Shopping For Vintage Style Dresses - A Guide For Beginners

any women have an affinity for clothing of a bygone era. The choice of fabrics, the cuts, the prints and the accents such as frills and ruffles hold a different charm. A diehard fan of vintage styles will sail through the shopping errand, but those looking to get their feet wet wonder what to choose and what to leave behind.

If you're a little skeptical about splurging on vintage clothing, you needn't be. This short article shares tips on buying vintage clothing the smart way.

1. Look in the right places -

Knowing where to look will not only save time but also guarantee quality stuff for your collection. Brick-and-mortar and online stores dealing in vintage clothing are the best place to start your search. You should attend an auction only if you intend to buy items in bulk. One place most of us overlook is our mother or grandmother's closet.

2. Take a peek at the labels -

Labels are a mark of authenticity; they help identify authentic and replicated vintage clothing. A label is typically stitched to the neck of the dress or under the collar. Before you go shopping, you should find out which clothing labels are true vintage. Union labels in blue are an indicator of quality. Side-snap closures, pinked seams and metal zippers are other identifying features.

3. Smell the garment -

Many vintage pieces of clothing bear an unpleasant smell. The smell vanishes after a session of dry cleaning however; avoid buying a dress or blouse if the smell is too strong.

4. Proper sizing -

Sizing standards have changed over the decades. Knowledge of your body proportions will help find a suitable size. When you go shopping, wear the right undergarments. Undergarments such as corsets, girdles and bullet bras will truly make a piece fit correctly. For those unsure of the size, especially when buying online, buy one size larger.

If you like a piece but can't get a perfect fit, tailor it to your size. Garments can be altered - nipped, tucked, shortened and tightened. Such clothing is expensive hence, we recommend altering it with a good tailor.

5. Feel the fabric -

You should inspect the quality and condition of the fabric before you buy it. Touch and feel the fabric. Do not buy a faded fabric that is cracking or falling apart.

6. Shop with an era in mind -

Clothing older than 25 years is considered vintage. Each decade is identified by distinctive fashion trends. You should shop with an era in mind. It restricts you to a specific selection of designs. You can also mix and match designs from different fashion eras. Do a bit of research on the clothing of each era.

7. Store your vintage beauties -

It is necessary to store garments with care to prolong their life. Clothes are usually stored in plastic to prevent them from getting dirty and dusty. Dresses should first be air dried before they are stored in plastic bags. Moisture accumulation can cause mildew growth.

So, buy vintage garments and spice up an otherwise ordinary closet.

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About Short Prom Dresses

Prom nights are full of fun. Two main things that take center stage during the nights are socializing and dancing to every strain of music. During the nights, every girl wants to steal the show and be the attention-getter. Short prom dresses are the order of the day.

What are short prom dresses?

These are dresses worn on prom nights. The dresses are meant to exhibit the image of a young beautiful woman. What makes the dresses unique is that they are neither too formal nor too casual; however, they always make one feel comfortable-- making the wearer feel neither young nor too old.

Common dress styles are: little black outfit, pink baby doll, ballerina attire, sequined hemlines, and the sexy salsa.

Advantages of short prom dresses

The advantages of wearing a mini are insurmountable. If you are a short girl, the mini makes your legs slender; therefore, you end up looking taller. You also look elegant thus almost every person in the prom will want to be with you.

When you are on the dance floor, it's so easy to pluck even the most dazzling move.

Also, your frequent visits to the bathroom are a breeze.

How to buy the right short prom dress

You should measure your bust, hips, and waistline. This is because different designers have different size charts; therefore, you can buy a dress that is larger or smaller than your size. By taking your own measurements, you will be sure that you are buying a dress that is the right size.

In addition to taking your own measurements, you should buy a dress that flatters your body type. There are different body types such as pear shaped figure, hour glass figure, and a straight figure. You should understand your body type and concentrate on the dress that accentuates your body.

You should pay attention to how you feel in the dress. Are you comfortable? Prom nights are nights of fun and you should buy a dress that you feel comfortable in. The dress should allow you to have as much fun as possible.

Things to do before going out on a prom night

Before you hit your door frame, you should test if a dress is too short for you. To do this, sit in front of a mirror and see how the dress looks like. Prom dresses look awesome when you are standing; however, when you sit, the length may raise further up-revealing more than you would want to. Also, to check if the dress is too short, wear the dress and try to pick something from the floor.

Since the dress is already short, you should ensure that you maintain modesty. To do this, you should avoid a very low neckline.

Finally, if you have a shoulder-off dress, to prevent the dress from flipping, always stick a double sided sticking tape under your neckline.

Conclusion

Short prom dresses are a must-have for every girl. To ensure that your elegant dress catches the attention of everyone, ensure that you have well done hair and good looking nails.

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