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Vintage is not about wearing things that are 'in fashion'. It can be about wearing clothes that are out of style so long as you're dressing well, dressing to please yourself and knowing when to let go of that batwing sweater (usually when the high-street stores pick it up)! It's also about knowing when to 'sell your soul' for the vintage Halston and when to decide that you cannot wear your moth-ridden cashmere twin-set any longer!
One of the soundest reasons to shop for vintage and recycled is that it's cool to be an eco-friendly fashionista. You can be sure your treasured garment hasn't been manufactured through sweat-shop labour and the environment is safer without the pollution caused from mass produced clothing manufacture.
In addition, what can be better than knowing you're purchasing the most dreamy merchandise that no-one else will have? You no longer have to save up months to own your very own unique creation. Simply shop vintage! You’re guaranteed that every piece of vintage merchandise sold by Catwalk Creative is a complete 'one-off' and therefore exclusive to you. That’s why shopping vintage is so exciting. You just never know what you’re going to find! It's never been easier to create your favourite look from the catwalk using a selection of pre-owned and cherished clothing. That’s how the name Catwalk Creative came about!
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.
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. There are stories of unscrupulous dealers passing off a Seventies imitation of a Forties' tea dress and shown it as an original. 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 not forgetting, how much the dealer has had to pay for it.
When seeking out your vintage treasure, here are some of the things you should be thinking about: 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) How much are you willing to pay? 5) Does the manufacturing quality warrant the price tag? 6) Is it a labelled item or a collectors piece? 7) Will you wear it? 8) 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 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 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 ONS (old new stock) and therefore never worn before, some with tags still attached. These items don't come up often and they'll be in wonderful mint condition!
Catwalk Creative 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!
Buying at Auction (on eBay)
How much are you prepared to pay? That's what it boils down to. The number of times people miss out on their 'dream' vintage dress simply because they've not placed their highest bid. Read more about how to bid here.
Vintage clothing is unique and special - that's why finding a real vintage 'gem' is so exciting. Don't miss out!
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