How to spot real vintage (without a magnifying glass)

Single stitches, union tags and the sniff test. A field guide for second hand clothes in Dubai.

Vintage isn't a vibe, it's a date. Anything 20 years or older qualifies, and the clues are usually sewn right in.

Check the hem of a tee: a single line of stitching usually means pre-1995. Check the care label: no label at all can mean even older.

Zips tell stories too. Brass Talon or Scovill zips point to mid-century. Plastic YKK with a modern pull? Probably not.

And yes, smell it. Real vintage smells like a closet. Fast fashion smells like a factory.

← Back to Insights