LIVE24SEVEN // Fashion, Health & Beauty
A Buyer’s Guide TO COLLECTING VINTAGE FASHION
Vintage clothing has never been more in fashion; it’s chic, unique and often cheaper than its modern-day counterparts. Today there are countless outlets selling everything from twenties glamour to eighties retro! With an endless array of choices, it’s time to go vintage and create a look guaranteed to turn heads.
When it comes to vintage fashion, there are two types of collector: firstly, the style gurus and trendsetters who are looking for something that nobody else will be wearing and secondly, those who buy to collect a slice of fashion history. Whatever the reason for going vintage, the pleasure of finding a unique piece can bring untold pleasure and excitement, as new life is breathed into a classic piece.
There’s a great deal of debate over what’s vintage and what’s antique. Put simply, vintage fashion is clothing, shoes, bags and other wearable accessories from the 1920s or later. Prior to that date, we fall into the realms of antique textiles and ‘period’ clothing.
Couture garments were made to fit the measurements and requirements of a specific client. One couture dress could take three weeks to produce and would have been as beautifully finished on the inside as it was on the outside.
Ready-to-wear items, otherwise known as pret-a-porter, were mass-produced and reflected the designer’s key trends each season. They were bought off the peg and were therefore far more affordable.
So where to start and what to buy? Well a century of fashion has created a kaleidoscope of colour, shape and styles, so here’s a rough guide to some of the
most popular areas in collecting 20th century fashion.
THE ROARING TWENTIES Ever since The Great Gatsby burst onto our screens, the super sleek and stylish glamour of the 1920s and 1930s has become a must-have for collectors and fashionistas alike. Some of the most collectable looks of the 20th century include the beaded flapper dresses of the 1920s and the sensuous bias-cut silk gowns of the 1930s.
Naturally, designs from the 1920s are hardest to find, as they were often made from delicate fabrics that damage very easily and have often not stood the test of time. Knee-length gowns were de rigeur, when women were encouraged to bind their busts in order to attain a boyish figure. Simple drop-waisted shift dresses from the Twenties can still be bought, however these pieces don’t come cheap! A good chiffon day dress or cut velvet evening gown can cost anything from £200 to £400. A beaded flapper evening dress in perfect condition is a considered investment, with a top quality example encompassing a dramatic design costing anything from £300 to £1000.
Moving on to the 1930s, hemlines dropped to the floor and womanly curves were shown off in bias-cut fabrics. Eveningwear featured stunning silk and satins, covered buttons, the glitter of lurex and built-up shoulders. Thirties daywear and evening gowns are easier to find, with daywear starting from as little as £100 and eveningwear a fraction more, dependant on the style and size. Keep your eyes out for couture pieces,
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