I love vintage stuff, from cool vintage signs to the perfect well-worn leather jacket, I have been hunting old treasure for as long as I can remember. Reproductions just aren't cool and those hip vintage stores have to mark up inventory, finding cool vintage style for yourself or your space doesn't need to break the bank if you know where to look.
Here are my top tips for hunting awesome vintage finds:
Do Your Research:
Knowing what to look for is half the battle. Take some time to learn about vintage clothing, furniture, and collectibles, research books like Rin Tanaka's 'My Freedamn' series are a great place to learn about vintage American clothing brands. Look up auction results online and as a last resort if something looks interesting, look it up on your phone before you buy, a simple Google search can be the difference from scoring an amazing deal and overpaying for old stuff.
Architectural Salvage Stores:
Looking to up the style of your space? Look up your local architectural salvage shop, while they will have a lot of old doors and windows, many will also have commercial signage, industrial hardware, and vintage woodwork. I have found everything from vintage neon to classic furniture.
Small Town Flea Markets:
Take a day trip out of town and head to smaller communities for less competition and better deals. The Rosebowl Flea Market or Roundtop is fun and every vintage fan needs to go, but the sellers know what they have and are charging big city pricing. I even once found a vintage Rolex that needed some work, but it was an amazing deal.
Antique Stores:
While you are on your way out of town to the flea market, keep your eye peeled for small-town antique stores. Many of these stores a consignment or booth stores so several vendors rent space in one storefront meaning you can get a good mix of items from the local area, all in one spot. Some of my favorite finds at these stores include a 1960s office chair that mimicked the 1967 Ford Mustang bucket seat and a first edition James Bond novel.
Thrift Store Hunting:
While most thrift store employees know the major brand name items, most workers are just sorting items by category. Unlike Flea Markets you want to go to Thrift Stores that are as close to the most affluent more established areas. You might have to visit a few to find a good one, but once you do you will be back again and again. One of my best finds was an authentic WWII US Army Air Forces Type A-2 leather jacket.
While eBay and Craigslist can be a great place to find some unique stuff, I have always found my best deals and most unique items while hunting around small-town antique stores or at random thrift shops. If you are looking for vintage clothing or anything upholstered, remember to have it cleaned before you bring it in the house or start wearing it.
Happy hunting!
