Judy's Affordable Vintage Digest Judy's Affordable Vintage Digest Issue 1 | Page 10

Treasure hunting tips at... people might be rummaging too and carelessly shovelling stock over the item they’re trying to look at just isn’t nice. Get Friendly On paper, the Kilo Sale might sound like a competitive atmosphere, everyone fighting for the best item. This couldn’t be further from the truth - we’re all vintage lovers in kilo sale Bond behind the it together! with your fellow shoppers and have a gossip; they might have an general overview amazing vintage blog or an online shop that you simply have to know about. And pay attention to their rebeccas day advice. One of my own favourite kilo buys was almost left behind kilo etiquette until a woman told me it would look amazing on me. Thanks kind lady! Words and Pictures:Jenessa Williams Dress The Part Kilo Sales don’t normally have fitting rooms, so dressing in easy to remove layers will make it easier to try things on over your clothes. This not a day for throwing on your frumpiest outfit either, looking retro fabulous might see you spotted and papped by the Judy promo team! I f you’ve never been before, Kilo Sales can seem more confusing than trying to find a bobby pin in a bedroom that hasn’t been tidied for six months. With a plethora of styles, fabrics and colours to choose from, it is often difficult to know where to start and how politely to rummage in those enormous bins (FYI: climbing completely in = not the done thing). But never fear! Using our failsafe tips, you’ll be able to snag a bagful of bargains for a purse-frendly price. The Early Bird Catches The Worm It sounds obvious, but turning up early and committing to a good hour 10 or so’s searching will allow you to seek out some of the best buys. If you’re a blogger, do get in touch with the Judy’s PR Team – they might be able to sort you even earlier exclusive entry. However, if for some reason you can’t make it down for the opening time, don’t panic– the Judy crew do replenish stock throughout the day to give everyone a chance to grab some treasure. It’s All In The Ideas With so many tempting items on offer, it’s easy to fill bags and bags of cute clothing before getting a shock at the scales. Go to the Kilo Sale with an idea of the sort of things you’re looking for, whether that be a specific era, or a type of clothing – it will keep you focused and stop you picking up things that you will never wear. Remember that certain items naturally weigh more than others – shopping for winter jumpers may yield one or two items for your £15, whereas you might be able to buy five blouses for the same price. Dig Deep With most of the stock organised in big dumpster-style bins, don’t be afraid to get those elbows in! Sometimes that perfect 70s party dress you’re looking for is right at the bottom of the pile just waiting to be discovered. But be fair – other One Man’s Trash... A bit of a sneaky tip, but one I swear by. At particularly busy Kilo Sales, there is always an area where people drag their bags and figure what to keep and what to put back into the mix. This is also worth a look for the best items, as it essentially means someone has done the sorting for you! Don’t be too creepy about it thoughfollowing someone around waiting for them to drop an item might come across the wrong side of stalkerish. Scout For Potential The very nature of shopping vintage rather than high street means that items will be a one off, and may not be the perfect size for you. They may also potentially have minor cosmetic damage. It’s up to you whether you can be bothered to fix up or upcycle items, but sometimes the items you end up loving most are those that require a little TLC. If you need an inspiration, flick to page 14 for some easy vintage D.I.Y! Our team’s top kilo picks Johanna - Velvet Party Dress ‘Kilo sales are a great place to pick up party dresses ready for the festive season! This velveteen dress would cost four times as much on the high street - I love the long sleeves and the tiny gold glitter dots. Teamed with glossy patent or leather accesories, it would fit right in an episode of Absolutely Fabulous.’ Jack Sheepskin Flight Coat ‘Being the lead singer in a band, I’m always on the lookout for Wembley-worthy stage wear. When I tried this retro flight coat on and found it to be a perfect fit, there was no way I was leaving it behind - I feel like an extra in Almost Famous. And it only cost me a tenner - what a result!’ Jenessa - Pink Gingham House Dress ‘I am absolutely in love with this twee pink number - Elaine from Seinfeld would be proud! To make 80s dresses like this a little more on-trend, lop a few inches off the skirt until it falls just below the knee, and wear with frilly socks and ankle boots. Just add an Alice band and you’re good to go! For some D.I.Y inspiration, flip to page 25.’ 11