Lessons I Learned from Wearing Vintage: Quality Over Quantity

 

I think the hardest lesson I have learned about collecting vintage for the purpose of wearing it is that it is more important to focus on quality over quantity. When I was just getting started in collecting vintage, I bought almost anything I could because I was afraid that was all I would ever find, and I didn't have much and I figured something was better than nothing. Since then, I have (obviously) found a lot more vintage and have learned that quality is way better than quantity. If you are just getting started yourself, don't buy the first thing that you see unless you absolutely LOVE it, as my aunt would say, to the "third power". Don't buy damaged items unless you know you will repair them and know without a doubt that you can indeed repair it. 

Let me tell you a little story about myself and hats. When I was getting into vintage, finding hats was really hard, especially hats that I could afford in my little budget. So, when I found hats dirt cheap, I scarfed them up fast. As long as I could afford them and they were wearable, I bought them and figured out what to wear with them . . .well, last.   Long story short, I was after quantity and really, I should have been after quality. Why? Because in the end I only had a couple of hats that I actually could wear.

 What was a bunch of cheap hats really wasn't so cheap anymore because I had more hats that I really couldn't wear when compared to those I could.  Looking back on it, I wish I had planned ahead better and bought a few expensive hats rather than a lot of cheap hats. Learn from my error and plan your wardrobe and invest in a few excellent hats more than a lot of cheap ones. Over time, and you will learn this yourself; your collection will grow. And instead of having a LOT of awful hats you will have a beautiful collection of curated hats that are all very wearable and amazing on you. Collecting and wearing vintage is a lot of fun but remember, there is a lot to be said for choosing quality over quantity. 

Not all vintage can be saved. . . Sometimes you can get great pieces of vintage for a small price tag if they need repairs or something. Well, that only works if the garment can be repaired. Not all can be. I remember when I found this gorgeous gown. I loved and the price was right. It needed a lot of repairs to the lace and netting. I was able to repair the netting and lace after hours and hours of restoration work. Was it worth it? Well, I had to retire the gown this year because I could not keep up with the repairs. I was able to wear it to two events before retiring it, and I can still wear it for photoshoots but that's all. this gown was worth saving but it had a very short-lived life. When you are looking for vintage to wear that needs repair work, ask yourself these questions:

• Will the repairs hold up? 
• How many repairs are needed and how long will they take? 
• Once the gown is repaired, how long can it realistically be worn?
• Do I have the skill to do the repairs?
• Is there another garment that costs the same but is in better wearable condition? If so, that garment may be the better buy.