I have a sentimental relationship with second-hand wares and vintage shopping is one of my favourite pastimes. I spent a considerable portion of my teen years frequenting charity shops with my father, who was an expert at sifting through rails and sourcing luxury treasures. He arrived in the UK in the '80s with a modest wallet and the desire to dress like a distinguished gentleman; therefore, he sought an attainable method to satiate his desires and took to pre-loved and vintage shopping as a sport. Each endeavour yielded astonishing results and he'd pluck out hardly worn premium labels whilst teaching me the art of patience, discernment and curation. It was a privileged bonding experience whilst learning through his resourcefulness. However, it became apparent how daunting vintage shopping can be as it's oversaturated.
With the terms thrift, pre-loved and vintage bandied around the fashion space, the language can be bemusing, so it's worthwhile knowing how to differentiate between them before embarking on vintage shopping.
What's the difference between vintage and second-hand fashion?
Second-hand and pre-loved refer to items with a previous owner. A seller could very well purchase a new item today, resell it a few months later and on receipt, it'll qualify as a second-hand buy as it'll have been passed through a chain. For this reason, vintage clothing is inherently second-hand but it fits into a second category referencing its age. Vintage denotes the items is between 20 to 100 years old, through which it represents styles of the era in which it was conceived. Furthermore, Noora Vesterinen, Founder of Mies Preloved, states " I consider vintage as something that holds a historical or cultural value." Purists may also refer to the term "true vintage" with items aged 50-plus. The classification of vintage drives the price increase as the value increases with historical and rare items. This explains the price disparity between pre-loved and vintage (particularly designer goods).
Why shop vintage?
Over the last decade, interest in vintage has grown resulting in a surge of online spaces and you no longer have to rummage through countless racks to find unique pieces. The vintage shopping experience has elevated considerably and we're now in a new and sophisticated era of vintage shopping online. Shopping for designer and affordable vintage clothing and accessories online has become easier than ever before—thanks to the rise of Instagram accounts, expert curators and chic and easy-to-shop website interfaces. In addition, digital platforms dedicated to pre-loved items, namely eBay, Depop and Vestiaire are also becoming increasingly popular. Whether you're interested in minimalist Dior suiting from the '80s, spirited rockabilly dresses from the '50s or runway-appropriate '00s pieces, I've borrowed 11 of the chicest places to buy vintage clothing from my archives.
The Best Online Vintage Clothing Stores:
1. Vestiaire Collective
Vestiaire Collective offers both high-end vintage designer pieces and unlabelled, rare finds at reasonable prices. I'd recommend checking out its range of vintage jewellery and handbags since these pieces often retain their value and are universally flattering. Vestiaire Collective's authenticity team routinely checks the item before it's dispatched, so be assured you'll never receive a counterfeit item or an order that's in less-than-great condition.
Shop Vestiaire Collective:
In the event I purchase a Chanel jumbo handbag, it'll likely be pre-owned.
Don't sleep on menswear either.
Just add a crisp white tee.
2. Retold Vintage
Founder of Retold Vintage Clare Lewis, hones in on simple, understated pieces for minimalists including many coveted labels. Retold boasts one of the most impressive vintage selections I've witnessed to date. The arsenal proves you can pair pieces from different decades whilst achieving uniformity.
Shop Retold Vintage:
Bridal or otherwise, this piece will take pride of place in your wardrobe.
The condition is phenomenal.
Belt this Gaultier number at the waist and wear it as a frock.
3. Curate and Rotate
Curate and Rotate is a favourite among the Who What Wear UK team. Based in Brighton, founder Melanie boasts an expert eye, through which she sources both pre-loved and vintage apparel for lovers of contemporary style. Each piece is noughties-tinged with a minimal aesthetic which is incredibly alluring.
Shop Curate and Rotate:
Pique this wonderful styling on Curate & Rotate's ecommerce site.
Power suiting made more special.
Unique cargo-style outerwear.
4. Farfetch Pre-owned
Farfetch pre-owned features vintage pieces from various boutiques across the world so if you are looking for a fast track to retro designer goods, this is a great place to start. Use the filters to find items that are within your specific size and budget, then peruse the selection and be prepared to find treasures.
Shop Farfetch Pre-owned:
Vivienne Westwood dresses will never date.
A simple to way to add intrigue to any outfit.
You'll treasure this piece for a lifetime.
