| No matter what we think and what our fashion | | | | A mass-produced label, size tag, machine-finished |
| preferences are, one cannot deny that the world of | | | | seams are the typical characteristics of the |
| fashion is influenced by the designs and fashions of | | | | ready-to-wear clothes. |
| the past. Over the last years the collection of couture | | | | Identifying haute couture vintage |
| and designer-made vintage clothes has become an | | | | - a couture item will usually have an inventory number |
| important trend in the collection and antique industries. | | | | on a small label, which is located next or behind the |
| For the person who is interested in collection of | | | | designer label. These labels used to be handwritten |
| vintage, and especially for the one who is willing to | | | | with ink, therefore they have been often faded over |
| make deals online, it is important to know the ABC's | | | | the time. The inventory number lead to the account |
| and definitions. One of the most important reasons to | | | | number of the specific client who ordered this piece. |
| get to know these ABC's is the fact that these | | | | However the labels were often removed from a |
| definitions are often misused by the online traders. | | | | garment, it the client traveled abroad and was afraid |
| Vintage versus antique | | | | of having to pay import/export duties. It is in any case |
| Clothing produced in the period between 1920s though | | | | important to familiarize yourself with specific designer |
| the 1980s is normally referred to as vintage. Some | | | | labels, which are normally made of fine silk. |
| important items from the 1990s also fall into this | | | | - the sophisticated construction details is another way |
| category. | | | | to determine the value of the item. You should look for |
| Dresses and accessories made earlier than 1920s, are | | | | the distinguished quality of fabrics, fine silk linings, |
| referred to as antique. | | | | hand-stitching, beautiful buttons and hand-bound |
| Designer vintage category continues to expand with | | | | buttonholes, fine zippers set in by hand, tiny |
| years, together with a growing interest to specific | | | | fabric-covered snap fasteners, as well as the overall |
| designers and historical time periods. | | | | quality of design and craftsmanship. |
| Vintage haute couture versus ready-to-wear | | | | - One of the best ways to identify haute couture is |
| The definition haute couture applies to a garment | | | | examine the finish to it from inside out. French seams |
| ordered specifically by one client from a design house, | | | | are an indication of a fine craftsmanship. In this case |
| which is made exclusively by hand for that specific | | | | the seams were turned in, as the garment was |
| client. The term "vintage haute couture" is often | | | | constructed, and the end result would show no |
| misused by the vintage traders. A few expensive | | | | selvage edge to the fabric. Hand-finished linings are |
| couture items find their way to the vintage market | | | | also indication of a labor extensive work on the |
| through the charities. However, the most valuable | | | | garment. |
| vintage pieces can be bought via auction houses or | | | | - As far as the embroidered items are concerned, |
| exclusive vintage clothing boutiques. | | | | couture garments used to be embroidered by hand. |
| As a matter of fact, the most exciting thing about | | | | The hand-made embroidery can be identified by |
| collecting couture vintage clothes is that every dress is | | | | examining the thread. Fine silk is used in |
| unique. | | | | hand-embroidered garments. The more fine thread |
| Ready-to-wear vintage dress is more easily located, | | | | identifies the more refined craftsmanship. You have to |
| because more of these clothes used to be produced. | | | | examine carefully the reverse side of the fabric to |
| The prêt-a-porter (ready-to-wear) garments are | | | | spot the hand-knotted ends, which is the indication of |
| made by a fashion house and distributed for the mass | | | | hand-work. Sometimes you would need a magnifying |
| consumer via specialty boutiques. Most of the vintage | | | | glass for this kind of examination. |
| pieces found in the vintage boutiques and auctions are | | | | Collecting designer-made vintage clothes is a latest |
| ready-to-wear designer vintage. | | | | trend, but also the way to acquire the dresses of the |
| Identifying ready-to-wear vintage | | | | highest quality to achieve the hottest look. |