Everybody is talking about it and you want to feel what it’s like, but where to start? You want to remember your first time because it was magical, not because you looked like you plundered your grannies wardrobe. To help you lose your fear to purchase vintage with no pain or embarrassment, this article will explain how vintage princesses purchase their bargain treasures.

1.  Shop Online

The best place to find flared jeans from the sixties, original flapper dresses and other historical clothes and accessories is the internet. People from all over the world try to sell second hand treasures on regular auction sites such as eBay, but there are also some very good specialist stores. An excellent example is www.vintagetextile.com, a reliable site that exclusively offers unusual items of museum quality. There are a myriad similar sites and it’s very inspiring to look at what they sell. Just make sure that the website is secure before you enter your credit card details. The url should start with “https” instead of “http” and your browser should display a closed lock somewhere. The exact location of the icon is different for each browser, but obviously not in the web page display area. The lock should reveal information concerning the site’s security if you click on it. The greatest advantage of shopping online with your credit card is that, thanks to the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you’ll benefit from a five day cooling off period. This act also states that, if you spend between £100 and £30,000 and something goes wrong, the credit card supplier and the retailer share responsibility to refund you for the entire amount.

2.  Make friends with thrift shop assistants

A great way to get good deals is by visiting local charity shops regularly and being nice to the people that work there. For example, you could make a habit of hopping into Oxfam on your way to work to check out the new deliveries. Subtly let the shop assistants know what you’re interested in. Next time they get something that’s perfect for you, they might be able to hold it back for you or give you a good price.

3.  Attend local events

Car boot and jumble sales are a great place for finding rubbish but if you’re looking for valuable vintage, attending them can be a waste of time. However, especially now that vintage is back in fashion, there are a lot of local events that are worth visiting. For example, for Londoners it’s worth finding the East End Thrift Store on Facebook and attending the monthly Thrift Shop Parties, where great offers and free drinks are available all night. West London is a great place for second hand shopping as well. Every Saturday, there are great vintage bargains on the Portobello Market, as even mentioned by Blur in the song Blue Jeans: “Air cushioned soles, I bought them on the Portobello Road on a Saturday.”

Did you know?

When shopping online, make sure the URL for the checkout page begins with https instead of http.  Https literally means HTTP Secure which is a combination of protocols that keep all your important information from being stolen .

-Deborah from DebbieDoesLondon.blogspot.com

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