As my regular followers will know, I am LOVING the vintage fashion world!

I don’t know why it took so long for me to discover it, but finally fashion makes sense, and I can enjoy it.

But I have discovered there are a few things to remember before wearing a “new to you” vintage purchase for the first time…

1. Take care to check for marks, stains etc…some may not have been apparent when you purchased!

Also allow clothing to air before wearing as sometimes they do have a musty kind of smell…I have a spot in our house where I hang my newer purchases to air.

If that doesn’t work, I will give them a steam clean, or if the item can take it, a good wash.

2. Always carefully check seams, zippers, hems etc before wearing for the first time…and I am speaking from experience here.

In the last few weeks, I have had two hems come down, causing me to almost trip, and a zipper fail on a skirt…the zipper just fell apart without warning…which was very embarrassing as I wasn’t able to nip home to change and had nothing else with me!

And it is definitely worth taking the time to get an item shortened, taken in etc, if it doesn’t fit you quite right…bring an outfit back to life!

Hand-Sewing

3. The same applies to vintage shoes…carefully check the soles, make sure there are no holes…and check buckles, buttons, clips etc are secure.

I have had one vintage shoe totally come apart from the sole on the first wear…luckily I was at work, and we have a hot glue gun….but I did have to spend most of the day without shoes.

I now try to wear any vintage shoes I buy around the house, or for short trips before committing to wearing them out…and I always make sure I have another pair in the car, just in case.

And a word of warning…it can get very expensive to get vintage shoes repaired…which I learned the hard way.

I don’t regret getting them fixed as I have got plenty of wear out of them, but the high cost was a little unexpected!

4. Treat your vintage wardrobe with care…fabrics can become more fragile with age, and won’t stand up to rough wear.

You may have to be selective in where and how often you wear a vintage piece…maybe only for good occasions rather then everyday wear.

Other outfits maybe more hardy, and can take more everyday usage!

Be gentle and your vintage outfits will love you for it!

5. Always check in the mirror that everything is in place before leaving the house…this applies to any outfit you are wearing..vintage or not!

One of the best purchases I have made for my dressing room is a cheval mirror.

Make sure no hems are down or seams coming adrift, and that buttons and zips done up..once again I am speaking from experience…put a dress on last weekend, forgot to zip it up properly and put a jacket on.

Took my jacket off while we were out, and well…thankfully, I had a long sleeve top on under the dress…another lesson learned!

Wearing vintage is so much fun, but sometimes you just have to take a bit more care…a vintage treasure might need a little TLC before it can be worn.

But it is all worth it!

Have you ever had a vintage fashion fail…share in the comments below as I would love to know that I am not the only one!