If you’re a vintage lover, you know how difficult it is to find the perfect vintage tee. But just because you can’t find a good vintage tee doesn’t mean you can’t buy one. There are many things about buying vintage tees that are different from other clothing items and accessories, but once you know what to look for in each size, it becomes easy to shop. Following are some tips that can help you with your purchase.
Buy the right size
The most important thing you can do when buying a vintage tee is to buy the correct size. You don’t want to throw away your shirt because it doesn’t fit right, so check the measurements before purchasing.
Don’t buy something too small. If the measurements of your new shirt are larger than what was listed on the information page, then it might not fit properly.
On the other hand, don’t buy something too big either. Get the size that matches the description of their item, or go up a size if necessary.
Make sure its sleeves aren’t too short or long either—the same rule applies here: if its sleeves are shorter than expected, then go up a size; if they’re longer than expected, then go down a size instead.
Check the collar
When shopping for vintage tees, it’s important to look at the collar. You want to see whether or not the collar is stretched out, frayed or worn. If you can fit two fingers between the shirt and your neck just underneath your jaw, it’s a good fit. If there’s no space between your skin and the shirt, it may be too tight.
Assess the armpit area
It’s also essential to assess the armpit area. If you can see stitches or seams in the armpit area, that’s a good sign that this is an authentic vintage tee. If there are no such seams or stitches, it might be fake.
Confirm the seam is straight
Check that the seam is straight. If it’s not, it’ll be a return, no matter how much you like the other details of the shirt.
Hold up both sides of the hemline together and line them up as best you can. Straight seams will match perfectly from top to bottom, while uneven ones will have gaps or overlaps in spots.
Then take one side in each hand and pull apart at an angle—if there’s a noticeable slant to either side when held this way, it means there was too much stress put on one area during manufacturing and thus caused puckering along part of that seam.
Look in the right stores
Approach it like you would any other vintage clothing purchase. You’ve got to know what you’re looking for and must be ready to make a deal if necessary.
Look in the right stores. Thrift stores are great places to find old clothes, especially if they’re organised by decade. But if you’re specifically looking for vintage tees, try going somewhere specialising in them, like a retro clothing store or an online boutique.
Wearing a vintage tee can be a great way to add personality and character to your wardrobe. It is also fun to show off your love of vintage design. Many people are intimidated by the idea of buying vintage because they’re worried about sizing, condition or how to care for their new piece. If you know what questions to ask and how best to go about shopping for a vintage tee, it can be an enjoyable experience.
