Customer Reviews

The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

There's no doubt about it, clothes have changed an awful lot and that is part of the reason why shopping for vintage clothes is so popular.

But along with the changes in clothes is a lack of knowledge about fabrics, fit, and different types of clothing. Add to this the many places where you can buy vintage clothes and the variety of prices and conditions and you have the need for a book like this.

Written by the owner of a vintage clothing store, this little book is an introduction to this confusing world. While the information in it won't be surprising to those who know and love vintage clothes, it's comprehensive enough that someone new to this subject can go into a vintage clothing shop and know what to look for, what is there and how it might fit.

Another great thing about the book is the way it puts clothing in context of time periods, shapes and colors. I found this one of the most useful sections of the book because it allows the reader to look for and recognize clothes of particular periods.

This book won't make you an expert on vintage, but it will go a long way towards making you comfortable exploring this rich heritage of great and unique clothing and accessories.

This book lives up to its name of The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping: Insider Tips, Helpful Hints, Hip Shops.

At 7" by 5.25", the book is small enough to fit in all but the smallest purses so readers can easily take it with them on vintage shopping excursions. However, the light color of the cover and its fabric-like material mean that it could get dirty fairly easily (from an uncapped pen, for example) if the inside of one's purse is anything other than pristine.

The opening pages of each of the nine chapters are beautiful replications of colorful fabrics. There are also color photos of vintage clothing and accessories throughout the book but unfortunately not many are labeled so the reader doesn't know the brand (if there is one) or sometimes even the era in which the item was made. For instance, in the chapter on The Dating Game that attempts to teach readers how to date a vintage item, there is a photo of two coats in the section on buttons, but no caption to inform readers of what era each of the coats represent.

The first chapter, Vintage Defined, goes over terminology (vintage versus antique versus retro) and the difference between haute couture, couture, budget designer, and other terms to describe vintage clothing.

The second chapter, On the Market, discusses quality and craftmanship (which is better in many articles of vintage clothing than today's ready to wear fashions), categories of clothing (dresses, coats, separates, etc.) and what to think about as you shop for them. It covers the various places to buy vintage items (flea markets, vintage boutiques, and the internet) and the benefits and drawbacks of each. I found one tip in this chapter particularly noteworthy: make sure to try vintage clothing on even if it merely hangs on the hanger. The author explains that many contemporary brands are designed to look good on hangers, not necessarily on us. In contrast, designers in past eras designed clothing to look good on real people so it does not always look its best on hangers. I also liked the suggestion to ask locals and even contact the chamber of commerce when you're traveling to find vintage shops.

The third chapter, the Styles of the Times, is my favorite. The author presents a fascinating overview of the style from the 1800s to 1920s thru the 1990s and puts fashion in a socio-economic context (such as the effects of wars and the stock market crash on fashion). There is a page of silhouettes which depicts every decade from 1900 to 1980 to help the reader visualize the changes from decade to decade.

The fourth chapter, the Dating Game, attempts to explain how to date an item by silhouette, tags, buttons, zippers, general construction and fabrics. Age is important to determine value and how to care for vintage clothing. There were some helpful tips (such as how to determine whether a button is made from Bakelite or celluloid) and also the recommendation to visit the Vintage Fashion Guild website for further information (and even to submit questions to Guild experts for free advice).

The fifth chapter, Sizing It Up, explains that past sizes are considerably different than current standards. I found it interesting that a 1940s size 12 dress would be smaller than today's size 4. There is a helpful depiction of how to take measurements (both front and back) which you should take with you when shopping for vintage clothing. There is also an overview of how designs from every decade from the 1920s through the 1980s was intended to fit (such as fitted sleeves and low waistlines) and how to determine if they fit a shopper properly (such as that a neckline is too tight if you can't comfortably slip two fingers between your deck and the garment). There are also some tips about how to determine if a vintage garment could be altered successfully.

The sixth chapter, Labels and Pricing, describes the five tiers of labels upon which the author bases prices for her boutique (Budget/Brand Name Ready-to-Wear, Private Dressmaker/Homemade, Better Name and Boutique, Designer Ready-to-Wear, and Couture). There is a retail price guide with fairly broad ranges of costs for items in eight categories (coats, day dresses, special-occasion dresses, hats, shoes, handbags, lingerie, and separates). I would have liked to have seen a lot more labels included by era as the author did not provide many examples.

The seventh chapter, Condition & Care, provides tips to fix common problems such as musty smells, stuck zippers, and fabric flaws as well as how to care for and store your vintage finds. The author identifies those conditions that are difficult, if not impossible, to fix so you know when to walk away from a vintage item. She also explains how to identify the material (for garments without labels) as this is important to determine how to clean it.

