Bellingham has one or more collectible and vintage clothing retail stores. Vintage clothes are those that were created in the past, and have high aesthetic and collectible value. The idea is to preserve this clothing for its beauty rather than wearability. The past itself is a nebulous idea, and can mean anything from a couple of decades ago, to the early twentieth century. True vintage clothing is considered beautiful and worth preserving, even after the passage of time, much after that style aesthetic has faded away. Often, collectors are also history and fashion enthusiasts, who trace and study the historical context of the clothes. Thus, these dresses are often more expensive than their contemporary counterparts. Retail stores specifically for such clothing is available in Bellingham. Collecting vintage clothes can be an exciting, absorbing way to pass time, and sometimes, selling them can also net a tidy profit.