4. Depop
Depop has become one of the most widely used platforms for pre-loved goods and one reason for this is its ease. Simply type in your request—no matter how niche—and stand by as the options roll in. Depop currently house separate vintage boutiques (including Hannah May Vintage), where you'll find wallet-friendly pieces courtesy of curators with an eye for vintage. Whether you're searching for the perfect pair of authentic Levi's jeans, tinted sunglasses, '80s party dresses or old-school sportswear, this is your one-stop shop. According to Hannah May, "customers’ attitudes towards shopping have changed. People now want to look individual and have ‘one-off’ pieces, rather than following mass-produced fast fashion trends. This is true whether it’s buying vintage or buying from smaller, independent brands. People are valuing quality over quantity as there’s longevity in quality. I see this shift even in my own shopping attitudes: I’d much rather save up and buy one quality piece than buy several cheaper versions of the same thing."
Shop Depop:
Opt for this unique colourway to pair with light denim this autumn.
A '90s style dream.
This darling colourway has become highly coveted this year.
5. eBay
Some of my favourite vintage finds have been on eBay, a platform with many vintage wares. Here, you'll find all of your thrift and vintage needs and the site features include filters through which you can fine-tune your search. From intricate, delicate pieces from the 1940s to the noughties delights, you won't be disappointed.
Shop eBay:
My eyes are firmly set on these Prada mules.
There's no better vintage find than a two piece, especially when the quality is so crisp.
Between the pleated skirting and collarless jacket, this two-piece is undeniably charming.
6. Sign of the Times
If you're a vintage-designer connoisseur who's looking for rare, luxury finds (especially handbags), then make Sign of the Times your destination. The shop offers a selection of vintage Hermes, Chanel and a host of high-end designers.
Shop Sign of the Times:
No one makes a preppy uniform quite like Chanel.
The aspirational Kelly awash with a striking red.
People will covet vintage Chanel forever.
7. Imparfaite
If you've ever shopped for vintage in Paris, it's highly likely that you've heard of Imparfaite and immediately wanted to try everything on (it has a particularly impressive collection of vintage Levi 501s). Here, you'll find moderately priced French-approved gems, including basket bags, leather and shearling coats.
Shop Imparfaite:
Complete with an adorable lace trim.
I have my eyes on a longline leather coat ahead of winter.
You'll find plenty of second hand suede items online.
8. Beyond Retro
Any Londoner who considers themselves a lover of vintage has plenty of experience sifting through the racks of Beyond Retro's many stores. The buyers often tap into trends before they've begun, so expect to see the virtual shelves stacked with items you didn't even know were cool yet. What's great about the online store is that you can return most items—a true rarity in the vintage world.
Shop Beyond Retro:
A nod to Y2K fashion and a piece that Carrie Bradshaw would have adored.
I've never heard anyone regret a svelte LBD purchase.
This slack cardigan will see you through many winters ahead.
9. Atijo Store
Concieved in May 2029 by London-based stylists Anu Odugbesan, Londiwe Ncube and Safiya Yekwai, Atijo was founded to provide a curated and premium shopping experience for lovers of vintage shopping. Their mission: spotlighting the landscape of preloved pieces and championing diversity. Each piece is expertly curated for the modern, discerning shopper.
Shop Atijo Store:
A shrunken blazer is synonymous with vintage style.
A directional power suit.
A prime example of the prevalence of cyclical trends.
10. Downings
Downings' USP is vintage and vintage style footwear, namely '90s style pointed toe mules and slingbacks. If you're looking for smart footwear you won't be disappointed with its chic offerings that are suitable for office and off-duty days.
Shop Downings:
I'm not usually one for colour but this deep berry instantly caught my attention.
The two-toned motif paired with the yellow toned leather is unmatched.
Slip on and off with ease.
11. Mies Preloved
Established by Parisian-based Noora Vesterinen, Mies Preloved stocks a sumptuous curation of high-end vintage goods with a particular focus on Hermès by Margiela. Inspired by Noora's adoration for streamlined and refined clothing, you'll discover a wealth of timeless and quality clothing to integrate into your forever wardrobe. Founder Noora Vesterinen says, "There’s a desire for individuality and discovery that mass luxury retail no longer provides. There's also a growing awareness that vintage clothing often has a level of craftsmanship (silk linings, hand stitching, high-grade wool) that is rarely matched in contemporary production".
Shop Mies Preloved:
Introduce a light suede into your arsenal. Pique the silver-toned toggle, too.
Comprising 100% cashmere and a darling herringbone weave.
You'll span plenty of wear from timeless wool outwear.
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