Budget Fashion Top Tips:
1. Check your purchases carefully
Vintage clothes are rarely in mint condition. So to avoid disappointment, always check your purchases over carefully before you buy them. Most charity-run stores do not have refund policies.
Here’s what to check for:
Missing buttons. And watch for loose buttons as well, because they may fall off unnoticed after you have done your checks.
Broken clasps: examine every part of jewellery and belts to make sure they still work.
Stains: Search every part of the fabric. And be aware that some stains are too old and engrained and won’t come out… ever.
Faulty zippers: This is a disaster waiting to happen because the zip may get stuck and you have to be Harry Houdini to escape.
Also, check the care labels. Some clothes are dry clean only, so this may add to the final price.
Top Tip: A lint remover can make a jumper look like new again.
2. It’s the fit that matters, not the size
When you’re vintage shopping, you generally encounter a huge assortment of sizes, from international to old fashioned sizing. In vintage clothes, you may not be a size 12-14, you may be a 10 (don’t you love it!). Or alternatively, you might be a size 8, but you could fit into ‘XL’ sizing.
So forget the sizes and just go with what fits. If it’s too tight, don’t buy it. If you go against this rule, I can tell you what happens. One day, you’re at work when the button bursts on your skirt. Then, you’ll have to hold your skirt together with a paper clip and pray it stays up…
Top Tip: Be prepared for wardrobe malfunctions; attach a safety pin to your key chain. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
3. Shop smart and safe
When you plan your second-hand shopping trip, make sure you are wearing clothes and shoes that are easy to take on and off. Also, watch your valuables at all times (remember my handbag was stolen from a changing room when I put it on the floor next to my feet).
4: Seize the moment
If you find the perfect outfit, buy it on the spot. In my experience, the outfit is long gone when you come back the next day (or even 15 minutes later). Or if it’s not sold, it can be impossible to find again.
Top Tip: Sometimes sales staff will hold the item until closing, or for 24 hours. But be careful, once I witnessed a fight between a sales assistant and an irate customer. It turns out the customer had arrived to pick up an item (which she’d paid for), but it had disappeared… possibly resold.
For more: The Salvos’ Fashion With A Conscience site has second-hand shopping tips and fashion to admire.