FAQ
Purchasing
Why can't I add an item to my bag?
One of two reasons: the site may be in holiday mode or the item you're after is already sold out. There will be times checkout is paused (for visiting friends out of the city, because a human runs this shop) so if you're trying to check out during that time, you'll have to wait it out for another day or two, we'll be back soon! Double check the Holiday Mode page, there you'll find closure dates and shipping timelines. The second reason is less fun. Looks like you could be interested in a piece that has already been purchased. It's likely we're hunting down another like it, so check back to see if we find something similar in the next drop. One better? Reach out via our contact page or DM us to tell us what you're after!
Shipping
Where do you ship to?
At the moment, we'll be shipping from coast to coast within Canada exclusively. We'll keep you updated if this changes in the future.
When can I expect my order to be shipped?
Orders dispatch in 0-3 business days depending on what time of day the order has been received. We'll be zipping around behind the scenes to err on the side of fastest dispatch possible and you'll receive a shipping notification and tracking number as soon as it's en route to you.
In the case the shop is on holiday, there will be a note on the product page you'll see prior to checkout that the estimated order dispatch has changed from regular scheduled programming and may affect when you will receive your order. Please keep an eye on the shop banner, make sure to double check your cart prior to check out if you're on a tight timeline and watch for shipping deadline info on the home page for updates.
What are my shipping options?
There are a few carrier and delivery options to choose from. At checkout, you'll see a list of available choices that range from simply tracked to fastest possible. Some rural routes may show limited options. Sorry about that, we're working on expanding shipping options in the near future.
The shipping options filter by weight and size, so each item may show a different shipping price. It will also adjust automatically if you have more than one item in your cart.
For Ontario residents, local delivery carriers for the GTA are in the works and will only display as an option for residents that qualify.
Returns
My purchase doesn't fit, can I exchange it for another size?
The beauty of shopping vintage is that the pieces can be quite rare, even if it's just a cool sweatshirt! The downside is that unless we restock that exact piece in another size, sadly we are unable to accommodate a sizing exchange or return. We suggest paying close attention to the measurements provided, and if you're unsure, we're happy to double check a specific area of the garment for you. Send over a hello and let's figure it out!
What if I just changed my mind, can I return it?
AV is all about mindful shopping; it's a small crew over here and while ordering a vintage haul sounds so fun, we are not able to accommodate a buy-everything-and-return-it-later mentality.
Vintage items may have slight imperfections. While all major flaws will be mentioned and/or photographed, due to the nature of vintage, some articles may show minor wear. Our full effort will be made to correctly convey the condition of each item, and due to this, all pieces are final sale. If you are truly unhappy with the item and believe it was misrepresented, please send a message and we will find a solution that works for everyone.
Condition + Storage
What condition are the clothes in?
We have cared for all clothing pieces that can be reasonably laundered and taken some in for professional care that are dry clean only. Though we do steam/ iron/ clean each item, it's inevitable that some pieces will crease during transport and should be attended to prior to storage. All items are stored in a cool, dry place, hanging or gently folded here in the studio. We have included suggested future care and storage notes for each piece within their descriptions so you are in the know for how to best look after the piece once it's yours. For more in depth info, head over to our Journal for more laundering and upkeep tips.
Housewares and accessories have been wiped, washed, cleaned and/or cared for to the best of our abilities unless noted (ie. books with a paper cover and no jacket, noted wear marks like paint, leather wear, etc).
What do Near Mint/ Excellent/ Very Good / Good/ *wear noted/ *repair note mean?
A litany of naming conventions for what kind of shape something is in exists out there and that can be very confusing! At AV, we run on an integrity-of-quality basis with the condition labels we use, so generally, we use 3 variables that determine a condition label:
- Structurally and aesthetically, will this piece last for many more years in its current condition?
- Are there visible imperfections on the item (ie. marks, stains, rips, tears etc.)?
- Has this item been cleaned or repaired so that it can be enjoyed to its full potential?
This translates to (in order of best best best to still wearable, but notably flawed):
- Mint/ Near Mint/ Deadstock Mint: Item is near-new, has either never been worn or looks as pristine as the year it was made in.
- Excellent: Item has been worn and not only looks, but performs beautifully for its age. It has been taken care of with great love.
- Very Good: Item has been enjoyed by its previous owner, but still has a lot of vintage life left to live. There may be minor areas of wear within this item.
- Good: Item was well enjoyed, but possibly not taken care of in the way it deserved. There are areas of minor wear present, but it holds potential for a bright future.
- *wear note: Items with this conditional asterisk do have visible wear marks and are noted clearly either by photo or within the description, often both. For example, an item may be in Excellent condition, but have a small wear mark. We make sure to mention wear marks in every case they are identified. Sometimes the asterisk is included for future wear suggestions.
- *repair note: Items with this conditional asterisk have been repaired by AV or another professional to increase the structural integrity or visual appeal, prolonging its life by keeping it in rotation.
- *note: Often included to mention a specific cleaning practice taken while the item has been in AV's care. Sometimes will include information as to a missing matching belt or extra button and info of that nature.
Sizing
I'm in between sizes, how do I navigate vintage sizing?
As vintage sizing can differ greatly from modern sizing conventions, please refer to our listed measurements and/or suggested current fitting sizes for your best match. A size 10 can fit a range of modern sizes from XS-XL, so we've included that extra information for clarity. You know your body best, so make sure to double check those measurements!
All clothing measurements are taken flat: bust, waist and hem taken flat are doubled. Housewares and accessories are measured with a soft tape to bend around the items for a more precise evaluation.