| Buying vintage or resale clothing is very chic and green | | | | influences future care. Will the garment hold up to |
| nowadays, but before you go out on a clothing | | | | dry-cleaning? Are you willing to give a garment made |
| treasure hunt, keep the following points in mind, or the | | | | of lace, velvet, or wool the tender loving care it needs? |
| money you spend on that stylish sixties velvet jacket | | | | What about style? Unless you're buying for a theatrical |
| may be money down the drain. | | | | production, is the style timeless? Is it something that |
| Condition is the most important factor to consider. | | | | can be worn season after season, like a trench coat, |
| Look carefully for tears, holes, stains, pilling and | | | | or does it have dated elements? (Think 1980s monster |
| discoloration. Most reputable resale and vintage stores | | | | shoulder pads.) |
| won't accept clothing that has those kinds of problems, | | | | Finally, clothing sizes have changed over the years and |
| but smaller issues may have been overlooked. Check | | | | clothing nowadays is cut more generously than before. |
| the inside seams to see if the stitching is coming apart | | | | In addition, a garment you find may have been originally |
| and definitely check underneath the lining if possible. | | | | purchased outside the country with a completely |
| Stabilizers, the interlining fabric that helps jackets hold | | | | different sizing system. Bottom line-try it on before you |
| their shape, can disintegrate or fail if the garment hasn't | | | | buy. |
| been laundered properly. It's also worth mentioning that | | | | The value of your vintage dress or resale jacket is |
| a garment with any kind of smell, moth balls or other | | | | subjective. But even though the initial price may be |
| unmentionable odors, should be avoided. | | | | cheaper than buying new, make sure it's worth your |
| Another consideration is the type of fabric, which | | | | investment. |