The snag of vintage

Author: The Philippine Star

My friends Phoemela and Rachel just came from Baguio. Apart from ube, strawberries, and peanut brittle, ukay-ukay is the one shopping stop not to be missed. After all, finding fabulous fashion at vintage and thrift stores is as satisfying as licking the last bit of delicious ube off that silver spoon.

Secondhand stores hold so many treasures. But once you’ve finally finished your hunt for that promising item – it looks great and fits great – it’s time to find flaws before you get past the point of "no-returns. "

Missing buttons, broken zippers, torn linings, and offline hems are some of the flaws we can tolerate. After all, they’re really easy to repair with the help of a good tailor and some DIY work. But it’s always a good idea to ask your alterations person for a price list of routine alterations. This way you can accurately calculate the final cost of a garment.

Then again, there are some flaws that should make you drop the garment and move smartly along. Even if the piece starts out as a couture wonder, you don’t need this kind of aggravation. With the help of Secondhand Chic by Christa Weil, here are some flaws that will make you think twice about that P50 find! Overstretched Knits Knits that droop at the neck, cuffs, and waistband won’t do your appearance any favor. There’s no reason to purchase an underachiever like this. Hold on to your wallet; there are other beauties waiting to be discovered. Yellowing This could’ve been mistakenly washed with the colored garments. But it could also be the fault of the dry cleaner. If instructions aren’t carefully followed, a white item can turn yellow in the dry-cleaning process. You can try bleaching the item but it can also turn gray, which is just as bad. Always examine the clothing in natural sunlight. Buckled Seams Puckering along the seam lines happens for a lot of reasons. But 90 percent of the time it’s the result of ill-chosen materials or poor assembly. Reject it. You don’t need more wrinkles in your wardrobe. Critters With an extra-fine needle and wool thread, moth holes become tolerable flaws. But bug infestations are repulsively different. Clothes carrying body lice are an instant reject no matter how fabulous they are. Immediately alert the store owner or manager if you find an infestation. Washed-Out Knits One accidental spin in a hot dryer can cause their good looks to fade away. No matter how perfect that cotton knit sweater may be for those cool summer nights, they’re not worth good money. Hunt for newer, brighter versions. With proper care, these will look good much longer. Bad Alterations The last owner meant well but a lot of incompetent people hold threads and needles, too. Once mis-sticthing is done, little can repair the damage. Sloppy, oversized, or irregular stitching at the seams; jagged hemlines; uneven pants or sleeve lengths; odd bunching at the waistline – these are signs of bad alterations. It’s important to check the inner seams. This allows you to see the mistakes even before you try on the garment. Fraying A frayed lining can be replaced, but I’m afraid a frayed cuff or collar is a different story. Unless you can resurrect and expertly stylize the frayed areas, the slightest hint of fringe means the piece is on its way to the rag bin. Shininess Certain fabrics, particularly those that contain synthetic materials, develop a sheen when ironed at too-high heat or when they’re constantly rubbed in the course of long wear. Check the seats, elbows and lapels. Sure, you can temporarily restore it by gently stroking the spots with fine sandpaper or dabbing them it a vinegar solution, but this won’t fool anyone for long. Don’t buy anything this worn. This is another case where passing is the smartest shopping decision you can make. Sweat And Blood They’re not only gross, they’re a big chore to get rid of. Some books may advise you to dab it with vinegar or even a solution of crushed aspirins, but do you really need this kind of project? "Shattered" Fabric Shattering describes the breakdown of fibers in very old fabric, especially silk. Look for slight tears that run with the grain. Slight pulling will cause the fabric to rip. Unless you want it for display purposes only, this item is useless and far from wearable.

We all have our own standards. There are some who only buy pieces that are or look brand new. There are also easygoing shoppers who know that with a needle and thread, another woman’s reject can easily become her treasure. Some women don’t mind the challenge of grit and grime, too. What’s really important is being sure of the kinds of flaws you yourself will tolerate, so that in the end, you don’t make a purchase you’ll later regret. * * * E-mail your comments and questions to rissa_ms@hotmail. com.

Source: The Philippine Star

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