Penelope Cruz wore an ivory vintage Balmain gown to the Oscars _200
Second-hand shopping tips
REMEMBER that vintage fashion comes with a past. Isabel has this advice for finding a real vintage gem.
* IF YOU are buying vintage as an investment, then buy the best quality you can, preferably with a designer or even haute couture label.
* DON’T be squeamish about the odd tiny mark or stain – it’s all part of the garment’s history and is a small price to pay for owning something that is beautiful, individual and may even bear an iconic name.
* CHECK the overall condition of the garment. Look for moth holes by holding it up to the light. Also check for underarm stains, which are almost impossible to eradicate.
* IF THE garment looks as though it’s going to need serious cleaning, then it’s probably best avoided, as the cleaning may not work and might even wreck it.
* IT’S important that you store vintage clothes correctly. Don’t hang satin and lace dresses – fold them between tissue paper and lay them in a drawer. Store anything moth-prone in clear plastic covers.
