Tips for Finding the Perfect Pair

In my experience, all thrift store in Destin, FL and vintage shops have a denim section. If you walk into a vintage shop and are having trouble finding the denim section, don’t be shy about asking for help. 

There are also great online resources for denim shopping that can make the process more seamless, along with finding a wider range of sizes. Check out our online vintage shop roundup as a good place to start. 

LOOK AT THE TAGS

When I am shopping for vintage denim, the first thing I look at is the tag. Over time, I have acquired a good eye for knowing if the tag is vintage or not. The key is noticing the information on the tag itself. Use this visual guide to help in distinguishing vintage tags based on eras.

The logo on the tag is a great indication that you have found a vintage piece—see the font and the way the tag is sewn into the jeans. Another thing I look for is “made in the USA.”

Manufacturing outside of the US didn’t spike until the late 1970s and, while it is still vintage if it doesn’t say made in the USA (a true vintage piece is 20 years old), the quality is typically higher if it was made locally.

FIND THE SHAPE THAT WORKS FOR YOU

Be prepared for the sizing and shapes to be totally different than modern denim. Vintage denim jeans are four sizes smaller than modern jeans. Try not to focus on the sizes, however, and rather on how well the jeans fit. Bring a variety of sizes, washes, and shapes into the dressing room with you. 

It may take some time before you find the right fit for your body type. And remember, you can always get your denim tailored. When I found my first pair of 501s, they taught me the magic that is tailoring—it allows you to create the perfect fit for your body.

When shopping for vintage denim, I ask myself a few questions to help me find the right fit and determine where the piece will need tailored:

• Does the inseam sit where I want it on my hips and waist?
• Do I like how the jeans sit on my booty?
• Where is the length of the jeans sitting?
• How baggy are they? Are they too baggy around the thighs or waist?

FEEL THE FABRIC

Being that synthetic fibers have been around since the 1930s, many vintage pieces have blended fabrics, which aren’t the most lasting or highest quality. When shopping for vintage denim, you want to look for pairs made from 100 percent cotton and woven twill.

True vintage denim is thicker in feel, being that it does not contain synthetic fibers, whereas modern denim jeans are much stretchier. With this in mind, it may take time to break in a new pair of vintage denim—just like leather, thicker vintage denim takes some time to break in to fit your body.