{blast from the} past

I love vintage things, whether it be clothes or furniture, there's always a place in my heart for pre-owned things. Not only is it great for the environment, you are also showing your individuality, generally saving money, and wearing an item with a story behind it-- it's up to you to figure it out.

Where I live, around half the stores I see are vintage, second-hand or thrift stores, which is great for those who love pre-loved items. Sadly, in more remote areas you may not see this kind of shopping, in that event your best option is to surf the world wide web. Ebay, Etsy and many other stores sell straight from the vendor, where you can communicate with the dealer. Other online vintage stores are set up like any other online retailer, you put the item in your basket and pay with the plastic in your wallet. But no matter where you shop, the same rules apply:

1. Read all of the product information. You wouldn't want to spend $50 on a vintage dress with a huge stain on the back. 
2. Know your measurements, most retailers will list the size printed on the tag, what size it looks, and the exact measurements of the garment. Read them, compare them to your own measurements. Use that measuring tape!
3. Don't be gullible. We all would like to believe that the world is perfect, and that dealers won't rip you off, but that isn't always the case. Stores like Etsy and Ebay have user feedback, so you can normally tell if they are a real store that is reputable. Other places may not have that handy feature, so it's up to your common sense to figure it out. Try asking yourself these questions: Does it look professional? Have I heard of this store before? Do I know anyone who has heard of this store? and Do they have a Better Business Bureau rating? 
4. Continuing on Rule #3's thought, check out the Better Business Bureau. They have accredited stores that you know you cant trust.
5. Yelp! Everyone loves Yelp, and if you can't seem to determine whether the site is safe, Yelp it! If you don't know about Yelp already, it is a site where users can post reviews about stores in their area. All you have to do is go to Yelp, type in a store name, a type of store, or a tag and then the location. 
6. If all other options are coming up short, check the URL when you begin the checkout process. If the URL starts with : "https://" then you know that it is a secured network. 

Have fun surfing the web, be safe, and find some great vintage finds! If you're in the mood for shopping right now, check out these sites, which I have personal experience with, so you can be sure that they are safe! (:

• Nasty Gal: They sell new and vintage pieces on an online only store
• LA Vintage: A large selection of high-quality vintage pieces, and many vintage designer pieces. 
• Etsy: There are many vendors on this site, use the rules above to find a great piece. 

Thanks for reading! Check out my other posts! (: Cassie