Investing in some vintage pieces is a great way to dress sustainably, as vintage garments have been handed down the generations and are made to last – in sharp contrast to today’s throw-away clothes culture.
Not only are vintage clothes better quality than many of the clothes available today, they are also more unique, significantly cutting down the chances of you turning up at a party in the same dress as someone else.
I’ve featured several vintage shops and fairs on here but it occurred to me a shopping guide may be useful, as vintage clothes shopping can sometimes be tricky.
Split Ends Vintage stall in Cardiff Fashion Quarter
What exactly does ‘vintage’ mean?
The term ‘vintage’ is bandied about a lot but what actually constitutes vintage clothing?
Vintage clothing refers to clothing from a previous era. Clothes from the 1920s until 20 years before the current era are generally considered to be vintage. So, clothes made in between 1920-1990 are considered vintage today.
What’s the difference between the terms ‘vintage’ and ‘antique’?
Antique items are older than vintage items. Generally, items dating pre-1920 are considered to be antique.
What does ‘retro’ mean?
Retro items are something different again. Short for ‘ retrospective’, retro clothing usually refers to clothing which replicates the style of a previous era.
Where’s the best place to buy vintage pieces?
You can buy vintage clothing and accessories from a range of places, varying from specialist vintage shops and fairs to charity shops and even jumble sales and car boot sales. You are more likely to snag a bargain at a jumble or car boot sale. However, vintage shopping at these places does require more time and effort searching through stock but, if you are persistent, your efforts will usually pay off!
Where’s best to go vintage clothes shopping in Cardiff?
Some of the best places I’ve found in Cardiff include:
– The charity shops along Albany and Wellfield Road
– Cardiff Fashion Quarter (CFQ), Womanby Street
– The Pumping station, Penarth Road
Accessories on offer at the Pumping Station
– Jacobs Antique Market, West Canal Wharf
–Oxfam Boutique, St Mary’s Street
Oxfam Boutique
– Hobo’s, High Street Arcade
–St Mary Street market every Saturday
– Buffalo Boutique, upstairs in Bufflao bar on the last Monday of every month
A model on the catwalk show at Buffalo Boutique
-Northcote Lane market in Milgi, City Road on the first Sunday of every month
-The £1 jumble sale in Milgi on the third Sunday of every month
(I’m sure there are many more brilliant places I have missed, so if anyone has any more suggestions, I’d love to hear about them)
So now you know where to go, here are some tips to help you pick the pieces for you:
– Go shopping with an open mind and set aside several hours or even the whole day. You may not be sure about something on the hanger but love it once you’ve tried it on. This has happened to me on numerous occasions.
I wasn’t sure about this outfit on the hanger but loved it when I tried it on
– Try and find out a garment’s age – not only so you know what you’re wearing is the real deal but also, knowing the age of an item will help you look after it. Often, the seller will know the age of an item and can advise you on washing instructions etc…
– Labels can be a useful indication to help you age an item of clothing. Care labels on clothes were introduced in the early 1970s. So, if you find one of these inside an item of clothing, you can tell that it was made in the 1970s or later.
– Most clothes made before the 1950s were made by hand, so they won’t have any labels inside them. However, this is not a blanket rule and some clothes made before 1950 may have been made by a designer or shop and so have a label inside.
– A useful label to look out for when trying to date clothes is the ‘Utility label’ or the ‘CC41 label’, which was used as a result of war time shortages during and immediately after WWII. Clothes were rationed from 1941, as the amount of fabric and fasteners that could be used in each item was limited. This rationing was called Civilian Clothing 1941 (hence the CC41 label) and continued until 1952 when it ended.
The CC41 label on an item of clothing
-The style of a label may also help you date an item. For example, labels in clothes from the 1960s will usually be colourful and fun.
– The fabric used to make a garment can also be a clue to its age. Before the mid 1950s, most clothes were made from natural materials such as silk, cotton and wool. However, polyester was introduced in the mid-1950s and lycra items are usually reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s.
– Whether an item has a zip, and the material of the zip, can be important as zips weren’t generally used before the 1940s. Metal zips were used in between the 1940s and 1960s and plastic zips were introduced in the 1960s. However, while this is a general guide, use this indicator alongside the others mentioned above as, on some items, a metal zip may have been replaced later with a plastic one.
-Be careful with fur. Real fur was popular in previous eras and was not the taboo it is today. Many vintage shops will stock real fur items so just be aware of this and how you feel about wearing it. Make sure you stay well clear of fur from endangered animals, such as leopards, as the trade of their furs has been banned!
I hope these tips have been useful but, most importantly, vintage clothes shopping should be fun and provide you with the opportunity to stand out. So, the number one rule, regardless of everything else, is enjoy yourself!
Sustainable fashion Cardiff 