Sometimes I am asked why vintage clothes on Etsy (or in my shop) cost what they do. The answer is that each piece of clothing comes with a lot of intangible benefits that aren't always obvious to the shopper.

Here's what goes into each item purchased from Chronologie Vintage.

1. Time spent finding vintage items. Not all "used clothes" are vintage (20+ years old). It takes time searching for clothes at auctions, estate sales and other second-hand venues.

Much of what's sold online as "vintage" is actually just used--not 20 years old. Although Etsy and other venues have requirements for selling vintage clothing, it's nearly impossible to enforce them all the time. That's why you, the buyer, must be careful who you buy from if you care about getting real vintage.

I am committed to researching brands, labels, construction, and other factors to date my items accurately. It's fun and I trust that you, my customer, are also interested in knowing how old your item is.

2. Quality. To qualify as "vintage" for my shop, a piece can't just be 20 years old. It also has to have lasting appeal and quality; something unique or unusual, classic styling, great fabrics, etc. Often I pay more for these pieces on the front end, but I think they're worth it.

3. Cleaning. With the exception of leather and some dry-clean-only coats, everything I sell is clean and ready to wear the minute you open your package. This means I wash/handwash/press every item. I use eco-friendly products whenever possible and the most gentle methods I can. I will also tell you in your listing how to take care of your new item.

4. Repairing/mending. Many vintage clothes have buttons loose or missing, small tears in hems, or other minor issues. I fix everything I can find, and disclose conditions in detail in my descriptions.

5. Photographing and styling. One of the great advantages to buying online is convenience. From the comfort of your home, you can browse clothes on a mannequin or person, often with some styling ideas, and detailed photos of construction, fabric, and condition. Then, with a few clicks you can buy a great vintage piece without spending your time or money to drive somewhere.

It takes considerable time to prepare items for listing on Etsy. Photography for selling is an art in itself, and most sellers invest in good cameras and lighting. Models cost money. But the benefit to the shopper is seeing how a garment looks on a body (either real or a mannequin).

6. Measurements. Reputable sellers will give you exact measurements of the garment in addition to any size tags that remain in the piece. Vintage sizes are often smaller than today's sizes, so you really need these numbers to ensure proper fit.

I give measurements in inches and metric so shoppers from any country can buy with confidence.

7. Fees for Etsy and Paypal. Sellers using these services pay a percentage of their revenue to use them. This runs between 6-7% of selling prices.

So...to sum up, when you buy a piece of clothing from a reputable seller, you're buying a value-added garment, complete with the assurance that it's truly vintage. You're also getting the ease of having it land on your doorstep in ready to wear condition.

I hope this has helped explain pricing of vintage clothes from many shops, including my own--http://www.chronologievintage.etsy.com .

Posted at 10:25 am Feb 14, 2012 EST