1. Sizing

One fact that you should be aware of when collecting vintage clothing is that sizing has changed a lot. This is particularly important if you buy clothing online, as it avoids disappointment when your lovely dress or shoes turn out to be much too small! Always check the measurements first.

2. Condition

Textiles are not particularly durable, and vintage clothes may not have been kept in optimum conditions. So you may come across an otherwise lovely piece that has holes in it or needs cleaning. A small hole can be darned; a stain at the waist can be hidden with a belt. If you can't repair or clean it, leave it on the rack.

3. Signs of Wear

Occasionally you will encounter unworn or scarcely worn vintage garments. They may have been stored for decades, or worn a few times by wealthy owners. It's far more likely though that vintage clothing will show signs of wear. So be suspicious of clothing that's too pristine.

4. Good Pieces Cost

If you want to buy something that's well and truly vintage, be prepared to pay for it. A "Genuine 1920s dress" selling for $50 is nothing of the sort. A dress from that era will be a LOT more expensive, as not many will have survived so long. It'll also most likely need repairing.

5. Cleaning

Know what kind of care your vintage clothing needs. Most garments from the '60s, '70s, or '80s can be thrown in the machine without suffering. This is because they are made from man-made fabrics. Older pieces will need hand washing or dry cleaning, so be prepared for the bills.

6. Details

Pay attention to detail in more ways than one - learn about manufacturing and when certain features were introduced. Say you've picked up a '50s skirt. Does the garment have features that were not common at the time? This may indicate that it is incorrectly labelled.

7. Cultivate Shop Owners

Making friends with the owner of your local vintage store can be a great idea. Chat to them, and you may find out lots of useful information about the subject. They may also let you know when clothing you could be interested in is coming in to the store. So get chatting!

8. Why Are You Collecting?

Why are you getting into collecting vintage clothing? Do you want to build an collection as an investment? Or is it out of interest in a particular era? This will help you buy the right pieces. Investment pieces must be very carefully chosen, whereas you can be less discriminating if you're buying to wear.

Wearing vintage clothing gives you a window into a different era. In these days of mass market, throwaway fashion, the vintage queen will look different from everyone else. You need to know something about the topic, though; doing plenty of research will pay off. Are you into vintage fashion, or do you shudder at the thought of wearing "secondhand clothes"?