The eighth chapter, Finishing Touches, covers accessories such as shoes, hats, scarves, gloves, aprons and jewelry. The author explains what to look for as far as condition and how to care for these items to keep them looking their best.

The final chapter, Altered States, describes very briefly when and how to repurpose a few vintage items (such as a long skirt into a shirt or dress).

The author provides a list of vintage shops by state (with addresses and phone numbers) as well as shorter list of shops abroad. I noticed that other reviewers expressed disappointment that there was not a list of websites of vintage sellers, but four vintage sites are provided in the Expert Tip sections throughout the book, and there are many more on the website of the author's store, Tangerine Boutique, as well as on the website of the Vintage Fashion Guild. This book will likely be relevant for years so it makes some sense not to list websites that may or may not be operational in a few years.

The cover on this book is so neat, it reminds you of bygone times which fits right in with the subject matter. The author tells you how to tell what's vintage and what's pure trash (like polyester outfits). She goes into the quality of clothes of the past and tells how they were made to fit each individual versus small, medium and large now. A lot of old pictures of clothes and lots of tips where to shop...such as junk shops, vintage clothing stores in malls as well as online, flea markets, etc.

She even tells the reasons why older clothes were better made than today, like the thread quality, etc. She also covers how to remove like rust stains and ink from clothes so if you do find a great outfit but it needs work, then this book may help you revive that outfit! If you are into vintage clothing...wearing or selling, you will find this an invaluable guide and it's small enough to fit in your purse.

If you think you know the value of vintage clothes then google vintage clothing shops. There are a staggering number of them. This book prepares you with information on what to look for, how much to pay, and what to check for, the different designer names, etc.

At about 7 inches long, 5 inches wide and less than an inch thick, The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping by Melody Fortier certainly lives up to it's name. This "little guide" packs a lot of useful information into it's pages. The author, a professional vintage clothing dealer, makes a great case for collecting vintage clothing not just as a style statement, but because the quality of so many vintage pieces, even the cheap ones, are better than the new stuff you buy at the mall.

Fortier describes different categories of vintage clothing, such as vintage verses retro, to give you a better idea of what's worth paying top dollar for and pieces that should be bargain priced. While the author does mention several designer names worth collecting, the emphasis of the book is on how to identify high quality vintage pieces worth collecting even if their is no identifying information like a label.

One of the important points made in The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping is that just because something is old doesn't mean it's vintage or valuable. For the less valuable vintage pieces, Fortier gives some example of how altering and restyling the garment can make it more stylish. Another important point she makes is how shopping for vintage clothing based on the measurements of the garment is so much more reliable and accurate that shopping by size. This well rounded book also includes some general information on buying vintage accessories as well as tips for storage and cleaning of vintage garments. For anyone considering adding vintage pieces to their wardrobe, The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping is sure to be a big help.

Stephanie Ann, Author
THE CHEAP DIVA'S GUIDE TO FRUGAL AND FABULOUS LIVING: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!

I have been shopping at thrifts stores since I was a teen, always managing to discover great finds hidden among the racks. I have been wanting to now discover vintage clothing among my finds, as I am a huge fan of vintage clothing but didn't know where to start. This book has become my new best friend. First off it's small. This is helpful when you want to slip it in your purse and refer to it throughout the day or your shopping trip. The book is very easy to read. I really enjoyed the description of the different eras and the historical background behind the clothing. Great detail has gone into describing accessories and other extras to make your outfits complete. I was lucky that the stores mentioned in the back of the book to look for great vintage finds included several stores in my area. Overall this is a really great primer for those wanting to learn more about the topic and also a really fun read as well.

This little book is an excellent guide for anyone who is interested in vintage clothing, whether it be to wear or to collect. Fortier provides many useful tips for buying in a variety of stores, online or at auction, and she clearly knows what she is talking about.

While no one book can make you an expert at identifying vintage clothing and materials, this is a fine start. Fortier discusses how to date clothes by the type of closures and the labels, how to determine what fabric a garment is made of, what construction to look for, general rules of pricing and how to care for your vintage find. I appreciated the sections devoted to hats, shoes and other accessories, because, as a self-styled "accessory queen", I believe that these items lend the finishing touch to any outfit. (That pair of vintage gloves gives a certain "je ne said quoi" to any modern suit.)

One area that I haven't seen mentioned in other books on the subject is "reinventing" vintage. If a garment is damaged, or a very common style, Fortier sees nothing wrong with customizing and updating it, and shows several examples.

The only real quibble I have is that I would have liked more illustrations to supplement descriptions of technical terms. But overall, this is definitely a book I'd recommend for inclusion in the library of anyone with a serious interest in buying vintage fashion.

