D&OC's Top 5 reasons to shop vintage

**Warning: Many words follow, some pictures too, just to hold your interest.

So, as you might already know, I work at a local vintage shop on Saturdays. I choose to work an extra day a week for a couple of reasons: 1) I can always use the extra dough and 2) I enjoy being out of the office, away from budgets and finance stuff and around clothing that I can touch and smell (not that I'm walking around smelling everything, just some things). I've had this Saturday position for over a year now and I still am slightly taken aback when a college student or young 20 something approaches me to ask if other people have worn the clothing (ummmm, yes!) and/or what vintage is exactly, "like, is that used clothing?"

This past weekend two college girls came in and spotted our stack of Donney and Bourke bags. One girl, rightfully so, picked up a pretty red saddle bag, got quite excited and oooohhhed and ahhhhed. Meanwhile, her less enthused side kick crinkled her nose and said, "it's soooo old."
Huh.
I realize that you might already shop vintage and don't need to hear my meager opinion on why vintage is awesome, but I forget that some of you (maybe many of you?) probably don't and it's for you that I write this post.
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1. Pinch pennies, save money. Some (definitely not all) vintage shops are more affordable and the quality is higher than many average clothing stores (in the same price range). If you're a savvy vintage shopper you can save a great deal on clothing, especially accessories. If money is no concern to you (congrats!) there are plenty of high end shops to tickle your fancy. Hello vintage couture!
FRYE Vintage British Tan Leather Hobo Satchel Handbag $44.99

via ella confidential
2. Vintage IS eco-friendly. Enormous amounts of material consumption have put this planet in a pretty substantial predicament (duh) . Reducing your waste, recycling, and re-using materials that are already available is an eco-consious decision. If something doesn't fit you just right, but you love the fabric or shape, why not get it tailored or upcycle it into a whole new piece?
1950's vintage blue rose garden dress $68

via Allen Company Inc
3. Flex and strenghten your creative fashion (and interior design) sensibilities. Shopping vintage forces you to see the POTENTIAL in pieces. Sometimes it takes me a minute to get my bearings walking into a vintage shop because seeing all the STUFF can get a little discouraging. It's hard to differentiate between what might be considered junk vs. what is actually usable. Make sure to take a double take, sometimes the pieces you write off too quickly will end up becoming THE piece in your wardrobe. Turn on those creative juices and see what happens, you might surprise yourself.
Can Can $24

via Solanah
4. Support your local economy and independent shop owners. Whether you shop locally or online, by shopping vintage you are supporting an individual's business endeavors. I'd prefer to give my money to a hard working individual than to a major corporation any day.
After Midnight $36

via Shopcuffs
5. Find unique, one of a kind pieces that you can confidently wear to a party knowing you won't look like someone's doppelganger. The majority of compliments I get on my outfits are pre-used pieces. I always get a little thrill (dare I say smug even?) when someone asks me where they can get something I'm wearing and I say, "I have no idea...it's vintage."
Bitter Sweet Dress and Capelet $168

via Thirteen Bees Vintage
Any thoughts? Additions, edits, concerns?