What a Top Stylist Thinks You Should Buy Secondhand to Look On-Trend

If there was ever one person you should trust when it comes to thrifting and vintage shopping, it's Bay Garnett. The British stylist is the creative brains behind many of the most iconic fashion shoots of the past few decades, and more than a significant handful of those era-defining shots will have been created not with the excess of haute couture or ready-to-wear, but with Bay's canny second-hand finds. You know that shot of Kate Moss wearing a banana-print tee? That was Bay's. Last thing we heard, the stylist still has it in her wardrobe, and, yes, it was somewhat of a prototype for Chloé's spring 2004 collection. Anyway, we digress. Basically, Bay knows just how to pick items that feel right for now, whether they're five years old or 50, £5 or £500.

So with the Vogue contributor now a consultant on VestiaireCollective.com (the super-luxe preloved site), we got in touch. There are many avenues into autumn/winter 2016 that involve vintage looks (this 1980s trend being one of them), but what would an expert recommend? Keep reading to find out Bay's hot tips for making (the perfectly chosen) old clothes perform new tricks. 

"Ruffles exploded all over the winter collections this year, and there were a lot of dramatic big and bold versions, but I love the delicate Victoriana feel to the ruffles on this vintage blouse [in the gallery below] and their contrast with the big billowing sheer sleeves. Very New Romantics." — Bay Garnett

"The tux is definitely a must-have evening piece for this season, and a vintage piece will give you a unique take on the trend. Look to Saint Laurent and Lanvin for contemporary style inspiration." — Bay Garnett

"Spotted everywhere on the catwalk shows, velvet is a key trend for A/W 16. A well-cut blazer is an easy way to incorporate the trend into any look and never goes out of style. I love the vintage version from Chloé featured in my picks below." — Bay Garnett

"Miu Miu showcased their best collection this season, and there was a lot of re-worked denim in all sorts of shapes. I found some amazing vintage denim options on Vestiaire Collective—I would kill for the Jean Paul Gaultier patchwork jacket below; alas, it's not in my size." — Bay Garnett

"A classic biker with a sporty twist feels very á la mode. This vintage version is really channelling the feel of the Louis Vuitton and Chloé collections—I love the go faster stripes." — Bay Garnett

Do you feel daunted by shopping vintage? Check out this step-by-step guide to getting it right.

Opening Image: Style du Monde