Review of: "Shopping For Vintage", by Funmi Odulate.

Review by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

Love this small, hold in your hand book, beautifully illustrated by Richard Merritt and published by St. Martin's Griffin, New York, 2008.  Fashion writer and editor of Colures magazine, Odulate has written "the definitive guide to vintage fashion".  For clothing to be vintage, it has to be more than twenty five years old.  The first chapters, then, cover designers and styles from La Belle Epoque - 1890-1914, and every 10 years after from the twenties to the 1980's, finishing with Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons.  Very important to know the history and the labels, not only for a closet, but also for a collection.  Other useful definitions include: Antique = before 1920, Vintage - 1920-1980, Retro - 1960-70 (casual wear) and secondhand, after 1980's.  Ensuing chapters are: The Art of Buying and Collecting - tips for distinguishing what is really worth it, Vintage Going Forward - planning your now collectables for investment in the future, Vintage Accessories, jewellery, purses, footwear and more and a Vintage Store Directory for many countries, including Canada, Vancouver (listings are current) and Toronto too.  The theme of this little gem is "Dress for yourself; buy quality of fabric and design."  Very worth having, especially for its gorgeous illustrations and great vintage information and very reliable sources.