Esther Woo Vintage, vintage shopping tips

This summer I briefly introduced you guys to Esther Woo Vintage, the online shop with unique, affordable pieces. Well, I wanted to chat with the owner, Beverly Edmonds, and give you some vintage shopping tips from the woman who's made a career out of fashion."I've always loved "old stuff" and have been into fashion since I was very young. I've worked in retail for years and have been shopping in thrift stores for just as long," says Beverly. So a little more than five months ago, she started Esther Woo Vintage. The e-commerce site is fully stocked with funky purses, statement blazers, ladylike dresses, skirts and blouses.If you're a little unsure about vintage shopping {sizing, how to identify a vintage item, etc}, Beverly has some quick and easy tips.Q: How can you tell a garment is vintage? A: Zippers can tell you a lot about a vintage item. A metal zipper on a dress {versus a nylon zipper on a modern piece} can be an indication of an older vintage piece. Also, look for tags that specify a location. Most of these tags will mention a popular city or state. A union tag or "Made in the USA" label is also a good indication. The Vintage Fashion Guild is a great online resource for dating pieces.

vintage union tag

I love the joy of thrifting. It's not just the idea of adding a new piece to my closet but I actually like digging through bins and racks to discover a cheap, unique treasure. However, I understand not everyone shares that feeling. Some people just don't have the patience or time for it. Luckily, a few thrift and vintage stores let you shop online. Yup, you can score secondhand clothing and accessories from the comfort of your living room.

I briefly mentioned online thrift shopping as an option if you don't have any great stores in your area, but I decided to expand on it. Below are a few options to shopping thrift and vintage online.ShopHousingWorks.com Though Housing Works is based in New York City, their website let's you shop from anywhere. If you're specifically looking for higher end designers {Chloé, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg}, this is the site to check out for chic coats, dresses and more. You can buy items or bid on them eBay style.