I'm a Vintage-Lover—Here's How I Style My Favourite Secondhand Finds

I've always been a big vintage lover, but at this time of year, my secondhand wardrobe always enjoys a little renaissance. As the seasons change, so does my style. Yes, I'm dressing for a different temperature but also a different mood. For me, summer conjures up more of a free-spirited energy, one that's evoked by a calendar filled with holidays, festivals, and, therefore, fun and nostalgia. Many of us get a greater urge to travel around now, and for me, this desire for adventure can be seen quite literally in my sense of dress. Where my winter uniform is pared back, every day in summer is an opportunity for expression. One day, I may be California Dreaming, wearing of a mix of white lace, suede and fringe like a seventies Daisy Jones. Others, I find myself reaching for casual staples like Levi's jeans and an oversized vintage T-shirt.

Of course, this time of year also brings World Earth Day (20 April), which is as good an excuse as any to think about how our fashion choices have an effect on the planet. When it comes to shopping, there's no denying that buying secondhand is the most sustainable. Nowadays, this certainly isn't limited to car boots sales and eBay (although, for me, there's really no better to spend a Sunday than rummaging through a car boot or trolling eBay for '90s Versace, early-00s Prada or Philo-era Celine). We have Vestiaire Collective, which, if you ask any fashion insider, I'm sure they'll profess just how great it is for luxury finds, and equally good if you're looking to sell yourself. If you're a handbag person, The Luxury Closet is the one to head to, as it has an insane collection of accessories. 

Gen Z's heightened interest in the planet has caused its own vein of secondhand shopping culture, too. Without any surprise, most of it lives through the eyes of tech and social media–ultimate charity shopping hauls are the source of many TikTok videos, and apps like Depop are the preferred way to shop vintage. Finds is the latest one, which amalgamates the best part of the likes of Depop with social media. The community-driven digital space allows you to shop an array of secondhand garments as well as handmade pieces from independent sellers and is a great way to support up-and-coming designers. Once you've purchased them, the app encourages you to showcase your finds by posting videos of you in them.

As well as the notion that you never know what you might find when hunting for secondhand treasure, the thing I love most about vintage shopping is the storytelling. Not only do most pieces come with a tale on where you found them (usually for me it's a thrift store I stubbled up on my travels), but their age signifies a history. Sometimes we inherit pieces from family or friends, but other times we buy a piece and will never know its home before ours (and isn't that magical?!). As a vintage-loving fashion editor, one of the questions I get asked a lot is how to style my favourite pieces.

So, I thought it was time I showed you. Here are some of my best vintage buys, and a lesson in how to style them. 

THE '80 MOON BLOUSE

Style Notes: I bought this '80s silk blouse in one of my favourite vintage shops in Brooklyn for $50. My boyfriend actually picked it out for me as he thought I would love the moon print that felt very Marine Serre. He was right. The high neck and shoulder pads give this slinky silhouette some structure, and I love how easy it is to tuck into trousers. As much as I enjoy dressing it down with jeans, I like to elevate a vintage silk or satin blouse with high waist tailored trousers and gold buckle belt. You could pair this with heels, but I think my velvet ballet flats and a bow feel a bit more current, are definitely more comfortable, and are still chic. 

THE '90S VARSITY JACKET

Style Notes: Funnily enough, this is another purchase one that includes my boyfriend. He bought this, against my suggestion my I add, in a flea market in Mexico City (if you're ever visiting the city you must check out La Lagunilla). He'd wanted a Varsity bomber jacket but I wasn't sure he'd ever wear it. I was right–he doesn't, but I do regularly. It cost around £30, and it pays for itself in compliments. Although I love it most with denim, I don't like to wear too much blue, so usually stick to bleached wash, white or black jeans and an oversized T-Shirt. Fun fact about me: I collect old Hard Rock T-Shirts, this one–a '90s Orlando edition–is my favourite. 

THE '70S PYJAMA SET

Style Notes: My most recent vintage buy, and definitely my best of the year–is this silk-satin pyjama set. I bought this at my local thrift store in Walthamstow, Gigi's. The owner told me she thought it was men's set from the '70s, but she put a drawstring in the waist so it fits me fine despite being oversized. I love, love, love how slouchy it is, with sneakers and a simple necklace this is the key to lazy dressing. 

THE '60S CROCHET JUMPER

Style Notes: This crochet jumper is one of my most-worn vintage items of all time. I used to manage a vintage shop in Liverpool whilst I was at university, and the best part of the job was that I got to cherry all the stock. I pulled this pristine white jumper out of a delivery one day, put it on and basically never took it off. It's cotton so super breathable and washes really well–so has lasted all these years. But the thing that's best about it is how malleable it is. I wear this over slip dresses in summer and with denim all year round. By swapping trainers for my Gucci slingbacks and a blazer, this goes from cool, comfortable and casual to office appropriate. 

THE '90S COWBOY JACKET

Style Notes: Did someone say "Coachella"? Festival season is upon us, and I never head to a music event without my trusty cowboy jacket. I bought this when I was 16 at the Oxfam stall at Glastonbury for £3 (!!!). A few years later I actually went to sell at a shop Brick Lane in order to make some extra money for a holiday. I was just about to accept £50 for it, when a fellow vintage shopper tapped on the back and persuaded me not to. I'm so glad they did! Now the coastal cowgirl trend is really taking off, I feel like this jacket takes my love of cowboy boots up a notch. To me it looks best with an ultra-feminine dress below it and my clogs. 

Next up, discover eight of the best secondhand buys here.