Looking for vintage shopping tips? You’re in the right place.
A few months ago, my sweet neighbor Marilyn mentioned to check out a fashion exhibition at Bard College on the Upper West Side. She even slipped a brochure on it under my door: French Fashion, Women, and the First World War, it read. So, I ventured uptown one Sunday to see it. There, I was captivated by the garments from Coco Chanel to Jeanne Lanvin and memorabilia from postcards to newspapers on display throughout three floors.
I just so had vintage shopping in mind while strolling through the neighborhood afterward as I came across the Grand Bazaar on West 77th Street and Columbus Avenue. It’s a year-round indoor and outdoor market open every Sunday with local artisans and dealers selling everything from clothes, jewelry, art, food, and more. Needless to say, I was in wonderland! It’s a win-win if you shop, since profits from sales benefit four public schools in New York City, helping more than 2,000 children with funds for supplies, sports, and programs.
There, I came across a stand from The Umbrella Lady (whose real name is Casey Lane). The space is filled with colorful, one-of-a-kind umbrellas, accessories, and a rack of winter coats.
It was like stepping straight into Mary Poppins’ magic bag.
A long, deep blue vintage tweed coat caught my eye, and although it seemed a bit oversized, I had to try it on. It’s double-breasted with two outer pockets, a mink collar, black lining, and an inner label by Sycamore. I bought it for $85 and it’s one of the most treasured pieces in my closet to date. I love the thrill of a scavenger hunt for unexpected finds.
Over the years, I learned a quite a few vintage shopping tips and put together 5 key points as well as insight from Casey.
Here are 5 vintage shopping tips I learned over the years.
1. Dress Comfy While You Shop
The more comfortable you are, the longer you won’t mind sifting through racks and bins for hidden gems.
Remember to wear walkable shoes, too—you never know where the day might lead you. The Grand Bazaar itself has over 43,000 square feet to explore! I could spend a whole day there. “This market is full of wonderful people hawking their wares,” Casey says. “This is the first sale I’ve been part of that I’ve ended up on a first-name basis with people in the neighborhood, and often I get to hear about what they’ve been working on or their favorite era of vintage clothes.”
2. Examine Every Detail
Part of the secondhand charm is the character of each piece. However, old things are often flawed—some fixable and some not.
Pay close attention to details such as beadwork, fabric quality, handbag clasps, and zippers. The blue coat I got was in almost-perfect condition except for one loose button, but that was an easy fix with the help of a needle and thread. Thanks to my aunt for teaching me how to sew!
3. Determine Cost Per Wear
It’s easy to make an impulse buy, especially with vintage goods since many are one-of-a-kind. The little voice in my head always pressures me to buy something I like quick before it’s gone. BUT since living in the city, I’ve had to rethink my buying decisions to save space (it adds up!).
Now, I always consider the style of the piece, how many times I’ll actually wear it, and if it’s worth the cost.
4. Find a Trusty Dry Cleaner
For instance, I once bought a hot pink dress from the ’80s, shoulder pads and all. It’s silk—so off the dry cleaners it went. Vintage means pieces that are older than 20 years (but younger than 100 years old) so it’s hard to know where it was before it landed in your closet. Find a dry cleaner in your area that can take care of any fabric from any era.
5. Consider Alterations
Aim to find pieces that are true-to-fit or larger when vintage shopping. Bigger sizes can usually be altered to fit, which isn’t always the case for smaller sizes. Many dry cleaners also have alterations services so if you are (or are ready to become) a regular vintage shopper, see if your go-to spot offers deals for repeat customers. The right fit makes all the difference.
Bonus Vintage Shopping Tip: Be Open to Unexpected Finds
Casey grew up in the dampest parts of Oregon, where ironically nobody ever uses umbrellas. It wasn’t until she moved to New York that everything changed. “The thunderstorms here are glorious—buckets of water falling from the sky—so I went looking for a strong umbrella,” she says.
“I found that they used to use twice the spokes on umbrellas in the ‘40s-50s, and they were made with such beautiful fabric. I was hooked.” She let her creative side run wild and opened a business selling vintage umbrellas and beyond. In conclusion, serendipitous moments just might spark inspiration during a vintage shopping trip.
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You made a good point when you said that you must pay attention to beadwork and fabric quality when shopping for vintage items. My husband and I are actually interested in shopping for vintage clothing and antique items that we can display at home. We definitely want to choose items that can last for a long time and won’t easily lose their value, so we will consider your tips.
Hi Tammy, glad to hear you found the tips helpful. Hope you and your husband find some unique, quality pieces while vintage shopping! —Wendy