HOW TO FIND SOME GEMS AT YOUR LOCAL FLEA MARKETS & SECONDHAND STORES
Over the past couple of years, the vintage clothing trend has been booming.  It seems to be all the rage from the glam divas, to the punk rockers, vintage fans are popping up everywhere.  My own personal experience with vintage began as a child. Mom was always a smart bargain hunter.  Her style philosophy for her children was to find brand name and designer items at rock bottom discounts. So, the hunt was usually through the clearance racks at Macy’s and other fine department stores. The hunt also included second hand stores. You can find so many great items at secondhand stores. I remember my mom finding a boy’s Lacoste polo shirt for my little brother. The shirt still had the tag on it. What a find.

Anyhow, the vintage ‘look’ is all over the fashion runways and the stores. I will tell you how to get authentic vintage merchandise and what to look for.  You can really come out on top is you aren’t afraid to haggle with the seller. 90 % of the time you can get the item for the price you offer. There could be a pair of Ferragamo shoes from 20 years ago for $10, talk them down to $5. You can really come out on top is you aren’t afraid to haggle with the seller. 90 % of the time you can get the item for the price you offer.

One important thing to remember is to not wear vintage head to toe.  The best dressed women most times mix and match. They can be carrying a Chloe Paddington, wearing a 60’s vintage top, Antik Jeans, and ballet flats from Payless Shoe Source.

So remember to do a little research. Go to the stores and look at websites like Nordstrom, barneys, just to name a few. Think about what you like and make a list. Instead of paying retail, look up ‘secondhand’, ‘flea markets’, and ‘thrift stores’ in you Local Yellow Pages.  There might be an upscale area that has some stores; they have the most brand name and designer clothing and accessories. The flea markets have one special quality that no other venues offer…YOU CAN NEGOTIATE THE PRICE!  Don’t forget eBay…Go to the eBay stores page and in the search type in “Vintage”. Any stores offering or with the word Vintage in it will pop up. There’s so many undiscovered treasures on eBay, find yours today.