By Claudina Hannon
Samantha Simms knows the local vintage scene. She and Stacie Washington are the founders of Instant Vintage 78, a local Etsy boutique that carries vintage clothes and accessories, as well as a small amount of retro items. For those unfamiliar with the term, retro items are those with a vintage look to them but are actually new and unused. Simms is also excited to share some vintage shopping tips with us and to also tell us about the local vintage pop-up shop event Instant Vintage 78 will have this weekend.
Saturday, July 25, Instant Vintage 78 will be hosting its second annual pop-up shop event at Penn Social in Washington, D.C., from noon-4 p.m. It’s an exciting event for vintage lovers and collectors because an array of local and other stateside vendors from Maryland, Philadelphia and North Carolina will set up shop there. Shoppers can expect to come across luxury labels such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Céline, Dolce & Gabbana and even Hermès.
Samantha’s vintage picks
-Pieces from the 1970s are great to find now because they are trending for summer and fall.
–Bespoke Not Broke is her favorite local vintage shop for menswear.
-Finding a good repair shop is a must for any vintage shopper, especially for shoes and handbags that need extra care and polishing. Her pick: MJ&J Shoe Repair in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
Samatha’s tips for vintage shopping
-Look for natural fabrics, such as leather, cotton, silk and linen, since they can be of a higher quality.
-Pay close attention to the details of an item. Everything from the beading and stitching to the hardware tells you about an item’s quality and preservation over time.
-Even if you find an item that doesn’t have a label on it, consider its physical weight, overall condition and manufacturing details because it can still be a valuable find.
We recommend keeping an eye out for these classic designer pieces when vintage shopping.
Chanel
Look for jewelry pieces displaying the classic Chanel camellia flower. Chanel tweed is another timeless find you can’t pass on, as are the Chanel quilted flap handbags in good condition.
Dolce & Gabbana
Dresses are great vintage Dolce finds—especially the body hugging LBDs with beautiful black lace details and the flower print dresses—and are true Dolce staples in any closet.
Hermès
The Hermès silk scarves represent fashion’s classic style, but the Hermès bracelets are also great pieces to own, especially the Collier de Chien, a bold and beautiful statement piece.
Louis Vuitton
If you come across the much sought-after LV hardcase luggage, then you are in luck. Also keep an eye out for classic LV Monogram Canvas handbags in timeless designs, such as the Noé, Speedy and Alma.
Other local pop-up shops worth checking out:
Rosslyn: Fashion Truck Fridays
Mosaic: Sophie Blake & Erika Shrieber
Tysons Corner: Nordstrom’s Liberty London Pop-In Shop