Luxury fashion and accessories never cease to fascinate. Indeed, fashionistas and Instagram influencers agree that designer items are highly desirable. Nothing attracts comments and engagements as much as a branded hashtag as a photo caption. Yet, the rise of pre-owned fashion is transforming expectations and mindsets about what luxury items are. Brands have not lost their appeal. But the movement toward second-hand and vintage items makes previous seasons and models almost as valuable — if not more — as contemporary collections. While affordability remains a benefit when purchasing pre-owned items, budget isn’t the sole source of concerns. Fashion lovers seek sustainability. They want beautiful items that don’t affect the environment. In a sustainable fashion environment, it becomes essential to find out how to care for vintage and collectible luxury clothes and accessories.
Clean correctly
Nothing says stylish like a pair of old Louboutin heels or 1980s Nike’s sneakers. There’s something iconic about the shapes and colors of former collections that often makes accessories timeless. Yet, your shoes will only be stylish as long as they look the part. Signs of tear and wear are quick to appear on vintage items if you don’t know how to look after them. Cleaning shoes after each wear will prevent dust and dirt from accumulating and affecting the material. You also want a solution to protect the shoes from external elements, such as ensuring they remain impermeable in snow or rain.
Get it fixed professionally
Even with the best of care, problems can appear. For instance, your luxury vintage dress could become frail at the stitches, or your collectible watch could stop ticking. These things happen. Yet, rather than attempting to fix it yourself, you might want to entrust an expert. A professional tailor shop, for instance, could repair and adjust your clothes seamlessly. Watch professionals from services such as Fast-Fix can help look after older models, keeping them clean and ticking. You can even seek a leather expert to fix holes and marks in collectible heels. The bottom line: There’s always someone with the know-how and tools required to bring back your vintage items to life.
Repurpose any broken jewelry
If you’ve got any broken rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, it’s a good idea to look at repurposing them into something new. There are plenty of places that will help transform some of your most vintage jewelry into something more modern and wearable. With loose diamonds Dallas, you could add more expense to your jewelry, making your vintage pieces truly unique.
Have a storage strategy
You have everyday items and unique luxury items, which you only wear on special occasions. Therefore, designing an effective storage solution makes sense to keep your luxury assets safe and protected. Ideally, you want to make sure everything is clean as you get things ready for storage. This will include having delicate fabrics professionally cleaned. Store everything in a cool, dry, and ventilated location, preferably in containers or drawers to prevent dust. Do make sure to remove any plastic bags, as these can trap moisture and create mold or use moth spray for clothes for pest like moths. Finally, you want to keep your storage area pest-free, using safe deterrents.
Buying vs. renting
In the pursuit of sustainable fashion, more and more enthusiasts are questioning the need for purchasing. You can rent out your fashion item for a day, a week, or a month. When it comes to luxury items, they can present a unique advantage. As a temporary tenant, you are not responsible for maintenance and storage. In other words, you can love to wear vintage luxury without needing to look after it. It’s a win-win!
In conclusion, as vintage and second-hand fashion is growing in popularity, we could all wear luxury pieces without the hefty price tag. Yet, vintage luxury requires specialist care and cleaning, which you need to be willing to commit to. Not the commitment type? You’re in luck, as vintage renting is on the rise!
