Vintage Clothing

Vintage Clothing the LOUDEST conversation in Fashion

Resale shopping attracts consumers from all economic levels. There is no typical resale shopper, just as there is no typical resale shop. No one is immune to the excitement of finding a treasure and saving money. According to America’s Research Group, a consumer research firm, about 18% of Americans will shop at a thrift store during a given year. For consignment/resale shops, it’s about 15%.

The resale market is blossoming thanks to value and sustainable conscious consumers. As concerns over the environmental impact of fast fashion increase, consumers recognize the inherent sustainability factor of shopping resale. We are progressing from a disposable society to a recycling society—a change that has enormous market potential for the resale industry as a whole. After all, "Resale is the ultimate in Recycling!"

Vintage, it seems, is increasingly in vogue across the board. A study shows that last year, 64% of women were willing to buy pre-owned pieces compared with 45% the year before – and it is thought that by 2028, 13% of the clothes in women’s wardrobes are likely to be secondhand. And it’s not just clothing, “vintage” includes jewelry and accessories!

Aside from an increased awareness of sustainability, Vintage fashion fits neatly into the wider mood of the Instagram age, where authenticity and originality – not being seen in the same outfit as anyone else – are highly prized. What better way to stand out than to wear clothes few others are likely to own? Vintage naysayers who may have been put off in the past have begun to think differently.

But there can be blurred lines between secondhand and Vintage. Some say Vintage means any era up to the early 80s, while others see it as clothing that is more than 20 years old. It’s not cut in stone. It all comes down to the buyer and what they are looking for. The most important thing is that it’s recycled – it encourages people not to go out and buy more. It adds to the  sustainability factor that is so prevalent today and pushes us away from being tagged as a “throw away” society.

www.theguardian.com; www.narts.org

Is it Vintage or Antique Jewelry?

Vintage Jewelry: On the other hand, a piece of jewelry is considered “vintage” if it is between 50 years old and 100 years old. Unlike antique jewelry, vintage pieces are often worn and displayed, as they are less likely to break. Vintage jewelry designs are also easier to incorporate into fashion-forward outfits to create unique statements—as vintage jewelry designs are relatively current, easily paring with today’s hottest trends while adding an extra flair to any outfit!

Antique Jewelry: A piece of jewelry is considered “Antique” if it is over 100 years old. In general, antique jewelry is crafted with a superior level of craftsmanship from higher-quality materials, compared to modern pieces found on the market today. However, due to the relative scarcity and sheer age of jewelry by the time it can be classified as “antique”, the majority of antique jewelry is too valuable to be worn or at times even displayed.

Here is the general rule to remember: Something antique is also vintage, but something vintage isn’t necessarily antique. Vintage refers to something that is from an earlier generation. Antique refers to something that is over 100 years old.