How do I tell if something is truly vintage clothing? / How do I determine if something is truly vintage?

You may have also noticed that goods have recently been advertised or sold as “vintage” that are not vintage at all, and that is only because they are currently selling well because of sustainability and so on. Super annoying because when I want to buy vintage, I don't want toxic mass-produced goods from China! But how do I tell if something is truly vintage?

The following tips can help you:

1. Labels and Branding: Check the tags, labels or branding on the garment. Research whether the label existed during the specified time period and whether it matches the brand and year of production. A snow-white label with a modern font, for example, is unlikely to be vintage.

2. Materials and workmanship: Examine the materials and workmanship of the garment. Vintage clothing was often made with high quality fabrics and careful craftsmanship. Pay attention to details such as seams, buttons and zippers. But in the past, synthetic fibers, especially polyester, were often used. And every now and then you can also find vintage pieces that are homemade. Not everything is always sewn perfectly there (no shade!).

3. Style and Design: Compare the style and design of the garment to typical features of the era. Research what fashion trends were popular at the time and whether the item of clothing corresponds to those trends. Things only get difficult when trends come back to life, such as the flared trousers of the 70s, which had a revival in the 90s.

4. Signs of aging: Check the garment for natural signs of aging such as slight signs of wear, color changes or slight wrinkling. These signs can indicate vintage authenticity. But just think about your ripped jeans that aren't vintage...

5. Expert advice: If you are unsure, you can contact experts, collectors or vintage dealers. They often have experience and expertise to assess the authenticity of vintage clothing. However, I understand if it's too much effort for you.

Let's be real: There is often a certain degree of uncertainty, especially when clear signs such as labels are missing. If you want to make sure that only authentic vintage pieces end up in your closet, you should look for good (!) vintage shops, online or offline, rather than Brockis or flea markets. Every piece is researched there before it is advertised as “vintage”.

What do you think about that? Do you have any other good tips?

Greetings, your Kate <3

You may also have noticed that recently, merchandise is being advertised or sold as "vintage" even when it's not truly vintage, simply because it sells well due to sustainability and such. It's super annoying because when I want to buy vintage, I don't want toxic mass-produced goods from China! But how can I tell if something is truly vintage?

The following tips can help you:

1. Labels and trademarks: Check the labels, tags, or trademarks on the garment. Research if the label existed during the specified time period and if it matches the brand and production year. Additionally, a label with modern-style writing on a vintage item is unlikely to be genuine.

2. Materials and craftsmanship: Examine the materials and craftsmanship of the garment. Vintage clothing was often made with high-quality fabrics and meticulous craftsmanship. Pay attention to details such as seams, buttons, and zippers. However, in the past, synthetic fibers, especially polyester, were commonly used. Occasionally, you may also find vintage pieces that are handmade, where the stitching may not always be perfect (no shade!).

3. Style and design: Compare the style and design of the garment with typical characteristics of the respective era. Research the popular fashion trends of that time and determine if the garment aligns with those trends. It can be challenging when trends resurface, such as the bell-bottom pants of the '70s that had a revival in the '90s.

4. Signs of aging: Inspect the garment for natural signs of aging, such as slight wear and tear, color fading, or minor creases. These indications can suggest the authenticity of vintage items. However, consider that even your torn jeans aren't necessarily vintage.

5. Seek expert advice: If you're unsure, consult experts, collectors, or vintage dealers. They often have experience and expertise in assessing the authenticity of vintage clothing. However, I understand if that seems like too much effort.

Let's be real: Some degree of uncertainty is often present, especially when clear indicators like labels are absent. If you want to ensure that only authentic vintage pieces end up in your wardrobe, it's advisable to rely more on reputable vintage shops, both online and offline, rather than thrift stores or flea markets. In those shops, each item is researched before being marketed as "vintage."

What do you think about this? Do you have any other good tips?

Warm regards,
Kate <3