Some tips for all of you deal lovers out there!
- Bring CASH. Many places don’t take credit cards, and particularly flea markets.
- Check the hours – seriously. Many shops are volunteer-run, or have shorter hours just because they’re smaller. I have been known to go to a shop during my lunch break because it closes at 5 pm!
- Know your measurements. Vintage shops often size by S, M, L, which can be completely subjective. I am usually in a weird size at vintage places – my shoulders are too broad, my arms too long, and my hips too wide. Knowing measurements saves you a lot of time in the dressing room. Here are some very in-depth guides:
- http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2013/01/vintage-clothing-sizing-101.html
- http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2011/12/list-of-clothing-measurements-i-never.html
- *Note: These links are very detailed. To make it simple, know your bust, waist and hips. That’ll get you most of the way there!
- Bargain. You can do this at flea markets, but not usually actual stores.
- Wear slip-ons or flip flops. That way you can easily try on shoes and not have to tie, zip, or Velcro (?) your own shoes!
- IF you can remember, wear nude underwear. Although, I gotta say, if I can see my underthings through the clothing, I am not buying it. No matter what I may think might change with different underwear, don’t do it! Slips can only do so much.
- Don’t think you can alter/fix something. I have had a few occasions where I bought something thinking, “oh, ’tis but a flesh wound,” and I can easily fix/clean it, but that almost never works. If you’re good with repairs, go for it, but it doesn’t work well for me.
- Think solid. Meaning – try to buy solid colors. I am not a huge pattern fan, and honestly, it’s hard to match patterns. If you’re poking around a thrift shop and you find a sky blue solid print shirt, chances are that you’ll have something it’ll go with at home. That same shirt with a pattern? Not as likely.
- Why did they get rid of it? I ask this as a cautionary tale – remember, many times things are given away because there is something wrong with them – odd color, shape, size, whatever. If you notice that when trying it on, DON’T BUY IT. You’ll get rid of it too. Always think about why someone might have gotten rid of something. You’ll have better luck with this at consignment stores, for sure!
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