You can make wonderful finds at flea markets if you keep a few things in mind.
Great finds can be made at flea markets if you take a few things into account. iStock
Running a vintage online store Fida Kettunen reveals her best tips for making second-hand fashion purchases. In this way, you ensure that you end up with products in your wardrobe that hold their surface from year to year and use to year. Kettunen has also written a book on the subject, Vintage and second hand – creativity in sustainable style.
It is worth saying at the beginning that you can find almost anything at the flea market. Actually, the only thing that Kettunen does not recommend buying at the flea market is hygiene products such as underwear.
Create a look at the product label
The first thing that Kettunen himself pays attention to in flea market clothing is the product label.
He wants to see what the product is, who made it, for example, and what materials it is made of.
– Don’t cut the product label off the garment if you plan to sell it on at some point, Kettunen reminds.
If you come across a brand you haven’t heard of before, it’s worth using Google. Kettunen also does this.
Kettunen himself admits that he is lazy to use laundry services, and because of this, he does not buy products whose washing stage requires taking them to the laundromat. If that’s not a problem, there are even more options.
Love these materials
Villa:
+ breathable and warming natural fiber
+ naturally repels dirt
+ often only needs steaming or airing instead of washing
– wool does not withstand heavy wear
– it is easy to ruin woolen clothes by washing them incorrectly (at the flea market you should check the condition of the woolen material in different parts of the garment).
Silk:
+ breathable, quick drying and hypoallergenic
+ warming in winter and cooling in summer
– many silk clothes require dry cleaning or hand washing
– traces of sweat are easily visible on silk (you should always check the armpits of used silk clothes).
Flax:
+ breathable and hypoallergenic natural fiber
+ if well cared for, linen is a durable material whose quality often improves with use (this is why linen clothes purchased already used are softer than new ones).
– easily wrinkled and often requires ironing or steaming
Viscous:
+ breathable and durable
– viscose clothes always need ironing or steaming, as they often shrink in the wash
– some viscose clothes require dry cleaning
Polyester:
+ durable and easy to care for, quick drying
– abrasive and electrifying
– removes harmful microplastic waste. The good thing is that less microplastic waste comes out of used polyester clothes in good condition compared to new polyester clothes, because the used clothes have already been washed many times
At the very least, you should check the product label and the parts with heavy wear on flea-market clothing. hsyncoba
Pay attention to these details
You shouldn’t blindly trust the product label. Flea market clothing should always be searched in its entirety to avoid unpleasant surprises.
1. Inspect the garment as a whole, pay special attention to the underarms and the inner surface of the thigh.
2. In quality clothing, the zipper is usually hidden.
3. The hems are beautifully sewn.
4. The seams are so tightly sewn that you dare to pull them apart a little.
5. At the seam points, the patterns match.
The TOP 3 pearls of the flea market
1. Vintage clothes
In general, vintage clothes are durable and of good quality. Most of them have been preserved looking almost unused due to their quality.
2. Woolen coats
You can usually find better quality wool fabric at a thrift store at a cheaper price than if you bought it new. According to Kettusen, you can usually find woolen jackets at the flea market, the inner lining of which is not polyester. The inner lining made of polyester is not breathable.
3. Vintage jeans
Vintage jeans usually don’t have any or at least not as much stretch as new jeans. Vintage jeans are usually also made of thicker and more durable material than new jeans. Because of this, they withstand more wear and tear. Vintage jeans have already been used, so they have often softened to a pleasant feel.
Is it worth buying shoes at a flea market?
According to Kettusen, you can also get shoes at the flea market. However, they should be arranged before purchase.
You should twist the shoe and see what happens to it. A quality shoe is not as hard as a rock. You should also examine the inside of the shoe. That way, you can clearly see how many uses the shoe still has left.
If you find quality shoes at the flea market that are otherwise in good condition, but the sole has worn out, in this situation you can also consider taking the shoe to a cobbler.
You should hunt for vintage products at the flea market. iStock
A vaporizer is a thrift shop goer’s best friend
Kettunen recommends washing clothes bought at a flea market every time you bring them home. If you want to be extra careful, you should bring the garment home in a closed plastic bag and wash it immediately before it comes into contact with other clothes.
– Dirt is quite relative. Many people think that new clothes are clean, but in reality they contain a lot of chemicals and the clothes have often been fitted by a lot of people before you. Also new clothes should always be washed before use, Kettunen sums up.
Kettunen says that a steamer is a flea market visitor’s best friend. With it, wrinkles are smoothed out, odors dissipate, and hot steam cleans the product. Obviously, clear dirt stains cannot be cleaned with a steamer, and in that case the garment should be washed according to the washing instructions.
However, Kettunen does not recommend buying clothes that smell strongly.
– If the garment smells moldy or musty, the smell may not go away even in the wash.
If, however, you encountered a smellier flea market find, here you will find tips for removing the bad smell.
Fida’s TOP 3 flea markets in Helsinki:
1. SPR Kontti Itäkeskus
SPR Kontti Itäkeskus has a big and neat clothing department. You often come across clothing gems there.
2. Fida Columbus
Fida Columbus always has a wonderful selection of vintage clothing and accessories.
3. Punavuori Patina
Punavuori’s Parina is a cozy self-service flea market, where you can also visit for a cup of coffee.