Welcome to our pre-purchase guide!
We primarily sell unique vintage clothing with soul and history. To ensure that you get the best experience, we have compiled a number of good tips and important information. Both for those of you who are used to buying used clothing - but also for those of you who are new to the universe and need help with measurements, concepts, etc.
What is vintage clothing?
Vintage clothing is typically defined as used clothing from a previous time period - often at least 20 years old. The authenticity and charm cannot be recreated in new clothing , and for the same reason, at KAPITL NUL we do not see fading and wear as defects, but as signs of a lived life. It is part of the history and character of the clothing. Today, vintage clothing stands as a strong symbol of a sustainable alternative to fast fashion.
The difference between vintage and recycled?
Recycling is used in a broader sense and covers all used clothing. It is not necessarily from a specific time period, but can also be newer clothing that is given a new life.
At KAPITL NUL we primarily focus on vintage clothing . The vast majority of the clothing is therefore a few years old, and you will rarely come across newer second-hand items with us.
How is the condition of the clothing assessed?
We do not categorize the clothes by condition because we do not believe that signs of wear necessarily make the clothes less valuable or usable. Light wear, faded fabric, bubbles and small stains are considered part of the history of the clothes. Therefore, we do not believe that terms such as
''Used - like new'' harmonizes with vintage clothing, and that is the mindset we want to do away with.
That said, we also want to make sure you know what you are buying. No two items on the webshop are the same, and that is why we carefully review and evaluate each item so that we can provide as accurate and honest a description as possible - even when it is just a matter of minor comments.
Are the clothes washed before sale?
All clothing on the webshop is washed before photography. This gives us the best conditions to assess the clothing, and therefore it should be expected that any stains mentioned in the description cannot be removed by regular washing.
The clothes are washed in neutral, gentle detergent.
Vintage clothing can have a distinctive scent - even after washing. We do not want to use perfumed products, so the scent can sometimes linger. The scent usually disappears over time, but you are of course welcome to wash the clothing yourself with a perfumed detergent if you prefer.
''Recycling should be cheap''...
...but quality has its price.
Prices reflect the rarity, age, expression and quality of the items. Therefore, prices vary depending on brand, material, time period and how unique and sought-after a piece it is.
In addition, all clothing is manually reviewed, washed and described. The finer materials are ironed. It is a time-consuming process that ensures transparency and quality. All of this is reflected in the price – not just whether the item is “used”.
In some cases, new clothes may be cheaper, but for us it's not about the price. It's about the character of the items - what you can't recreate in new. It's about keeping the resources we've already consumed alive. That's what we want to contribute to - and what we think is worth it.
washing and care
Precisely because vintage clothing is often many years old, it may require a little extra love, so we ensure that the clothing can live on for many more years.
We therefore recommend that you wash it gently , and preferably according to any washing instructions. However, it may happen that the washing instructions have worn off. A good rule of thumb is to wash vintage clothing inside out at a maximum of 30 degrees on a gentle program for regular clothes. Finer materials such as silk, wool and delicate cotton are best washed by hand or dry cleaned to preserve shape and quality. We do not recommend using a dryer to avoid unnecessary wear.
That said, remember that your clothes are meant to be used and loved – and don’t panic about a small stain or fading color. It’s part of the charm <3
