1. Many readers find shopping for vintage clothing to be overwhelming. What are three key clothing items that beginners can look out for when they start to shop?

Rachel: High-waisted short-shorts, crop-top and a duster is my favorite look for the coming summer months — simple, flirty and cozy once the sun goes down.

 

Brooke: Cut Off vests/corsets, slips, tasteful under garments as outerwear! I also just love drapey lightweight dresses for boys right now!

 

 

2. I recently started vintage shopping in L.A. on a more regular basis. How do I know if apiece is ‘vintage’ or ‘second hand consignment’? Is there a difference?

Who cares! Labels are not important — it’s important is how it makes you feel!

 

 

3. What is one thing you wish everyone knew about your industry or vintage?

Most of the time you are paying too much. Don’t be afraid to barter.

 

And most of all; don’t overlook Goodwill! Try to hit the one by your house everyday…there are always gems to be found.

 

 

4. Many readers live outside the United States. Is online vintage shopping trustworthy? How can you tell that a site is a reliable source or the goods they are providing are legit?

Trust your gut. Do your research on a site before buying!

 

Oh yeah, Buy from AmericanApocalypse415.com

 

 

5. If I had to buy one piece from a vintage store, what would the best item be for my money?

Rachel: I can help here! Tweet me @ http://twitter.com/AA415, your height, weight, age and occupation. I’ll tell you what to get for the summer!

 

Brooke: Long lace sheer goth slip is a perfect ‘party’ dress for summer — pair it with a vintage motorcycle vest and you are ready to get down!

 

 

6. Where do you get your supply of clothing?

B & R: Salvation army and goodwill are our best friends! We are always checking out local San Francisco estate sales, flea markets and acquiring and trading pieces between friends — we have so many pieces in our closets sometimes we don’t even remember where they came from! Between the two of us we have been collecting for 20 years!

 

 

7. What era is the hardest to find?

B & R: It always seems to be the era that you are looking for! Just have paitience your piece will come to you!

 

8. What is the most interesting thing you have ever sold to someone?

Rachel: Those pieces don’t leave the house.

 

Brooke:I sold some old t shirts that looked like they had been eaten by a cheese grater/paper shredder to Wasteland (a vintage store in SF), oh and some of my best furs!

 

 

9. Should you wash or dry clean vintage clothes after you buy them?

R & B: Dry clean once and depending on the fabric you can throw them in with your normal clothes, but we’d say hand washing is always the way.

 

 

10. When are the best times to buy vintage clothing? Do you switch clothes with different seasons?

Vintage shopping is more like hunting to us, we scour places till we’ve sucked them dry, then move on. Sometimes hitting the same spot two days in a row. During NY’s cold winter you want to look the best you can wrapped up in layers and during LA’s hot summer, you have to shop knowing you’ll be wearing next to nothing.

 

Buy anything you fall in love with, you never know what travels lie ahead. ~Rachel and Brooke