By: Yu Shan
I think you faithful Tongue in Chic readers have definitely noticed that we’ve had many comments from online shopping sites on our TiC tagbox that border upon shameless hawking of their fashionable wares. It is a bit pointless and annoying to search for the answer to your question amongst all the advertisements on the tagbox (that’s why we have the "Ask Us" section in the blue box further down), but who can blame them for taking advantage of the opportunity to make themselves known to the fashionable crowd?
Drawings of vintage dresses from Buttons and Bows, custom manufacturers of vintage clothing.
Despite the abundance of links on the chatbox, I hope you’ve picked up the fact that that most of these sites are hawking vintage wares. This sudden explosion of local sites offering vintage/second hand pieces is already too large and prevalent a trend to ignore. Perhaps it is a trickledown from the international blogosphere, where Rumi from FashionToast has her own ebay site selling vintage items, and where Susie from StyleBubble frequently waxes lyrical about her favorite vintage buys, London charity shops and thrift stores.
For whatever reason, the explosion of vintage buyers and sellers, both on and off the net is an interesting phenomenon, thatmakes sense when you think about it. An apt age-old adage would be – one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. We from the buyer’s side can easily cite reasons like going green, or the desire to wear something unique, but few have actually thought about what goes on from the vintage seller’s point of view.
Although the local scene is far less attractive than already established sites like Sally Jane Vintage (which I absolutely heart) due to less professional pictures, they’re still worth a-scouring because those international postage fees (not to mention exhorbitant exchange rates) can completely kill the thrill of a cheap find. Also, it never hurts to encourage the up-and-coming with good potential.
We first looked up (romantically linked)
Do check out their sites as they stock some covetable print dresses that look good belted, and their bags are undeniably stylish and retro (as well as the duo’s favorite items).
Vintage Bag Philly
The Warrior Princess, RM 69 (Sold)
They also have some second hand items up for sale, which might appeal to those on the prowl for certain styles.
Vincci Gladiator Heels going for RM53
I did have to put up pictures of a sold out item or two (all the bags are sold out but the heels are still for sale at time of writing) because, as the stylish pair confirms, their bags are their best selling items and often have to be placed on auction due to multiple buyers. Looks like they’ll be in the business for a while, because of the profit, and the fact that vintage (versus ready –made) is genuinely their passion.
Next up on our list is Nazihah and Muzamir from Little Vintage House. These two are real characters, as Muzamir is a public university lecturer that wears his pair of Ray Ban Wayfarer 2140 to work everyday despite curious stares (why didn’t I have a coolio teacher like that?!) and Nazihah is a quantity surveyor who wears vintage Givenchy dresses and Chanel flats even to construction sites. However, what impressed me the most is that their interpretation of vintage items as long term investments and their desire to spread their love for vintage by parting with their most loved items i.e. Nazihah’s Madonna Material Girl Tour 1994 T-shirt and Balenciaga wallet as well as Muzamir’s ‘at the drive in’ T-shirt and Hermes loafers.
To better garner to collectors with similar thrifting passions, these two Ebay vintage veterans just started up Little Vintage House in August 08, but have already garnered much consumer attention. Their garments and accessories, sourced from relatives and second hand shops are so sought after that some even beg them to sell items already booked by other buyers!
The Blair Waldorf Dress, RM 35 (Sold Out)
Kerang, RM 50
Caviar, RM 50 ( Sold)
May I suggest an expansion into vintage belts? I’m sure many people are lusting after adorable belts to match the print dresses…
Last, but definitely not least, we sat down with Jylene from Old is Gold to discuss her passion for old and golden goods. She also gets her wares from her relatives as well as her mother and specializes in stylish and feminine styles with a bohemian flair. What sets her apart, are the ladylike separates and suits that wouldn’t look out of place in an office environment, which is rarely seen in local vintage blogs that normally sell print dresses and leather bags.
My favorite item from her site is this RM 40 Sally Jane Romper that looks so comfy and chic!
Again a new start up site, but one to keep an eye out for.
Now that we’ve shed some light on the local vintage scene for you (if you’re not already recklessly spending in it), here are some more sites for you to browse and get your first vintage item at!
1. Adore Vintage not only for their fabulous collection of vintage items, but also for their beautifully shot editorials featuring only vintage items and their vintage forums.
2. Olive’s Very Vintage for vintage designer items, wedding dresses, home decorations…this must be the go-to site for all types of vintage items under the sun.
3. The Urban Collection for lovely vintage items sourced internationally.
Do also venture into charity shops, dress agencies and vintage boutiques for your fashion fix while overseas.
Do:
1. Ask about washing instructions. Some rare vintage finds from earlier times like the 20s or 30s cannot be subjected to the rough treatment of a modern-day washing machine or iron.
2. Definitely try it on even if you’re a size zero and the label reads zero. Sizing varies with country and, of course, era.
Just bear that in mind and happy thrifting! You’d be surprised at what you could find. My yet unfulfilled dream is to find an Ossie Clark…
