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A Brief Definition of Vintage Clothing

Charles Dickstein is founder and chief executive officer of Clawzit in Chicago. In this position, Charles Dickstein and his team review large quantities of certified vintage clothing that are subsequently made available for purchase online to high-end clientele ranging from Dave Grutman to Zeke Elliott.

The clothing and fashion industry use the word vintage in a very specific way. In this context, vintage does not refer to a certain style or material, but the actual time period during which the clothing was made. Vintage 1950s dresses, for example, are dresses that were actually made and worn seven decades ago, not dresses that have been designed after popular trends of that era.

Individuals purchasing vintage clothing should ensure the garments have been appropriately handled and cleaned. Furthermore, individuals who truly desire all-vintage clothing should discuss what repairs or restorations have been made. In some cases, individuals might want small defects to be addressed so that the item can be worn as normal, while others might prefer the authenticity suggested by wear and tear.

Despite this use of the term, “vintage” still lacks an exact definition in the fashion industry. That said, vintage clothing is typically clothing that was made after 1920 and is at least 20 years old. Older styles and garments are considered antique.

4 Tips on Caring for Vintage Clothing

A resident of Glencoe, Illinois, Charles Dickstein is a licensed real estate broker and a business finance graduate of Columbia College Chicago. When he is not practicing real estate, he engages in his side business: thrifting. Charles Dickstein is the founder of Clawzit, an online company that sells certified vintage clothing.

Ranging from 20 to 100 years old, vintage clothing requires special care. Below are four helpful tips to consider for maintaining your vintage clothing.

1. Turn clothing inside out after wearing it. Upon removing your clothing, turn your clothes inside out and hang them up to allow them to dry. This prevents the clothing from growing mildew if it has become moist due to perspiration or rain.

2. Check over your vintage clothing before washing it. If after looking over your garment, you discover weak spots in the fabric, seams, or zippers, consider hand-washing the item to prevent further damage.

3. If you choose machine washing, close zippers and hooks first. Ensuring that your zippers and hooks are closed helps to prevent damage to the fabric in the machine.

4. Use garment bags for select items. Vintage clothing that is heavily beaded or made of silk is best kept in a cloth garment bag. Avoid plastic bags for storing garments, since they prevent the fabric from breathing and can hold odors in.

Blooming Into Real Estate

A graduate from Columbia College Chicago, Charles Dickstein holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In July 2019, he earned his license as a real estate broker through Illinois Real Estate Institute (REI). Charles Dickstein works with commercial real estate at Mohr Partners.

REI is a provider of education for professionals who wish to meet the requirements to enter the industries of real estate, mortgage brokerage and lending, insurance, law, and accounting. As the leader in Illinois real estate education, REI is accredited by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, with over 150,000 alumni nationwide.

There are three possible real estate licenses at REI: residential leasing agent, broker, and managing broker.

To be eligible for the residential leasing agent license, the participant must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or corresponding degree, pass the state license exam, and complete 15 credit hours of a pre-license program like REI. The requirements for becoming a licensed real estate broker are the same, except for the credit hours of the state-approved pre-license program. Aspiring brokers must complete 75 credits.

The managing broker license is for professionals who are at least 20 years old and have two consecutive years of experience as a broker in the preceding three years. This license also requires the completion of a 45-hour managing broker course, to pass a state exam and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.