Anyone know of any sites for vintage clothing for a student budget?

Bee2000 · Oct 13, 2009

Hello everybody,

I have been looking for a site that sales vintage clothing and I have been lucky to find a few via friends on the net. All the sites that I have been in to have great stuff but I have been wondering. If anybody know any sites that sales vintage clothing for a more student budget? Or better yet clothing that I could wear everyday. A lot of these sites that I have been on were for nights at with your friends, boyfriend or girlfriend and not for everyday.
I wish I knew how to sew.

These are the sites:
www.mybabyjo.com
www.pinupgirlclothing.com
www.whirlingturban.com
www.howcool.com
www.luckyloushoes.com
www.daddyos.com
www.beqiclothing.com
www.bettiepageclothing.com
www.modemerr.com
www.modcloth.com
www.berniedexter.com

KittyT · Oct 13, 2009

Well, first of all, all the sites you've listed sell modern repro clothing, not vintage. For vintage, you're just going to have to be patient. Check your local thrift stores regularly. Check Ebay - prices are pretty good right now because few people are buying anything at the moment. Other than that, regular websites that sell vintage probably aren't going to be your best bet, although you haven't defined what "student budget' is and what sort of prices you're willing to pay.

Slytherin · Oct 13, 2009

I've the same advice than kittyT . For my part i bought all my clothing on ebay or in triftstores, never in shop like those in your lists. Sometimes i order repro to a tailor when i want a special clothing like my two last suits. But the shops you link is not really repro too. It's in the spirit but in a modern way. This is not vintage, it's just trendy. Hope you will find your way...

KittyT · Oct 13, 2009

Just remember.... when collecting vintage, patience is key!!!

kowalskt63 · Oct 13, 2009

Lucky find

I stumbled upon this site not too long ago. I've already picked up a beautiful 50's era wool overcoat for only $25. Great service and quality. The inventory doesn't roll to much so I'd just suggest visiting like every couple of weeks. Hope you enjoy!
http://www.vintagevanitiesclothing....v71_U1MdUgkwX-RECGPZ3N9XOmA7LhToMCrd1l8n1NYX8

ThesFlishThngs · Oct 13, 2009

Dandelion Vintage is a place worth checking from time to time. She usually updates weekly, on a Sunday or Monday, and has a wide range of prices. You can find basic blouses, skirts, etc. for a nice price, though price will reflect condition of course.

http://www.dandelionvintage.com/

C-dot · Oct 13, 2009

I'm a student on a budget aswell. With repro, which can be expensive, quality over quantity is the key - I've got one or two staples for each season, and I wear them to death. The rest is vintage inspired, or bought from independent rockabilly designers (There are tons of them at The Clothing Show.)

As for vintage, I save them for nights out and special occasions. Not only are they hard to find and bank breaking (demolishing

), they often are too fragile to stand daily wear.

bettylovekitten · Oct 15, 2009

Also try www.etsy.com

they have all types of vintage goodies

KateSpenser · Oct 16, 2009

Or you could (if you don't mind repro) purchase a sewing machine (Walmart-Singer for $89) and learn to sew everyday pieces then look for quality vintage pieces on the other websites to supplement.

Bee2000 · Oct 18, 2009

I love these sites in price they are a lot better then some of the site I have seen. Thanks guys

Lady Day · Oct 27, 2009

If by student budget you mean cheap, there are no go to sites. Check the sticky at the top of the forum for most of the vintage selling sites we here visit, but:

1) If you are new to vintage, its all going to be at least some what pricy.
2) By 'student' what type of budget are you looking to have?
3) Do you want vintage or repo and Kitty T pointed out by the types of things you listed in your first post?

Something else to consider is which era you are looking for as 30s will be harder to find than 60s.
If you are just starting out, Id suggest transiting your wardrobe with classic pieces (things from Target, and even Walmart) until you develop your eye and can spot a good vintage find in a thrift store or boutique. We have a college student starter wardrobe thread around here, check that for some advice on what classic looks will work.

It often takes a lot of time and hunting to find a bargain (something we here love

) but you will want to equate how much time you are willing to go looking vs what you are willing to pay.

Where you are in the country/world is also a factor. You many have access to some choice places. Scope out the local stores first, see what they charge. Visit thrift, church and charity shops, see what they charge. Check out estate sales if you can, see what they charge.

Thats all I can think of now.

