Vintage is having a moment. For one, nearly every celebrity red carpet look I’ve loved recently is archival—whether it’s Jennifer Lawrence in a Givenchy gown from 1996 or Zendaya in a mesh midi dress by John Galliano for Dior circa 1998, the stars are aligned and they’re going vintage. For years consumers have been leaning toward more sustainable clothing options, but the recent uptick in secondhand sourcing can also be attributed to nostalgia being worth its weight in gold when it comes to style in 2024. Hence, it should surprise no one that the desire for vintage is at an all-time high. This is especially true of designer vintage, which has become increasingly visible thanks to the rise of so many expertly curated Instagram and online shops. While there’s no shortage of vintage-inspired contemporary designs out there today (specifically from the ’90s and early aughts), in this writer’s opinion, there’s nothing quite like getting your hands on the one-of-a-kind real thing.
I’ve always loved vintage, but I’ve never enjoyed the process of sifting and sorting through racks of clothing to find my needle in a haystack. In layman’s terms, I’m lazy when it comes to shopping (insert smiley blush face emoji). For me, it doesn’t get any better than scrolling through an Instagram story of a trusted seller with the possibility of scoring a Phoebe Philo–era Celine piece via a simple DM (which is how many shops operate). And, yes, vintage clothing can come with a hefty price tag. However, vintage designer accessories are oftentimes much more accessible price-wise than their contemporary counterparts. (And, honestly, who doesn’t love a designer-accessory deal?) I scored my own secondhand Chanel ballet flats for about $400 less than they retail today. Going vintage also means access to the novelty of an item from a specific place and time, which, depending on who you ask, is priceless.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect worn-in leather blazer or a dress you could very well wear on your wedding day, I’ve made it my business to know the best vintage sellers on the internet right now, 10 of which are below.
Samantha Friedman @ The Drop
Fashion stylist Samantha Friedman’s The Drop is a who’s who of ’90s and early 2000s Chanel jackets, YSL vests, and Ungaro blazers. While her weekly Instagram stories showcase her immediate vintage finds, Friedman’s Sunday drops are reserved for more curated, hard-to-find pieces. All are available on a first-come-first-serve basis via DM.
Devore Vintage
Owner and creative director Hannah Joseph’s goal with Devore Vintage is “to use photographic storytelling and shoppable editorials to bring antique pieces back to life,” and she does that in spades. Specializing in pieces from the Victorian era through the 1970s, Joseph’s curations are the kinds of treasures you dream about finding in a vintage shop (she has a brick-and-mortar in Birmingham, Alabama, as well), except each piece you come upon is somehow better than the next.
Either Store
If it’s vintage Comme des Garçons, Margiela, or Vivienne Westwood that you’re after (i.e., pieces with a cool factor), chances are Either Store (Chloë Sevigny’s a fan) has the item for you. Run out of California by Juno De La Cruz, the account is entirely shoppable through DM.
Arcade
Arcade comes from the community behind A Current Affair, which, truthfully should be enough said considering the semiannual trade show is considered the ultimate vintage fair. Arcade’s killer online store is where you can find weekly drops of handpicked vintage with a little something for everyone—from a rare 1970s Grateful Dead tee to sequined Christian Dior trousers circa 2005. It has two physical locations as well, in L.A. and New York.
The Vintage Marché
Run by Lili Aghaei, The Vintage Marché is the only account you need to know for vintage designer accessories. Aghaei’s covetable selections (think Chanel ballet flats in near-perfect condition and drool-worthy Gucci Horsebit bags) are available through her just-launched website as well as the shop’s Instagram Stories, where Aghaei shares weekly drops.
Vintage Grace
A celeb favorite, Vintage Grace’s founder, Chandler Guttersen, has a knack for sourcing the kind of archival pieces one can normally only dream about. (The beaded Alaïa dress from 1996 worn on two different occasions by Dakota Johnson? Yeah, that’s from Vintage Grace’s archive.) If you’re located in NY, you’re welcome to make a private appointment at the studio, but luckily for the rest of us, Vintage Grace’s online shop is chock-full of hard-to-find aspirational gems.
Happy Isles
The premier destination for vintage bridal and evening wear, Happy Isles Salon is a breath of fresh air with its collection of playful yet classic designer pieces perfect for dancing the night away. To shop with them online, look out for their Instagram story try-ons done primarily in their by-appointment-only L.A. salon. (They have a New York location as well.)
CopMeIfYouCan
Based in Berlin, Leon Teke started the CopMeIfYouCan IG account back in July 2020 and has since amassed an enviable cool-girl following. A quick scroll through the feed had me reeling over a missed connection with a Miu Miu leather jacket from 1994. To put it plainly, these finds are good. Like, really good.
Club Vintage
With the tagline, “The Department Store of Vintage Sellers,” Club Vintage showcases both women’s and menswear through a curated selection of vintage vendors from around the world. While you can make purchases through the online store, founder Anna Gray often posts try-ons of new arrivals in the shop’s Instagram Stories.
Vintage Martini
If you don’t already know about Vintage Martini, you do now! Founded in 1999, this Dallas-based shop carries vintage dating back to the 1800s as well as more contemporary pieces. (A recent scroll of its IG Stories led me to a D&G brocade vest and sheer, chain-hem Prada skirt.) The online store is meticulously organized as well, making it that much easier to find that flowy 1970s Givenchy number you’ve been fantasizing about.
-
Save the Earth, But Make It Fashion: Gen Z's Secondhand Shopping, ExplainedRead our full secondhand report.
-
Kate Middleton Just Resurrected the Once-Forgotten Trend She Last Wore in 2007It's as chic as ever.
-
Zendaya's Extremely Revealing Naked Dress Is Giving '70s CherAn homage.
-
I'm a Stylist and a Pre-Loved Fashion Company Founder—These 20 Chic Fall Pieces Have My AttentionThese boho-chic finds are guaranteed to sell out.
-
No One Stalks The RealReal More Than Me—38 Finds You Actually Need to SeeThey won't last.
-
Kendall Jenner Just Became the First Person to Ever Wear This 1999 Givenchy GownAn Alexander McQueen original.
-
From Bella Hadid to Vogue Staffers—These Are the 10 Insider-Approved Vintage Stores in NYCNo gatekeeping here.
-
The Women Behind Instagram's Designer-Vintage CrazeI suggest you get to know them.
