Browse Old Magazines
Old magazines offer a wealth of information on vintage clothing (pictures and designer information) because those magazines were published during the particular point of time in which the garment was designed. Obtain a magazine dated during the fashion era you’re interested in. My favorites are Vogue, Vogue Pattern Book, McCall’s, Charm, Seventeen, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Become familiar with fashions and advertisements throughout the magazines.
Browse Old Newspapers
Just as with old magazine, old newspapers contain a myriad of information that’s useful in deciphering vintage fashion from modern day clothing. Some old newspapers are more helpful than others, but start with you home town paper because people who lived in your area were more likely than not to shop in department stores within their immediate living area because people didn’t travel as much. After you’ve surveyed old magazines in your area browse newspapers of other areas in major fashion capitals such as New York and California.
Examine clothing Labels
Older clothing labels look differently than what we’re use to today. And old labels didn’t generally contain as much information as we’re use to seeing on clothing labels today, but even that depends on the era of clothing you’re reviewing. By examining the label you’re able to obtain important designer information and year of manufacturing both of which are helpful in deciphering whether or not an item is vintage or modern.
One of the best sources of information on vintage clothing labels is at the Vintage Fashion Guild’s label resource database.
This database contains over 844 pictures of vintage/retro and antique clothing labels, sorted by name. 
Attend Estate Sales
Be careful, frequenting estate sales is addictive. If the owner is older more likely than not they’ll have a closet full of old clothing to look through-you’ll be surprised at how much stuff people keep over the years!
Look At Old Sewing Patterns
Studying vintage sewing patterns is an excellent way of learning how to recognize vintage fashions. Some of the pattern envelopes have photograph depictions, have detailed illustrations.
Watch Old Movies
I grew up watching old movies featuring Liz Taylor, Doris Day, Greta Garbo, Ava Gardner, Rita Hayward, Audrey Hepburn and Jean Harlow. There are thousands of movies you can watch just for the sole purpose of learning about fashion from a particular era in time.
Visit Reputable Online Websites And Blogs
There are thousands of vintage clothing sellers online, including yours truly, but competition stems growth and sites like Couture Allure Vintage Fashion, ,the blog and Couture Allure Vintage Fashion ,the website Pintucks, and Hollyvogue Vintage all offer a wide selection of vintage clothing.
Visit various sites, browse and learn.
Vintage Fashion Boutiques And Antique Stores
One of the reasons I wish I live in Oregon is because of Portland’s House of Vintage, a one-stop shop of at least 55 independent dealers of vintage wears. For me, it would be like wonderland.
Just as easy as you can visit online sites to learn about vintage clothing, you should check your local area for physical vintage boutiques and antique stores that sell vintage clothing and accessories.
Visit Older-Off-The-Beaten Track Thrift Stores
Many thrifts, at least in this area, are becoming way too pricey to be considered thrifts and more and more are selling straight junk. Most of this is a result of thrift owners and workers taking good merchandise for themselves or hoarding items they feel they may be able to sell on eBay.
Maybe the same is happening in your area.
So what do you do? I visit what I call “off-the-beaten-track” thrifts. These are the smaller mom and pop thrifts. You can find some real gems in these places. An off-the-beaten-track shop tend to have older true vintage items than the larger thrifts that are pretty “commercial” today. Browse clothing racks-you’re sure to find some wonderful vintage and retro items.
Sewing Pattern Portal
