasing vintage and resale fashion is another form of recycling, and it doesn’t take any manpower or chemicals to recycle a fabulous retro garment. All it takes is a little bit of time and creativity. Oh yeah, and a little bit of money.
If you’ve never shopped vintage before, you may be reluctant to try it. My first experience with vintage shopping was when I tagged along with my college roommate to the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores so she could find quirky vintage tees.
I’m not generally patient enough to treasure hunt through thrift stores, so I hop right on over to vintage boutiques or resale clothing shops. These stores generally have a specific set of buying guidelines and can sometimes offer alterations.
Vintage shopping presents a few challenges to those who are accustomed to shopping in a more organized store. Because there are no visual cues to help you build your outfits (mannequins, advertisements, and displays are sparse), the best plan is to do a little research before you dive in. Not only will this give you a direction, but it will help you appreciate the different styles.
Research fashion trends across decades so you will be familiar with styles beyond the millennium. You may already be interested in an iconic celebrity or two who will point you in the right direction. Edie Sedgwick, Audrey Hepburn and Twiggy are my go-to gals for inspiration in vintage looks.
decades.
But even Zooey can look like she’s going to a costume party every now and then (sorry, love!), which brings me to the next challenge of vintage shopping. Sometimes vintage clothing can be so bold and overpowering that it looks overdone. You should always wear your clothing. Your clothing should never wear you.
Finding the balance between something borrowed and something you is a huge part of the fun of vintage shopping. Etsy, eBay and other online resale shops are a great way to search certain looks with vintage specifications. Remember, vintage shopping requires a whole lot of sifting through the good and bad; but you’re exercising your fashionista skills while helping the Earth! Yay, you!
Happy shopping!
Samantha Gray is an expert in online education and a freelance writer. Pursuing an online bachelor's degree is often fraught with myths and misconceptions. Samantha shows her readers the way. She wants to hear your feedback and ideas, too,
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