Old stuff is brilliant. It looks quirky and beautiful, and nine times out of ten will last longer than an IKEA shelf or a Topshop jumper. And if you know how to do it, it can be cheaper.
That’s the problem though – you need to know how to do it. I’ve been known to go into Beyond Retro and feel a vague level of desire for pretty much everything in there but not actually want to buy anything. I’ll stare at a mental jumper for a while, trying to decide if I’d look 'edgy' or 'like a knob' (or 'both') if I wore it, and then I meander off to H&M to buy a black skirt.
Some have a real knack for spotting decent vintage items, although I have a suspicion it takes a fair bit of time and effort to get good at it. But if you don’t have a handy stylist friend, or know an antique expert, fear not. The good people at the Guardian and the Observer have a couple of guides coming out this weekend which might be a good start to becoming someone who knows about old stuff. Either that, or they might useful to take with you when you go to buy a lamp.
Part one covers clothing and collectibles, which I think I’d find particularly useful. I love the idea of buying vintage dresses but find it difficult to know where to get started. I hope it covers how to get clothes that actually fit you, as that seems to be one of the biggest challenges with clothes that were cut to fit the skinnier types who lived 50 years ago. Find me a pretty dress to fit my big belly please, Guardian.
Part two covers furniture and interiors, which I guess makes having a house, and having enough money for furniture, a prerequisite. But you know, maybe I could learn about vases or something.
I still have the Guardian’s guides on how to fix broken stuff (sewing and things) and I have to admit I haven’t used it yet. But the vintage guides might be good if you have a particular purchase in mind, or you want to get to grips with the world of old stuff. You can have a little look at them on the Guardian’s website.