Collecting Vintage Fashion

Vintage Clothing has never been more in fashion. You can get the perfect 'one off' outfit at a fraction of the price you would have to pay for a designer garment. Even Hollywood A-listers, like Kirsten Dunst, Reese Witherspoon and Sienna Miller have been spotted in charity shops picking up the odd bargain.

What is Vintage?

The term 'vintage' applies to clothing, shoes, bags and accessories from the 1920s onwards. Items that stem from before the 1920s are considered to be 'antique'. When buying vintage clothes you would distinguish between Couture and mass produced garments, often referred to as 'off the peg' or the French pret-a-porter. Nowadays the majority of vintage clothing offered in charity and second hand shops would be of the mass produced variety and can be had for as little as £30 or $60, depending on condition.

A vintage designer garment would cost considerably more, with some of the more popular designers selling for £1,000 or $2,000 upwards. The price of Ossie Clarks 1970s dresses went through the roof after an exhibition at the V & A Museum in London in 2004. 'The Golden Age of Couture' exhibition is starting in September at the V & A, celebrating the work of couturiers working in Paris and London between 1947 and 1957. The exhibition will include the designs by Hartnell, Givenchy and Christian Dior, including his famous 'New Look'.

The 1920s and 1930s

The key garments of this period are the beaded flapper dresses of the Twenties and the wonderful bias-cut silk gowns of the 1930s. It is rare to find 1920s dresses in good condition, because the fabrics were very delicate and easy to tear. If you do find a piece in good condition you can expect to pay around £400 or $800. One of the classic beaded flapper dresses in good condition would set you back about £1,000 or $2,000.

While the 1920s hemlines were around the knee, the 1930s hemlines were almost floor length and the dress was cut to show off the figure. Evening dresses were made in stunning silks and satins. These fabrics have stood the test of time better and they are easier to find. Expect to pay around £300 or $600, while a couture piece would cost around £1,000 or $2,000. The daytime dresses are often in floral fabrics and a dress in good condition would cost around £60 or $120.

The 1940s and 1950s

There is a good range of 1940s style clothing on the market and a number of UK dealers travel to the US to buy American 1940s women's clothing, because it was more colourful and glamorous than the UK equivalent, which was restricted by wartime rationing. Wool skirt suits with pencil skirts sell for around £200 or $400 and day dresses can be had for as little as £40 or $80. The fashions of the 1940s and 1950s are great if you have a curvy figure, which the nipped in waist and defined shoulders shows off to perfection. The 1950s printed cotton dress is often popular in the summer - look out for the Horrocks label - they produced floral dresses that are timeless and will always be in fashion. Expect to pay at least £90 or $180, but they often go for a lot more. Non couture 1950s day dresses can be bought for around £50 or $100, while evening dresses sell for around£200 or $400.

The 1960s

Bold colours and simples lines sum up 1960s fashion, in both daytime and evening wear. Modern man-made fabrics in red, orange and pink were the order of the day, while necklines were often embellished with crystals or coloured glass. When buying these garments make sure that there are no stones missing, unless you can have it restored. 1960s fashion is very cheap to buy, probably because it is tricky to wear. Non couture 1960s fashion sells for less than £50 or $100. Sixties labels include Pucci, Cardin and Courreges and would cost upwards of £200 or $400.

Accessories

The cheapest and easiest way to introduce a bit of vintage glamour into your wardrobe is a vintage handbag. A good leather handbag can be had for as little as £40 or $80. If you are looking for a vintage designer bag try the auctions. Christies regularly include labels such as Hermes in their sales at a price of £200 - £300 or $400 - $600.

Shoes can be tricky, as they should really be tried on, but as this autum's trend is for block heals, try the 1960s and 1970s fashions and expect to pay around £50 or $100.

Vintage silk scarfs are wonderful and the quality of the silk is far superior than anything you can buy nowadays. You might be lucky and find a Liberty silk scarf - expect to pay upwards of £50 or $100.

Where to buy

Check out any vintage or second hand shops in your locality and also the Vintage Fashion Fairs. Visit your local Auction Rooms and check out the online vintage shops and auctions. And last, and not least, look at the vintage section on eBay where you will have a huge choice of vintage clothing at very good prices, especially if your passion is vintage bags.