Sammy Davis Shares the Ins and Outs of Vintage Shopping

Sammy Davis, Photo Credit: Diana Levine

A plethora of mini skirts, leather, and structured shoulders can be found everywhere from boutiques in Williamsburg to high-end department stores on Fifth Avenue- it’s obvious that ‘80s fashion is making a huge comeback. These trendy looks are seen splashed across magazine pages and draped on mannequins in store windows, however, the best resource for updating your wardrobe if you’re looking for unique, well-made clothing inspired from the past is vintage fashion.

I sat down with Sammy Davis, vintage connoisseur and owner of Sammy Davis Vintage, and learned some tricks of the trade. Davis spends most of her free time scouring thrift shops and estate sales and selling pieces from her collection. She blogs about her latest finds and uses her collection for styling. Read on and discover what inspired her to start her collection and learn how to score cool finds on your own.

How would you describe yourself?
When people think of vintage fashion I want them to think of me. I like to think of myself as a go-to person for self-made style. I don’t pride myself on being super stylish, it’s important for me to remain in touch with the mainstream and to be able to find items and give people what they want- wearable, quality items for everyday.

What can people expect to find in your collection?
Young contemporary fashion- a lot of pieces from the 60’s to the 80’s. I have really fun pieces and great contemporary items for work. It’s perfect for women who want to have a go-to dress or jacket. I have great accessories- lace up boots and hipster shoes and pristine clutches in all colors and shapes. I have glittery sequin party tops and lately I’ve been collecting patterned soft sweaters that are great for layering.

How did you get started selling vintage? What made you decide to take your passion from hobby to business venture?
I’ve always been interested in vintage fashion. I was browsing at the Dumbo Flea when I met a stylist for movies, Lynn, who was selling clothes and extra costumes. She was very friendly. I met her in late February and by March I decided I was going to consciously pursue this, although I didn’t know in what shape or form because I had just moved to New York the year before and I was still trying to become more familiar with the shopping scene in general. I had a lot of money saved up and I decided instead of blowing it on a vacation I was going to spend it on buying great vintage, with the purpose of selling it. When I was in Philadelphia I really cultivated my passion. I went to my favorite thrift store and I started buying suitcases and suitcases of vintage. While I was buying, I researched flea markets and I found one called Artists & Fleas and that’s where I first started selling. The indoor market is year-round and it was a great start. It was there that I started meeting people, and it’s where I met my mentor now, June. June was doing a pop-up market at the time, Dirty Pretty Things. She invited me to sell at her pop-up market and it was my first successful day selling vintage. From there June got me into the Brooklyn Flea and I’ve been selling for about 4 months.

Where do you find most of your stuff?
I’ve found a lot of stuff in Pennsylvania, but I’m really branching out and exploring new areas. Over the holidays I’m planning a road trip. I think it’s going to be a great way to acquire new vintage pieces for my collection.

Where should people look if they want to uncover great vintage finds?
When it comes to buying vintage you have to know where to go- obviously Salvation Army, Good Will, thrift shops, and humane societies are all great resources. It’s important to target areas with an older population or older communities that are far removed from urban centers because people don’t really understand the value of everything at an estate sale. The families of older people will sell off everything in the house but won’t sell the clothes- they’ll just donate them to the nearby thrift store. Sometimes they will be of value and other times the stuff will just be really cool. I can pick up shoes from the ‘70s that someone just had sitting in the bottom of their closet for 40 years. I have found things in my town in Pennsylvania in mint condition with tags on it from the ‘60s.

You’re a seasoned vintage shopper, but it can definitely seem like a challenge for someone who doesn’t have your knowledge. Can you give us some pointers?
The number one complaint I hear from people is how overwhelming vintage shopping is, but it doesn’t have to be! Thrift stores are not junk shops like some people think, they’re organized. If you know what you’re looking for you can get in and out in under an hour. I also think it helps if you bring a friend along for some feedback. Everything in Salvation Army is half-off on Wednesdays, that’s another useful pointer to keep in mind.

Before you go shopping on your own, it’s important to think about what you have the most of and what looks good on you. For example, if you really like cardigans, when you walk into a thrift store go straight to the sweater section. I also like to grab a bunch of stuff and go through it all together at the end. Taking a second look at vintage is very important. Look over the condition of the items and be conscious of how they’re going to fit into your wardrobe. It’s important to mix and match when you’re vintage shopping.

What should shoppers be weary of when searching for vintage finds?
It can be hard to distinguish between good quality vintage finds and newer items that are in the stores. The easiest way to tell is by the material. Examine the fabric and the lining and look at the font on the tags. Some will say they are union made or made in the U.S.A. I find that practically everything made before 1990 is of better quality. People shouldn’t get discouraged because it can be tricky and it also takes an eye. I can look at a rack and in minutes pull out something amazing, but this is something I’ve been working at.

Do you have a favorite vintage find?
I come across stuff that I love all the time and it can be really hard to part with things sometimes. My all-time favorite was this bright pink leather jacket, it was dead stock from a store in Miami. It was cropped and had studs all over it. When I picked it up it had a $400 price tag from 1985. I sold it for $70, right after Michael Jackson died. Bright pieces are always my favorite.

What are some of the benefits of vintage shopping as a pose to buying items brand new?
Vintage is a way to seek out great finds, like if someone is looking for a go-to leather jacket to wear all the time, vintage is the way to go. It won’t cost you a fortune to find a really cool piece to add to your wardrobe but it’s still very fashionable and stands out. Women constantly feel pressure to look good at an affordable price. This is seen all the time with women working in creative fields in cities like New York. I think vintage really brings the fun back into buying something and it’s sustainable. You can buy these great pieces that are passed down and they will last you for years. Vintage clothes aren't only about great style, they tell a story. I think it's cool to find pieces of clothing that have been saved and passed down- it's like having a little bit of history in your hands.

Feel free to ask questions or share your vintage shopping stories in the comments section below!

*You can find Sammy Davis Vintage at Sunday Shop & Bop, a one day shopping event in Williamsburg on October 18 from 12-7 PM (303 Grand Street, between Havemeyer and Roebling), and every weekend at the Brooklyn Flea (on Saturdays, in Fort Greene from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sundays in Dumbo under the Brooklyn Bridge from 11 AM to 6 PM). Feel free to check out her site or contact her directly for more information regarding her collection.