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We've all heard the likes of Naomi Watts, the Olsen twins and Sarah Jessica Parker answer "it's vintage" when asked who designed their gowns.
Find out how you can shop smartly for vintage without looking like you've just stepped out of your grandma's dress up box. We talk to Vanessa, owner of vintage store Tete a Tete in Christchurch, who fills us in on the do's and don'ts of vintage fashion. Why should we buy vintage? Quality Part of the reason why I bought vintage originally and even now is because it gives you quality. I think a lot of the old school designs are classic, they just don’t date. The fabrics you just cant get any more; the silks are just beautiful, duchess satin, crepes. It's fabric that’s just not heard of today.
Originality I like the thought of having a dress that nobody else has. I've got 42 vintages coats and jackets. I can just about guarantee that if you're buying a vintage dress from me you're not going to get something the same anywhere else.
Environmentally friendly Garments now are so disposable, they're made cheaply so they're disposed of quickly. The chemicals that are built up in the clothing are carcinogenic and they leek into our environment. Basically people need to start embracing recycling, it's so important.
An investment This clothing is 50 to 60 years old and you can wash it and wear it, and still get good wear out of it. For a fraction of the cost you're getting quality that surpasses what is available today. They're just amazing and most of them are New Zealand made.
What should we look out for when buying a vintage item? Underarms If you're buying any garment, particularly dresses and shirts, look at the underarms - vintage clothing can sometimes deteriorate quickly under the arms. A lot of the time previous owners would have used powder under the arms and that causes powder build up inside the seems, causing the fabric to deteriorate quickly.
Zips If a garment's going to go that’s where it's going to go first. Zips are really important. Always check your zips as metal zips tend to stick. If they are a wee bit sticky running a lead pencil up and down the zip will make it go a bit better. The other option is to remove a metal zip and replace it with a more modern one. Don't be afraid to do that because they hurt when they grab your skin.
Moth damage Especially in coats. Always look under the collar for moth damage, they usually start under the collar or in cuffs so I'd always check for that.
I found the perfect vintage dress but it's too big! What should I do? Find a specialist sewer Take it to a really good dress maker, somebody who knows how to handle a vintage piece and who is sympathetic to the fact that it is a vintage piece. If you had a great 1920s piece which are very rare, I'd say don’t touch it, try and keep it in it's original state.
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Jessica Parker answer "it's vintage" when asked who designed their gowns. 
Why should we buy vintage?
Environmentally friendly 
today. They're just amazing and most of them are New Zealand made. 
to deteriorate quickly. (111).jpg){kind=small}