Etsy is an amazing platform to buy vintage clothes. If you are an Etsy seller and is planning on selling vintage clothes, here are some helpful tips to finding good vintage pieces:

Look for quality fabrics and structured pieces

Before going to the store, you can look through magazines and scour through the internet so you can get a sense of the trends of the season. Doing this will help you score a great deal by zeroing in on pieces with silhouettes that are similar.

When you’re going through the racks, use your sense of touch and keen eye. Look for well-made pieces with decent structure, such as blazers, jackets, pants, tailored shirts and skirts. You can look into fabrics that wear well too.

Check for stains, holes and other defects

Scan the pieces thoroughly and look for defects. Give the piece a good once-over and pay attention for tears, rips and lingering stains. Stains that are non-oil-based can be dry cleaned or washed out. However, it is always a gamble when purchasing something with an obvious stain. Small rips and holes can be easily mended with a thread and needle, but this can also be an indication of the item’s general condition. If you are not really good at sewing but do love the piece, you can seek help from a professional tailor.

If necessary, look for pieces that can be altered easily

When selling vintage clothes on Etsy, your tailor will be your best friend. When you are picking your items, don’t be discouraged by a loose waist or a skirt’s length – these issues are easy to alter.

Check stress points and zippers

If your items have snaps, zippers, or buttons, make sure that you test all the parts that are working and identify the defects. Broken zippers and buttons can be mended. Stress points such as underarms, elbows, and knees should be checked as well because these are places of extra wear and tear – they should feel and look sturdy. Look at the seams too and make sure that the thread isn’t about to give way. If it is, you can assess if it is something that you can fix.

Check for fabric care instructions

Make sure you check the care instructions to know if it’s easy to clean or if you have to bring it to the dry cleaner.