/ Wearing vintage is a celebration and appreciation of the past. And that pleasure can come cheap. Although the hunt for nostalgia requires an investment of time and patience, real vintage clothing is a piece of history, and each item holds someone’s stories, their memories, their joy, and maybe even their sorrow, too.​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ That link to the past is what makes vintage clothing so special — and that’s something that a brand like Urban Outfitters or Free People simply can’t replicate.​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Wearing your values is about so much more than refusing to support companies that fail their makers (and in Urban Outfitter’s case, the public as well), it’s also about understanding that individuality and personal moral codes don’t come with a price tag. ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Here are some clues to look out for to score vintage while you're thrifting.