Guides & field notes
Blog
Fit guides, brand breakdowns and how to date vintage, straight from the ThriftManGuy rack.
Vintage Eddie Bauer Guide: Labels by Era, Fit and What to Buy
Sun label, script or goose? How to date vintage Eddie Bauer by its tags, which pieces are worth buying, how it fits and what to check on used down.
Read it
Vintage and Thrift Stores in Fargo-Moorhead: An Honest Local Guide
A local guide to vintage, thrift and resale shops in Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo, with what each is good for, a comparison table and tips for fit, timing and...
Read it
How to Tell If Levi's Are Vintage: Tags, Tabs and Buttons
Big E tabs, care tags, button numbers, redline selvedge and patches: how to date a pair of Levi's, plus an era chart and the reissues that fool people.
Read it
The Best Vintage Flannel Brands (and How to Tell If One Is Vintage)
Pendleton, Woolrich, L.L.Bean chamois, Five Brother, Big Mac and more: which vintage flannels to grab, how to tell if one is really old, and how they fit.
Read it
Carhartt Detroit Jacket vs Active Jacket: A Vintage Buyer's Guide
Detroit, Active, chore coat, Santa Fe or traditional coat? How the main vintage Carhartt jackets differ, how to date them by the tag, and how they fit.
Read it
Vintage Fleece Jacket Guide: Patagonia, North Face and Columbia
How to date and buy vintage fleece from Patagonia, The North Face and Columbia: tag clues, iconic models, what to check for wear, and how to wash fleece.
Read it
Vintage Polo Ralph Lauren Tags: Dating, Label Lines and Fakes
How to date vintage Polo Ralph Lauren by its tags, which label lines came when, how to spot a fake pony, and why 90s Polo fits so big.
Read it
Vintage Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica: How to Spot 90s Pieces
How to tell real 90s Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica from newer pieces: tag clues, logo changes, Tommy Jeans, Nautica Competition and J-Class, and 90s sizing.
Read it
Vintage NFL Apparel and College Sweatshirts: Makers and Dating
The 80s and 90s makers behind vintage NFL and college gear, Starter jackets, and how to date a tee or crewneck by tag, stitching and team logos.
Read it
How to Date Champion Reverse Weave: Tags, Eras and Fakes
A tag-by-tag guide to dating vintage Champion Reverse Weave, from running man and blue bar tags to tricolor labels, plus how to spot a fake and how it fits.
Read it
How to Tell If a Shirt Is Vintage: Stitching, Tags and Prints
Single stitch hems, tag brands by era, 50/50 blends, copyright dates and print wear: how to date a vintage tee and spot the modern reprints.
Read it
How to Wash Thrifted Clothes and Get the Musty Smell Out
A gentle first wash, the vinegar and baking soda fix for musty smells, and fabric by fabric care for vintage tees, denim, wool sweaters and fleece.
Read it