New to You: How to Buy, Fix, and Keep Classic Clothing

Secondhand shopping is sustainable shopping! Learn to find, restore, and preserve vintage clothing and accessories so you can leave wasteful fast fashion behind

They don’t make clothes like they used to! Garments from earlier eras, before corporatized disposable fashion became the norm, have better materials and craftsmanship than all but the most high-end clothing today. Buying vintage fashion from boutiques, secondhand shops, flea markets, and resale sites means getting beautiful pieces that are built to last, without contributing to sweatshops or landfills-but only if you know what to look for.

In this indispensable guide, anyone who buys or wears women’s clothing will learn how to-

.Avoid overpaying
.Sort trash from treasure
.Fix minor flaws-and spot major ones
.Find your ideal fit (including tips for plus-size shoppers)
.Alter and repurpose garments
.Care for delicate vintage fabrics

Vintage clothing dealer Melody Fortier draws on decades of experience to demystify the process of buying and caring for older garments, so you’ll know just what to look for, what to watch out for, and what to pay.

Previously published as The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping in 2009, this updated edition includes a new introduction, resources for evaluating online and brick-and-mortar shops, and tips for plus-size shoppers..