The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping: Insider Tips, Helpful Hints, Hip Shops - Softcover

Fortier, Melody

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594744041 ISBN 13: 9781594744044

Publisher: Quirk Books, 2009

Synopsis

From fashion boutiques to flea markets, the hunt for vintage clothing is on! With this savvy guide tucked in your handbag, you’ll be ready to hit the streets. 

Vintage clothing offers couture quality at a fraction of the price. But how can you spot a Dior original in a rack stuffed with Little Black Dresses? Vintage-clothing dealer Melody Fortier demystifies the entire process so you’ll know just what to look for, what to avoid, and what to pay. The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping shares insider tips for evaluating quality, selecting problem-free pieces, ensuring the perfect fit and silhouette, and caring for your unique finds.

About this title

About the Author

Melody Fortier has been collecting and selling vintage clothing since the mid-1990s. Her store, Tangerine Boutique, is located in Gardner, Massachusetts, as well as online.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Vintage. The word itself evokes curiosity from most people. When asked what I do for a living, I reply, “I’m a vintage dealer.” I often hear responses like, “That must be so much fun” or “Ooh! I love vintage!” Yes, it is fun. But more than that, it is my passion. I have watched the world of vintage
fashion evolve from youthful experiment to a full-fledged fashion niche, attracting fans from every age group and walk of life.
     Why? What is it about vintage that holds the interest of so many? The reasons are myriad. For me it began as a love of creating from textiles. I was a hat maker and dressmaker first, with a background in sculpture. I found vintage to be a rich source for studying unique design, beautiful materials, and skillful techniques. I also learned early that beautifully crafted clothing is a joy to wear, and vintage is often superior in this regard. Vintage also provides an intimate connection with our history, an element of nostalgia. It is a rare area of fashion where the person on the street creates the trends instead of following them.
     Vintage is filled with choices, and there are lots of great places to find it, so buying just the right piece can be overwhelming and at times a little confusing. This little guide will help you through the process and answer all your questions. It will address the what, why, where, and how of vintage
shopping. Along the way, I’ll explain how to make smart economical purchases and how to care for your treasured vintage to make it last.
     Everywhere I go I meet vintage enthusiasts. Some are seasoned old timers like me, but many are eager newcomers. This book is intended for both. I hope you enjoy it and learn from it, but most of all I welcome the chance to share my passion!

Edition details

• Publisher: Quirk Books
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1594744041
• ISBN 13: 9781594744044
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 190