New to You: How to Buy, Fix, and Keep Secondhand Clothing

by Melody Fortier

Sick of cheap, wasteful, disposable fast fashion? Learn how to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and build a more sustainable, stylish closet. 

In this indispensable guide, anyone who buys or wears women’s clothing will learn how

• Avoid overpaying
• Sort trash from treasure
• Fix minor flaws—and spot major ones
• Find your ideal silhouette (including tips for plus-size shoppers)
• Alter and repurpose garments
• Care for delicate vintage fabrics

Buying older clothing means getting beautiful pieces that are built to last, without contributing to sweatshops or landfills—but only if you know what to look for. Let a vintage clothing expert guide you to ethical fashion bliss!

Previously published as The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping in 2009, this updated edition includes a new introduction and resources for evaluating online and brick-and-mortar shops.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2022

Reviews

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thorough guide to purchasing and maintaining vintage clothing. The back of the book makes this clear, but the title doesn't. I requested this from the library expecting it to be another general mending and upcycling book, and was surprised by the actual focus. I'm not sufficiently interested in fashion to pursue a vintage wardrobe, but I enjoyed the book from a historical perspective, was pleased by how many trends I could correctly identify by decade, and liked the photos.

This book only covers women's fashion. Some of the advice for purchasing and repairing clothes would still be relevant to vintage men's clothing, but I wish that this book included specific advice for men who are interested in vintage clothing (a smaller demographic, but one that exists!) and women who would also be interested in men's clothing and accessories.

[Marlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is for people who have a bit more of a passion for vintage clothing and will either be spending more money than I likely ever will on it, or else have far more time to put in to their clothing than I ever will. It was mildly interesting, but I doubt I will ever use the techniques described. It sounds like for more work than I realized. I think this would be a great guide for some people though.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really about vintage clothing instead of mending and repairing clothing. Interesting though.

[June Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book with lots of expert tips. I especially enjoyed the author's section on fashion tips by decade(s) for women's vingage clothing such as silhouettes, collars, sleeves, accessories, skirts, etc.

I borrowed this book from the local public library.

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[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

was hoping for more tailoring tips but otherwise interesting (but entirely american)