The words “vintage clothing” often conjure images of old, musty and tattered clothes that have been worn before. Why invest money in a hand-me-down shirt?
However, the vintage clothing craze tells a much different story.
Just ask Pepperdine freshmen Alanna Araujo. “My favorite part[s] about vintage [are] that no one else has it, it’s way cheaper and it’s a good addiction to have.” One of her favorite tank tops is a hand me down from her friend’s mom from the 1970s.
Araujo and other Pepperdine vintage clothing fans will have an opportunity in February to experience some of the best oldies but goodies in the world.
The Vintage Fashion Expo returns to the Santa Monica Civic Center Feb. 4-5 as a gathering place for dealers to debut their rare finds to scavengers.
Some shoppers are skeptical about the idea of shopping at vintage boutiques or thrift stores. However, the Santa Monica Expo proves there are many interesting wrinkles in the vintage realm.
Unlike retail shopping, consumers can bargain for the price of items, which can come in handy when you make nice with various dealers. Most will sell vintage pieces for reasonable prices.
Around the expo, shoppers can find and meet so many interesting people who all share the same passion of finding amazing vintage pieces. Many vendors regularly attend and have a following. They often offer rare finds from estate sales.
Dealer Erica Harris is an inspirational woman who manages her own boutique called “Elle of California,” located in San Ramon, Calif.
The name of the boutique is originally derived from her mother’s first name, Elle.
Harris segued into the vintage fashion industry by having a sincere passion for the craft of collecting vintage items. Her interest began as a young girl when her mother used to take her along travelling the world with her bead business.
After her mother passed away, Harris took it upon herself to vicariously live out her mother’s dream by becoming a vintage buyer.
“This is my love, and it was a passion that my mother and I both shared,” Harris said.
There will be a wide variety of vendors at the Vintage Fashion Expo in February. Last October, 85 different dealers flocked there from all across the world, with booths snaking along the perimeter of the auditorium.
Veronique Nicod is the owner of the vintage boutique called “No. 6” in Paris, France. She travels to London, Geneva and all around the United States for shows during the year.
Another wonderful dealer is Mary Kincaid, who had the innovative idea to create a blog that ultimately transformed into her own vintage website, Zuburbia.com.
Kincaid fell into the vintage fashion business by shopping at thrift stores for family and friends. She later started a business selling her fabulous finds on eBay.
As a “vintage fashion advocate,” her life goal is to change people’s perception of vintage clothing.
Kincaid also stressed the importance of not being a “label snob.”
While shopping in vintage stores, she says that many people are surprised when they encounter a high quality piece of clothing and the label reads J.C. Penney. She shared that there were many great designers that were working for large retail companies in the 1960s and 1970s. Small designer boutiques were unheard of back then.
Now that the vintage look is making a comeback, brands are now attempting to sell vintage-inspired pieces. Popular stores like Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, American Apparel and Brandy Melville are trying to emulate vintage style pieces.
“We are lucky being here in L.A. where there are so many different vintage stores to choose from,” Pepperdine freshmen Elyssa Kanter said. “People need to start taking advantage of them.”
Quality vintage stores in Los Angeles include Wasteland, Crossroads, Goodwill and Salvation Army. If you are an avid vintage shopper then check out the next expo. You just might be lucky enough to find a great vintage piece to love.
