vintage – thediscerningstylist

I love shopping, it’s an actual problem. But being self-employed and now with the COVID-19 situation, things are going to have to change.

My love for clothes and shopping isn’t going to just go away but I intend to make smarter decisions with my shopping and help you do the same.

This year, I promised to choose quality over quantity.

Better to have 5 quality pieces in your wardrobe than 100 cheap, trendy items.

So how am I going to be thrifty yet invest in quality pieces?

Vintage shopping of course!

Some people are very selective about where they shop. I know some women who will only shop at Zara.

I am not so selective. I love clothes and I’m open to shopping in most places – hygiene being a major consideration.

I’ve always loved vintage and second-hand shopping. As much as I love clothes, I never want to feel like I’m spending an arm and a leg for something that if I’m desperate enough I can sew for myself.

I’ve always felt like you get more bang for your buck when you go to second-hand or vintage shops. But for a long time, I didn’t even really know the difference between the two.

What’s the difference between second-hand and vintage shop?

Well, a vintage shop stocks clothing from a certain era, mainly between 20 and 100 years ago while a second-hand shop is a home for previously owned clothing pieces. With second-hand clothing, it’s not about how old it is, it is just clothing that has been preowned.

I give a detailed breakdown of the difference between vintage and second-hand clothing in a previous post here.

So, a vintage shop can be a second-hand shop and you can find vintage pieces in a second-hand store but there is a major difference between the two.

I was once asked where to buy vintage pieces in Cape Town and there are so many of them. I actually did a video on it which was never published.

But today is your lucky day because I am sharing my top 5 places to vintage shop in Cape Town. Now, I don’t know if these places are open during lockdown but might be worth checking post lockdown.

5 Places To Buy Vintage Clothing in Cape Town

Maids of Honour

Situated on 40 Lower Main Road, Observatory Cape Town, Maids of Honour is home to some vintage clothes and accessories. They also have an in-house tailor who has his own line of jackets. Or, if you buy something from the store that you want to be altered, you can also have it done there. Pretty clever, huh?

2. Duke and The Dolls

On 90 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town, this store sells clothing, furniture pieces, poetry books, posters and all sorts of big and small vintage items.

3. Babette Clothing

Located on 41 Church Street, just off Long Street. Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind clothing items, imported vintage bags, jewellery, local artisan shoes and accessories.

4. Grandfunk Vintage

Sister to Retro Collectables Quirk, Grandfunk Vintage is on 26 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town. They stock old and new clothing and accessories with old movies and comic books plastered on the walls, the store is quirky. And upstairs they have an array men’s clothing.

5. The Changing Room

A bit more high-end than the others, this store can be found at 6 Cavendish Street in Cavendish and online here. From vintage Chanel bags and belts to beautiful, unique clothing pieces, The Changing Room will have you drooling and channelling your inner rich aunty vibes.

Will you be popping into any of these stores post lockdown? Leave a comment to let me know.

Or maybe you just want to drop me a note to say you enjoyed the article, I would also love that. x

Is there a difference between vintage and second hand clothing? Yes there is! I’ve used these two interchangeably in the past but they are NOT the same! And now that I know better I think it’s only fair to share that knowledge with you because sharing is caring.

What is Vintage clothing?

Vintage clothing is generally clothing from the 1920’s or 20 years before present day.

Any clothing from 1996 or older would be considered vintage to us now. Then there is “vintage style” clothing which is an imitation – can be brand new- of older style clothing. Most vintage clothing have been worn by someone else, only a very few number haven’t been previously worn.

Second hand clothing

This, on the other hand, is simply, clothing that has been owned and or used by someone else.

With second-hand clothing, it’s not about how old the cloth is. It becomes second hand if it’s been owned by someone else before you.

I love clothing and will shop in most places, mainly places that I can afford. I shop with the same fervour at River Island as I do at Jet.

There’s no discrimination in my style book. If I like it, it doesn’t matter where it’s from (unless the store smells bad or is dingy) I will buy it!

I’ve even bought a few bits and bobs from charity shops when I lived in the UK. In fact, it was my favourite thing to do. Who doesn’t love a bargain? Great that my money is going towards a good cause too.

The key to second-hand shopping though is in spotting good, quality pieces. Because I spend R70 on a shirt or dress doesn’t mean I’ll be happy with the seams coming apart or missing buttons. It still has to look good for me to consider spending any money on it.

Today, I went to a blogger’s pop up clothing sale where she sold some of her clothing but I’ll tell you all about it in an upcoming post. In the spirit of the event, I paired these shorts with a top I bought from a second hand shop in Observatory.