LD

Dutchess · Oct 27, 2009

My advise is to start looking for affordable classic pieces from regular shops like Target as Lady Day mentioned above. Cardigans, jackets, dresses, pencil skirts, whatever. Then dress them up with vintage accessoires like a purse, hat, jewellery, gloves and scarf. Just to get into the mood before buying the real stuff. This is what I do, also because it is so hard to find vintage pieces my size (46 Dutch/European size). But I'm patient and sometimes stumble upon a nice piece in a thrift store.

CherryRed · Oct 27, 2009

When looking in Target be sure to look at the Merona line. They often have great sweater sets, vests, and cardi's in solids and argyle. Merona also has cute vintage dresses too.

C-dot · Oct 27, 2009

It's remarkably more easy to find classic or vintage inspired staples in modern stores than one would think. Example:

Beret: Le Chateâu.
Jacket & pencil skirt: Dynamite.
White shirt: Old Navy.
Seamed stockings: The Bay (Sears for USA).

The only item I didn't purchase new were my shoes, which I bought that day, but the shoes I wore to that sale were from Payless: black & white polka dotted flats, American Eagle label (of all things!)

One vintage item I have never skimped on are hats. The right vintage hat can make any repro or modern classic outfit look vintage aswell.

RobynLe · Oct 28, 2009

C-dot said:
It's remarkably more easy to find classic or vintage inspired staples in modern stores than one would think. Example:

Beret: Le Chateâu.
Jacket & pencil skirt: Dynamite.
White shirt: Old Navy.
Seamed stockings: The Bay (Sears for USA).

The only item I didn't purchase new were my shoes, which I bought that day, but the shoes I wore to that sale were from Payless: black & white polka dotted flats, American Eagle label (of all things!)

One vintage item I have never skimped on are hats. The right vintage hat can make any repro or modern classic outfit look vintage aswell.

Precious photo!! And I love Target's clothes, I get tons of my clothes from there. That's great advice.

LoserVonTeese · Jul 11, 2010

try overstock .com, ross, there's tome of vintage inspired clothing and of crouse my fave THRIFT Stores!!!

Valya · Jul 12, 2010

KateSpenser said:
Or you could (if you don't mind repro) purchase a sewing machine (Walmart-Singer for $89) and learn to sew everyday pieces then look for quality vintage pieces on the other websites to supplement.

I would not recommed the Walmart Singer. I used to have one, and I had to get rid of it because it constantly jammed for no apparent reasons, all the parts are plasitc, and it is not generally very good quality. I suppose if you take up sewing lightly and do not plan on using it for anything drastic it would be alright. I just found it to be a pain. If you really want to learn to sew clothes, it is worth investing in a better machine for a slightly higher price.

lareine · Jul 12, 2010

Valya said:
If you really want to learn to sew clothes, it is worth investing in a better machine for a slightly higher price.

Or a vintage machine, which will also be better, for a lower price. Old black Singers often sell for next to nothing, and they are way better than the modern plastic ones.

Lady Day · Jul 12, 2010

Thy this thread too.

LD

Amy · Jul 20, 2010

I agree that lots of 'vintage style' clothes can be found anywhere. It's all about the shape, the fabric, and how you put it together. I usually wear pencil skirts with scoop-neck jumpers (sweaters) and cardigans, and they're all modern because I haven't found vintage ones that fit me as well yet. I might sew some pearl beads around the neck to add interest, add a thin belt to cinch in the waist a bit, or change modern plastic buttons (if it has any) for something more vintage-inspired. Generally, I decide on the shape I'm looking for (pencil shirt, wrap dress, circular skirt), and try to find that look in modern shops. Makes the laundry much easier too, as most of it goes in the machine!

I find accessories tend to last longer than the clothes themselves (if looked after properly), so I keep a good stock of little handbags, scarves, sunglasses, gloves and hats to add colour to my basics and pull the look together.

I save money by buying basics in classic colours (black, navy, cream, white and red) that tend to work together, and will not buy an item of clothing unless it works with at least five other things in my wardrobe!

In the UK, we have shops that re-sell second hand clothes for charity (think you call them thrift stores?), and this can be a good place to find accessories, brooches, etc. Usually very cheap, too, as the shop owners have deemed them 'unfashionable'! On occasion I might find vintage stockings, or even powder compacts.

Anyone know of any sites for vintage clothing for a student budget?

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