Vintage dealer Melody Fortier has written a handy little reference guide to finding, buying, and storing vintage clothing. The book itself is adorable -- about 5" x 7" with 190 pages -- and has a textured jacket. Despite its small size, it's a practical, comprehensive resource on all things vintage, from sizing to pricing, from materials to care and storage. This book would make a charming gift for fashionistas wanting to learn more about the vintage trade.

Fortier begins with quick but thorough review of commonly used terms of the trade and describes the main categories of vintage clothing (haute couture vs. better designer vs. tailor made). She deftly tackles sizing and craftsmanship issues, which at first seem daunting to newbies but is easily decoded. The sizing chapter describes how to take your own measurements; it also explains the cut and fit of each decade's most popular styles. The pricing chapter discusses quality, labels, and designers, and actually includes a price-comparison table with actual prices ranges. All of these tools will help you find the vintage pieces that most flatter you -- and get them at a price that's fair.

I most loved the chapter on Styles of the Times, which details the clothing and accessories from the early 1900s through the 1990s and includes a visual timeline of fashion silhouettes -- so fascinating! It's like a mini history lesson on fashion, complete with pictures, as told by your best girlfriend. I also enjoyed the chapter on date approximation (cleverly titled "Dating Games") because of its practical advice: Fortier tells you exactly what to look for -- tags, buttons, zippers, seams, linings, fabrics -- so that you can accurately date a piece, thus giving you more purchasing power.

Once you've purchased your vintage item, you need to know how to care for it. Fortier describes how to clean, press, and store your treasured vintage items. The book closes with a chapter on alterations and repurposing -- when (and how) to alter a garment yourself, when to have a tailor do it, and when not to do it at all.

The photos, which adorn nearly every page, are fantastic -- so rich, so detailed, you feel like you could reach through the page and touch the fabric. The book also includes a comprehensive topical index, a cursory listing of brick-and-mortar vintage shops (listed by state), and a brief discussion of online vintage shops. Highly recommended for the vintage newcomer and those interested in fashion history!

As a vintage dealer I read this book with some interest. This handy guide explains vintage clothing in a way that anyone can understand. Helping the reader date clothing though through silhouettes, zippers, tags, buttons and fabrics. That is where the book truly shines. While it doesn't give an item by item value it does better, than that shows you what dealers look for. Finding the value in any antique is about looking for the quality of an item. This book tells you exactly what to look for. It also includes information on removing stains and figuring out the differences between vintage and modern sizing.

What this book isn't -
a replacement for experience. The author suggest that you go out there and learn from dealers for good reason. There is no replacement for touching, seeing and learning in the field.

It is not a book to value jewelry. In fact the author should of stopped writing at chapter 8. Writing a few names of costume jewelry designers doesn't tell you anything about the value and worth of vintage and antique jewelry. That section was a loss. For vintage jewelry I would suggest Marcia Sparkles Brown, Lillian Baker or the Warman. That is just the tip of the ice berg in Costume. There is still sterling, gold and cameos.

It is not a tour guide of shops while it does have some shops in the back. Writing a conclusive guide to shops would require a book for each state.

Over all this book is worth getting and using on a regular basis. Buy it for what it is - a book that tells you what to look for in quality vintage clothing.

I have been fascinated by vintage fashions from the 1930s since my early teens. I used to visit little shops around town and just admire the craftsmanship and cuts of all the dresses. Unless it was labeled or the silhouette was distinctive, I sometimes had a hard time knowing what era the clothes I was looking at were from. This book is a true gem. I can't wait to go to some more shops and browse again with all the new knowledge I have of popular fabrics and prints from each decade. I loved the index of good stores in the back for all over the US and the world. It will definitely come in handy as I travel quite a bit. I appreciate the estimated prices ranges vintage items will go for that they included. Sometimes it's hard to know if you're overpaying or if the price is right on. Great book. Thanks!

First of all, the design of the book is adorable! The cover looks and feels like fabric, and the lettering on it looks like stitching. ;)
It was pretty cool to learn that the author is a vintage shop owner, so she knows what she's talking about in this guide. This book helps you to understand exactly what 'vintage' means, and I appreciated that the book devoted whole sections to things like figuring out how vintage clothing sizes differ from modern ones. Yeah, and there's even a section on how to clean your vintage purchases. Yay. Also,for someone unfamiliar with fashion terminology, Fortier devotes some time to talking about the differences between things like "haute couture" and "budget designer" clothing pieces. Pages 182-185 are a listing of some sources of vintage clothes. It's not an exhaustive list, but a good start to your 'hunt'. These were my favorite sections of Fortier's book.

If there is one drawback to "The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping", then it would probably be the simplicity and brevity. As a vintage newbie, I appreciated the brevity of the book's scope and clearness of Fortier's writing, but more seasoned vintage shoppers might find that this book is not enough for them.