How To Spot High Quality Vintage Clothing

Understanding Fabric and Quality of Materials

High-class vintage apparel will be analyzed for its cloth and material quality to decide its worthiness. High-class materials will age well, appearing almost new even when new. Look for materials such as wool, silk, and cotton, long-standing in use and ageing well when kept in proper care. Check for cloth durability; a well-made article will have real weight in its cloth and strong seams.

Check for even and soft cloth—high-class cloth will be soft, even, and perfect, with no defects or distortions. Check for added trims such as zippers and buttons, and conclude that such trims have a strong build and coordinate with the era of the cloth.

Distinguishing Authenticity in Labels and Tags

To authenticate vintage apparel, labels will have to be checked. Labels in vintage apparel are relevant to its era of make. For instance, apparel in early 20th-century times will have labels with labels of out-of-business companies or typography relevant to its era in terms of looks and style. Besides, labels will have older materials such as cotton or silk, and will have specific care labels not present in modern labels, such as “Use not a tumbler.”

When examining older clothes’ detail work and construction, note work in detail, cloth, and overall construction. Quality older clothes will have detailed work sewed in, such as in uniform, small stitch, and have thoughtful detail work present. Materials used will most often be luxurious and long-lasting, such as wool, silk, and high-quality cotton, and have survived centuries. Check for lined insides, not for comfort, but for an indication of careful, thoughtful work.

The seams will have to be in neat shape with no stray threads, and the hems will have to have a flourish of a finish. Details such as secure buttoning, working zippers, and strengthened stressed areas work to mark high-class work indicative of high-class, high-value items.

Analyzing Condition And Repairs In Old Apparel

To assess older clothes’ condition, evaluate cloth and construction. First, evaluate for general wear and tear, such as discolouration, spills, and punctures. Check out seams, for these will exhibit strain areas, and evaluate for any out-alignment stitching that could mean repaired areas have been repaired in the past. Skillful mending is to be appreciated, for it can extend a vintage article’s life, but beware of sloppy mending that could affect an article’s integrity.
Also, evaluate cloth’s grain and stretch, for older cloth can have weakened over years of use. Examining these factors will expose an article’s overall durability and value.