Buying Vintage

“Vintage” in wine terminology refers to grapes that were grown and harvested in a single specified year.  So grab a glass of vino and read on.  As it relates to accessories and clothing, vintage is a generic term for "old" clothes, or put more euphemistically, items that originated in a previous era and thus have perceived value to us. Although there has always been some demand for old and/or second hand clothing, the awareness, desire and acceptance of this has increased dramatically since the early 1990s.  This is due in no small part to ubiquitous sightings on actresses, models and celebrities.

As a point of distinction, typically, clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as “antique” and clothing from the 1920s to 1980s is considered “vintage”. Retro, short for retrospective, usually refers to clothing that imitates the style of a previous era. Fashion goes in cycles; at times people are drawn to designs that are modern or contemporary.  At other times, we turn to history for inspiration or comfort.  That time is now.  Also playing a role in the current popularity of vintage is the increasing interest in sustaining the environment; we at The Feathered Head strongly believe in reusing, recycling and repairing rather than throwing things away (see our shipping policy).  TheFeatheredHead.com offers many one-of-a-kind pieces that are entirely vintage or comprised of vintage parts.  As such they have had a previous life and may show signs of age-appropriate wear. You buy a vintage item because it has an historical patina and perhaps some imperfections.  Most condition issues visible to the naked eye will be stated in the item’s description but we cannot guarantee that every irregularity and sign of age will be noted. Nor can we guarantee the longevity of any item.  Please note the vibrant colors of some feathers and fabrics may fade over time or become discolored.  If your item becomes damaged at any time, please let us know and we will do our very best to repair it.  If you have a question about any item or would like to see additional pictures prior to purchase, please contact us at info@thefeatheredhead.com.