Question from Eris V Andal

Eris V. Andal asks: "Aside from the love of old clothes, are there any other advantages to wearing vintage? Is it cheaper to rejuvenate something old rather than buy something new?"

This is a tough question so; I’m going to answer it in sections. There are many different reasons and advantages to wearing vintage clothing. Firstly, there is the opportunity to save money. Buying thrifted vintage is usually much less expensive than buying newly made clothes. In addition you’re recycling what you wear. It’s a more ecologically sound practice than buying clothing produced in a factory. Vintage items also tend to be unique in that they are older, and usually one-of -a-kind items. It’s very nice to go out without having to worry if someone else will be wearing the same dress at the party. Another thing I really like about wearing vintage is having the opportunity to share my love of these gorgeous styles with people who ask “What are you wearing?”

As for the price aspect of rejuvenating vintage; that is dependent on many different factors. To simplify matters let’s stick just to clothes. First, what is the condition of the item you are seeking to rejuvenate? This is probably the most important thing to consider. Second, what skills do you have that can be used to rejuvenate this item? And last, how much time, money or effort do you want to put into this rejuvenation? Let’s examine a couple of different scenarios …..

1. You find a stunning dress in excellent condition. Little wear to the fabric, all seams intact and it fits you beautifully! It costs just $10.00! However, there is a fairly obvious stain on the skirt of the dress that will not wash out. Thankfully, you’re pretty handy with a needle. So, you decide to monogram your initials over the stain, hiding its ugliness and creating a special, unique touch. Since, you already do a lot of needlework you had the items on hand to do this and it cost you nothing but time. Bargain!


2. You find an adorable vintage skirt in a thrift shop. It fits you very well and just happens to be your favorite shade of green. However, the hem is very worn. It’s torn is a couple of places and should probably be mended if it’s to be wearable. The price is pretty reasonable, $5.99. Since you really don’t have the skills or sewing machine needed to fix it, you take it to a seamstress. She says for $10.00 she can rip out and re-hem your skirt. The total cost for you skirt is now $15.99. If you love the skirt and wear it frequently it may still be a good deal!

These are just some examples. There may be times when you find an item that is damaged beyond repair. Even if that dress is given to you for free is it really worth the 100 man hours of meticulous stitching it will take to make it wearable. Or how about that great sweater you bought for $1.00 but, still haven’t worn? Really, cost is personal. What may be worth it to one person, may be a loss to another.