Thrill of vintage

Vintage shopping is not for the conventional. At least, that’s what junior Renne Payne said.

“There is weird stuff you can find out there,” Payne said. “You never know what you can find.”

There are many reasons why students opt for once-worn apparel. Oftentimes, there is the thrill of having pieces you won’t see anyone else on campus wearing.

That, combined with his love for his favorite sports teams, is why senior Dan Byrd wears vintage Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Larry Johnson jerseys and T-shirts.

“It’s not so much the vintage look, but it’s the fact that I can get that Chicago Bulls shirt and you won’t see a million people walking around with it,” Byrd said. “It’s a unique thing to have. You get a lot of compliments on them.”

Byrd has spent as few as $5 to $20 on jerseys — a small price to pay compared to modern counterparts, which can run as high as $40 to $80 and more.

The price of vintage clothing is what first appealed to sophomore Lauren Winn. When faced with a tight budget, Winn decided to start hitting up second-hand and vintage shops around Ft. Wayne, Ind. What once started as a way to save money has now turned into a thrill-of-the-hunt hobby Winn shares with her friends through blogging.

“Vintage clothing really sends a message to someone that you have a style that is your own,” said Winn, a fashion design major.

Winn said her wardrobe now consists of approximately 40 to 50 percent vintage finds. Some of her favorite pieces include a tribal print skirt she found for $1.50 at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, a black velvet coat she scored from a $5 bag and a blue 1950s day dress.

“The dress has a classic silhouette, and it’s in such great condition,” she said. “It cost $18, which is less than the cost of a new dress. I love the colors, and it makes me feel feminine.”

Payne owns two pieces of antique jewelry, and it still baffles her that they were once unwanted.

“A woman that my mom worked with gave my mom an intaglio necklace and ring,” Payne said. “When my mom asked if her grandchildren would want them, the woman just said that her grandchildren didn’t appreciate that sort of thing.”

The necklace and ring are both 24k rose gold and carved stone, and the necklace has a locket that contains a pair of photographs of a couple. The photos are more than
100 years old.

“It’s weird, because the people in the photos are not my family, so I don’t know anything about them, but it’s interesting that they’re photos of real people,” Payne said. “That’s what I love about thrifting — you can find really personal stuff.”

The necklace and ring are just two pieces of the small collection of vintage and antique jewelry and clothes Payne owns, alongside an antique coral necklace from Corsica  and many pairs of well-loved leather boots.

“I don’t own a single pair of new boots, but it doesn’t bother me at all,” she said. “Stores clean them up, and they smell great because it’s authentic leather for really cheap. I found a pair I wear almost every day that cost $15 in a St. Petersburg
thrift store.”

If fashion-savvy students are considering joining the sometimes time-consuming but extremely rewarding task of hunting for vintage clothes, Winn has some tips for their first trip.

Unlike shopping in ready-made apparel shops, more preparation is necessary before entering a vintage store.

“Look in unexpected places,” Winn said. “Racks in the front of stores have probably been picked over, and a lot of times women’s pieces can become misplaced because of the changes in sizes.”

If students find a piece they love but it doesn’t fit properly, the money saved by buying vintage pieces can go toward alterations.

“It’s rare to find something that fits perfectly,” Winn said. “You can get your clothing altered, but sometimes just by styling a piece and using different accessories, a piece can look like it’s from a different era.”

Finally, Winn said to keep fabrics in mind. “Stick with natural fabrics,” she said. “With cotton, wool and linen, if you take care of the piece properly, it stays nice.”

By following a few tips, the hobby, love and thrill of many students can be incorporated into anyone’s shopping regime.

“Vintage shopping makes me feel more attached to a piece,” Winn said. “There’s an element of mystery, such as ‘Why would anyone want to get rid of this piece?’ In my opinion, if you don’t shop vintage, you’re missing out.”