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

{Angelina Jolie in a $26 vintage dress from Wasteland} Last week I had a reader hit me up on a Twitter and she asked about vintage shopping tips. I've done posts on thrifting tips {like here and here} but vintage shopping is a bit different. {Jessica Alba in a vintage A-line dress from The Way We Wore} Vintage clothing is typically defined as garments at least 20 years or older so you need to be extra vigilant when it comes to condition of the pieces and sizing can also be a...