Clothes from top designers are a bit magical, they are made from the best fabrics in the most amazing colors, their cuts are innovative and interesting, and they just look like little works of art. Unfortunately, just like art, they cost way more than your monthly budget lets you spend on garments, so you can only look and admire, but when it comes to buying you reach for less glamorous options. Unless you’re willing to hunt a bit, fix a thing or two and shop vintage.

In some vintage stores you’ll simply find old clothes, but in others you’ll come across couture dresses, coats with the best labels and accessories from best designers. Granted, some of them will bear a name that has been out of the business for years, but you can certainly find items from most famous fashion houses from all around the world. It’s a matter of finding a good vintage store or two and regularly visiting it so you don’t miss any occasion.

Buying vintage is a bit tricky, as sizes and shapes have changed over the years, so it’s best to buy in a store where you can try things on instead of online. If you do buy over the internet, make sure you know not the size but the actual measurements, and that in case tings go wrong you ca return a given item. When you buy at the store, always ask for a second opinion, so take a picture with your phone and send it to a friend or contact her via webcam to twirl and present a possible buy, because where you’re not sure if it’s a dress for you, she may see where to take it in or change to make it perfect.

Once you buy vintage, make sure you take good care of it. Just because a skirt is old and has been previously owned, doesn’t mean you should just throw it in the washer and drier. If it has any directions for care, follow them, ad if the item doesn’t have any label, you’ll be best off taking it to a trusted cleaner and asking for advice. That way your item will be in great shape and you’ll be able to wear it for years to come, as the quality of designer garments is up there wit their prices.