Glad rags of yesteryear Print E-mail
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And what if a Woman's World reader discovers a trunk full of her mother's ball gowns in the loft? If you think you have some great stuff and you want to sell, approach a professional vintage shop, check Yellow Pages; even museums or production companies producing period TV or films might be interested. Or just try a well-known car boot sale where there will be lots of interested traders. Anne's advice is to use a digital camera and send lots of pictures, including one of the label.

"Only a handful of vintage fashion dealers make a substantial living from their business - most collectors have just been seduced by the thrill of the hunt and the opportunity to wear something unique. They will probably make you an offer but don't expect to get huge amounts of money. Some buyers will also buy a job lot if they've seen photos of representative pieces."

Anne's own favourite is Ceil Chapman, a designer label worn by Marilyn Monroe: "I have about 90 dresses. The pleasure of finding something of Ceil's for next-to-nothing is wonderful! It's good to collect a designer, even a particular year for that designer, but never buy what you don't like."

You can also buy to match your body shape from collections from different periods that favoured a flat or a full bosom. "If you wear vintage you're never out of style," says Anne. "You're always going to look good, nobody looks the same and the shapes can be great."

"When you've got your precious vintage collection together, it pays to take care of the garments, using acid-free tissue paper and avoiding plastic garment bags and covers. If something has an odour of mothballs or smoke, it's best to hang it in the open for a few hours and if you have to have clothes dry cleaned, be sure of the cleaner first - things like sequins can melt. A lot of vintage you can wash yourself, such as cotton, silk and natural fabrics that can be done by hand."

Bond Street names

Philippa Rhodes runs '185' in London, a shop dedicated to vintage and designer fashions. Confessing to a personal weakness for vintage C&A, she advises new collectors: "Sometimes it's not about the brand but the style that's important, though it's always nice to find Pucci, YSL and Jean Patou. Look for names you recognise from Bond Street. Watch out for something representative of the best and most typical - a Jean Patou coat, a Hermes scarf, Chanel shoes."

Philippa - who buys for herself from charity shops, jumble and car boot sales - works with professional 'vintage finders' who scour good sources in the US and Berlin to stock the '185' shop. "You have to have an eye for what works," she says, "and if you're buying for yourself you have to have the patience to look through a lot of smelly clothes."

On show at Killerton house

Killerton House in Devon houses some 10,000 items, including men's, women's and children's dress and accessories, dating back from the 17th century to the late 1970s. They also have an archive of photographs, fashion plates, dress patterns and magazines. Each year a portion of the collection is presented in a themed exhibition, this year The Fair Equestrienne concentrates on riding and sporting costumes.

For details contact National Trust Killerton House, Exeter, tel: 01392 881691 or visit

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/devoncornwall

Buying for beginners

  • Always make time to visit an auction preview;
  • Examine lots carefully for rot and moth holes;
  • Measure carefully if you plan to wear your purchases;
  • Ask questions and learn from old hands;
  • Remember the year is as important as the designer's name;
  • Never buy something you don't like.

Shops, stalls, sales and dates

Sotheby's next 'Passion for Fashion' sale is on 15 December 2004, at 34-35 New Bond Street, London W1A, tel: 020 7293 5000 or visit www.sothebys.com

The London Textiles, Vintage Fashion and Accessories Fair is held at Hammersmith Town Hall in King Street, London W6, approximately every six weeks. P&A Antiques, organisers of the Hammersmith fairs, offer membership of the Vintage Fashion Circle including free tickets for a year - tel: 020 8543 5075 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Frock Me! Vintage & Modern Fashion Event at Chelsea Town Hall, King's Road, London SW3, tel: 020 7254 4054. Next date 20 November 2004

Vintage Fashion Fairs, Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London SW11, tel: 020 8290 1888. Next dates 19 September and 14 November 2004

Christie's Costume & Textiles Auction including street fashion, 85 Old Brompton Road, London SW7, tel: 020 7930 6074 or visit www.christies.com

Camden Passage, Islington, London N1 - visit www.camdenpassageislington.co.uk for lots of little shops

Portobello Road market, London W11 - visit www.portobelloroad.co.uk

Vintage Clobber, 874 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, tel: 01202 429794

Echoes, 650a Halifax Road, Eastwood, Todmorden, West Yorkshire, tel: 01706 817505

'185' (vintage and designer), 185 Replingham Road, Wimbledon, London SW18, tel: 020 8877 2442

www.ebay.co.uk - Go to 'clothing and accessories' in the index, then click on 'vintage' (if using the US site visit www.ebay.com go to 'clothing, shoes and accessories' in index, then 'vintage')

Contacts

Vintage Fashion Guild President Anne Dettmer, tel: 020 8767 7818 or visit www.vintagefashionguild.org, www.vintagecouture.com and www.vc-mall.com
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