Some people argue there's a certain type of woman who shops for vintage. In the world of Catwalk Creative Vintage, that couldn't be further from the truth. Women that want to look individual and who can visualise an outfit sourced from all sorts of decades and designers, love vintage. They long to be different - their style knows no bounds and they're the envy of fashionistas everywhere.

Why Buy Vintage?

If you are new to the term 'vintage' and would like to know what's so good about it - please read on!

Without question, most vintage fashionistas would say that the appeal of vintage, meaning clothing, accessories and jewellery over 20 years old, is all about the style, quality of craftsmanship, fabrics and colours.

I've heard a lot of talk recently about the demise of shopping ‘vintage’ but this simply isn’t true. Wearing vintage is so much more than a passing fashion trend. The popularity of vintage shopping will no doubt ebb and flow, just like it always has done. Despite what the younger generation might think (that’s people under the age of 20 years), wearing vintage is hardly a new phenomenon. Fashion conscious men and women have been drawn to the allure of ‘old clothing’ for decades, and it doesn’t look like the situation is going to change any time soon. It goes without saying that prices will fluctuate, vintage trends will come and go and designers will always look to past decades for their inspiration. However, quality vintage, whether it was made in 1932 or 1992, will always be desirable to those looking for something special. I hope you'll stop by Catwalk Creative Vintage and browse the 'rails' for something unique to add to your collection.

You can rely on Catwalk Creative to offer you the best wearable vintage pieces that work everywhere. I just love great clothes!

Visit my website today!

Without question, wearing vintage is good for the planet. There are no manufacturing processes that cause pollution and no slave labour involved. In an article published by The Observer in 2010, they say that ‘fast fashion’ is driven by consumer appetites. They also go on to confirm that the public loves fashion but they also dump two million tonnes of textile waste (mostly clothing) in landfill each year, which suggests they don’t value it. Consumers therefore end up with the type of fashion retail they deserve – rubbish, poorly made clothing! And therefore a new plan of action is required. Vintage is an eco-friendly alternative and can be a great investment too.

Wearing vintage is a great way to approach fashion and there are no age barriers. Whether you are eighteen or eighty, you can find a wide variety of designs from past eras which offer endless style opportunities. Wearing vintage allows you to be creative with your wardrobe and to develop your own style.

Furnish your home with vintage and retro homewares. It’s fun and rewarding to furnish your home with unique pieces that each has a story to tell. There’s an amazing variety of mid-century ceramics and glassware that are highly sought after by interior designers and the like – so why not follow their lead? There is something very special about homewares that have been previously loved. The gentle patina of age only adds to their beauty and elegance.

How to Buy Vintage Online

Shopping online is a relatively new resource for vintage shoppers and the main benefit is that you can access pieces from all over the world without leaving your home. Perfect for those who love vintage clothing but would rather rummage in the comfort of their armchair rather than though piles of clothes all bunched together with racks and racks of clothing rails.

However, individual sites are not always easy to navigate and some eBay stores offer poor quality photographs. If you want to be sure what you're buying, contact the seller beforehand. They should state if their clothing has been altered, but unfortunately this isn't always the case. Mini dresses weren't around in the 1950s so if you find a dress like this, alarm bells should start to ring! There seems to be a penchant for hacking off hemlines which is unfortunate to say the least. There's enough genuine mini dresses from the 1960s to go around for everyone, so why ruin the lines and structure of perfectly wearable vintage? And don't forget that not everyone wants to wear mini length clothes! In addition, there are many vintage clothes that have been very poorly hemmed. The only way you can make an informed choice about a purchase is to know exactly what you're buying. Sellers please take note!

Sizing can also be a problem if you can't try the garments on. However, good sellers will always provide full measurements along with clear and detailed photographs. I recommend you measure yourself and do it regularly. If you need help with sizing, please refer to my Vintage Clothing Size Guide.

Also make sure you are clear on the returns policy and if in doubt, contact the seller to ask for more information. You can be sure that a genuine seller with a sound knowledge of vintage, will only be too happy to help.

Be wary of inexperienced sellers who have a limited knowledge of the garments they are dealing with. They may purposely or inadvertently price their garments incorrectly because they haven't dated them properly. To a more experienced connoisseur of vintage, the fabric, cut and style of a garment are the easiest ways to identify what era it derives from.

There are certain characteristics from particular decades such as:

Drop-waisted dresses from the Twenties.

Tea dresses from the Forties.

High-waisted, full skirts from the Fifties.

Rounded collars on shirts (Peter Pan collars) are typically Sixties, as are empire-line dresses.

Psychedelic prints on polyester and other manmade fabrics are also from the Sixties.

Just like vintage boutiques, prices vary greatly from one site to another. A vintage garment purchased for £50 can be just as desirable and impressive as one purchased for £450. Pricing depends on lots of factors including whether the garment is labelled, the fabrics used, the condition of the garment, the age of the garment, and also how much the dealer has paid for it. Some dealers buy their stock from private collections so one shouldn't assume that all vintage is found in the local charity shop. Also, reputable vintage sellers will often spend time repairing, cleaning and generally getting the vintage piece ready for sale. All these factors should be considered.

When seeking out your vintage treasure, here are some things you might consider before making your purchase:

1) Will it suit your personal style?
2) Will the cut of the garment suit your shape?
3) Will it be easy to care for (dry-clean/hand-wash)?
4) Has it been shortened or altered from the original design?
5) How much are you willing to pay?
6) Does the manufacturing quality warrant the price tag?
7) Is it a labelled item or a collectors piece?
8) Will you wear it?
9) Do you love it?

60's Suede Cobweb Dress £450 60's Grecian Goddess Dress by Albert Nipon £65

Vintage (used) Condition

Wearing vintage clothing is a way of wearing history, so it goes without saying that most genuine vintage clothing has been worn before. Some wearing to the fabric is therefore inevitable. You are not purchasing a new garment and therefore need to be aware that fabric may have slight imperfections. You should be fully aware of any flaws or alterations before making your decision to buy. Always read the seller's description in full before purchasing or placing your bid. If you are in any doubt or would like to see more photographs, just ask. What have you got to loose? We all have individual standards and our expectations vary greatly.

At one extreme are perfectionists who only buy contemporary pieces that are, or look brand new and buy vintage garments that are in mint or museum-quality condition. More easy-going folk accept minor imperfections like a missing button, knowing that a quick once-over with a needle and thread will turn the piece into an absolute treasure. And finally there are people who don't mind a challenge, perhaps an experienced seamstress, willing to bring a garment back to its former glory. Most important is knowing exactly which flaws you yourself will tolerate, so that you don't make a purchase that you will later regret.

With all that information to hand, the aim at Catwalk Creative Vintage is to bring you the best quality, lightly-used clothing around. I hand-pick all merchandise and have very high standards. If a garment has a minor fault or imperfection, it will be noted clearly in the description. All merchandise is in lovely, wearable condition so there won't be any nasty surprises when you open your parcel. You may even come across a vintage garment that's NOS (new old stock) and therefore never worn before, some with tags still attached. These items don't come up often but you should still check for storage issues. Even brand new vintage can include flaws.

Catwalk Creative Vintage clothing is laundered and/or aired before posting out, so your garments will reach you in pristine condition and ready to wear. All you need do is put on your vintage lovelies and go strut your stuff. Perfect!

Vintage clothing is unique and special - that's why finding a real vintage 'gem' is so exciting.

Spread the love for vintage!

If you've enjoyed reading this page, please vote for it. Thank you!

Catwalk Creative Vintage is a proud member of the Vintage Fashion Guild (VFG)