While Beverly Lane has everything a stylish modern woman could want in new clothes, sometimes a vintage piece is exactly what you need to complement your new trendy fashion clothes. Besides, vintage fashion can save you a lot of money if you do it right. Here we present five of the best tips going for getting the most our of your quest for quality vintage gear:

#1 A woman’s fashion vintage tip: Don’t expect too much

Vintage is great, but you have to start out with realistic expectations. Those dreams of finding a trendy fashion designer suit for peanuts are unlikely to come true, if only because everyone else looking is hunting for the same sorts of things. A more realistic expectation is that you will find at least one thing you’ll enjoy wearing for a great price ever time you go vintage shopping. Our experience is that this is entirely achievable.

#2 A woman’s fashion vintage tip: Give yourself plenty of time

Shopping for vintage clothes can be a time-consuming process, because the clothes aren’t laid out neatly and with plenty of room like in a regular store. In fact, often vintage clothes are crammed together on racks or shelves, and you’ll need to sort through them yourself to find the gems. Also, vintage stores won’t be all together in a row like new trendy fashion clothing stores in a mall, so it will take you time just to get between one vintage store and the next.

#3 A woman’s fashion vintage tip: Learn the routines

Different thrift and vintage stores will receive deliveries of new (old) clothes on different days. Take the time to get to know the staff, and they’ll happily let you know the best days and times to come in so that you have first pick of the new trendy fashion stock. These days there are often professional eBay traders combing thrift stores for designer pieces to resell, so you need to be quick!

#4 A woman’s fashion vintage tip: Remember about alterations

If you find a great vintage piece in a vintage or thrift store, but it seems to be the wrong size or shape for you, don’t forget that you can always have a tailor alter the piece to your specifications. Tailors can’t work miracles, but at long as what you find is well-made and not much too small for you, they can usually help turn your vintage finds into wearable trendy fashion for you.

#5 A woman’s fashion vintage tip: Be accommodating and persistent

The best way to shop for vintage clothes is on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This gives the thrift and vintage stores enough time to get in new stock to refresh their racks. Even then though, you’re rarely going to find exactly what you what. So rather than go into vintage shopping with a clear idea of what you want to find, like you might when shopping for new items, just browse, and look out for what is beautiful and of quality. Also, be persistent – sometimes when you shop vintage you’ll spend a fruitless hour, and walk away with nothing. This is all part of the game, so don’t let it discourage you. The next great vintage find could be just around the corner.

A leather jacket can be a long standing signature piece in your wardrobe. To keep it looking great and wearable through the years though, leather needs to be cared for and maintained properly. Unlike other materials leather can easily become cracked and appear worn, however; a few simple steps will keep your garment in tip top shape and see it still looking as good as new in five or ten years time.

Washing: Leather clothing should never be put into a washing machine. If there are marks or stains on the outer of the garment, a damp sponge should suffice in removing them. When the lining of the garment is in need of a thorough clean, the leather piece should be taken to the dry cleaners, or even better, a specialist leather cleaner.

The Weather: If leather gets wet frequently and then dries out, the process can warped the leather, resulting in misshapen garments. Before wearing your leather jacket in wet weather, take a leather friendly, odourless waterproofing spray and lightly cover the garment with it. If the jacket does get wet in the rain, hang it in a wide hanger on return and allow to air dry away from any heat sources.

Maintaining: Leather jackets can become cracked if they are not conditioned properly. Using a special leather conditioner is preferred but some petroleum jelly on a piece of cloth will suffice. Massage the conditioner into all of the jacket taking special car of collars, cuffs and elbows.

Storing: To keep your leather jacket at its best when it is not in use: store it properly. Use wide hangers to keep the jacket in shape and hang it in a cool dry place. Leather is a natural material and can be effected by things like sunlight and moisture. Use a storage bag over your leather jacket to protect it from the elements and keep it clean, ready for wear when the next season arrives.

Following these simple tips will maintain your favourite leather jacket for many years. Leather jackets have been and will be in and out of fashion forever but knowing that you have a well kept jacket at the back of your wardrobe will keep you ahead of the pack.