Dress for Less: Why Vintage is the Sustainable Solution
Does vintage appeal to you but you're still hesitant to take the plunge? At Vestiaire Collective, we're here to show you that vintage ticks all the boxes for sustainability and style. Much more than a trend, turning to the styles of the past is actually the way forward for the future of fashion. If you want to infuse your wardrobe with unique pieces of unparalleled quality and affordability, the vintage market is full of priceless treasures. Whether it's an authentic ‘60s dress or a rare piece from an exclusive, limited edition collaboration, you can easily find it using our app. Here, we’ll give you a guided tour into the wonderful world of vintage fashion, so you’ll be ready for your next shopping spree.
Benefits of dressing in vintage clothing
One of the most fun things about vintage is you never know what kind of pieces you'll come across. How are you supposed to get your hands on collector's items, styles by leading designers that have never been reissued and pieces that have long been sold out all over the world? It's possible to find them on the vintage market! By shopping vintage, you have the chance to add priceless treasures to your closet that you won't see on anyone else. By adding them to your collection, you create a unique wardrobe that suits your style perfectly. Instead of wearing the trend of the moment, you can find a look that’s right for you and that will stay with you for many years. With vintage, you can stand up to fast fashion trends that only fizzle out after a few short weeks by investing in timeless classics that will never disappoint you.
Another advantage of vintage clothing is the emotional aspect. Clothes from the past tell a story. The ‘50s gave way to looks defined by a conversative zeitgeist, whereas ‘70s dresses reflect the spirit of progress that characterised the era and ‘90s clothes suggest a carefree generation. Wearing vintage allows you to slip into the life of another person, and imagine a different time. It’s a sentimental touch that reinforces the priceless value your dress already represents.
With a vintage dress, you can be sure to stand out from the crowd and save money at the same time. It's the ultimate secret to a look that everyone will envy. At Vestiaire Collective, we have a soft spot for fashion essentials, those timeless pieces that stand the test of time without losing their value. By choosing iconic dresses such as the little black dress, the silk babydoll or the knitted dress, you can be sure that they will accompany you season after season. Find them second-hand on the Vestiaire app to give your wardrobe a happy boost.
Vintage clothing is more durable
If you don't want to contribute to the polluting practices of the fashion industry without sacrificing your style, vintage shopping is a no-brainer. According to a 2019 report published in the UK, textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined. With vintage, you can wear pieces you love without worrying about the environmental impact that comes from the mass overproduction of clothes. Since vintage pieces are already in existence, no new resources are wasted. By shopping on Vestiaire Collective, your ecological conscience remains intact. Vintage is part of a sustainable approach because most often the pieces are made with quality materials that stand the test of time. So why not opt for a vintage wedding dress rather than buying a new one?
In an estimate by the Clean Clothes Campaign, 3 out of every 5 garments that were produced in 2018 ended up in a landfill a year later. This disastrous figure is sobering when you consider that synthetic textiles are mostly non-biodegradable. The harvesting, dyeing and manufacturing of textiles has a considerable impact on the environment. But there is a better way. Buying vintage keeps clothes out of the landfill by extending their lifecycle.
Vestiaire Collective wants everyone to participate in the circular economy of fashion. The more people who participate, the easier it will be for all of us to help our planet. Our easy-to-use app allows Fashion Activists to buy and sell second-hand pieces safely and affordably. By shopping with Vestiaire, you can adopt a new way of consuming and your wallet and the planet will thank you for it. Don't wait any longer to discover our vintage selection teeming with must-have gems.
Dressing in vintage is more affordable
From the growing popularity of second-hand websites to the multitude of upcycled designs that have invaded the catwalks, not to mention the countless celebrities wearing iconic vintage pieces reissued by major luxury houses, the fact is undeniable: vintage fashion is everywhere.
Vintage fans are numerous and, perhaps surprisingly, it’s Generation Z who seems the most dedicated to vintage fashion. Today’s youth are aware that fast fashion produces far more waste than our planet can handle. But it’s not just Gen Z who are stepping out in great vintage pieces.
Recently, Miley Cyrus, Bella Hadid and FKA Twigs all appeared in the iconic Vivienne Westwood corset of the ‘90s, proving that iconic pieces are still as desirable decades later. And who can forget Kate Moss, who appeared at a New York Fashion Week dinner in 2003 in a pale yellow vintage dress? Created by French couturier Jean Dessès and dating back to 1950, this bright dress unintentionally triggered a huge success with the general public. Pieces from the couture archives have been elevated to the status of ultimate must-have luxury. The vintage Dior dress Jennifer Aniston wore to the 2020 SAG Awards immediately caused a 40% increase in searches for second-hand women's dresses online.
Like these celebrities, if rare luxury clothing makes you dream, discover our vintage selection on the Vestiaire Collective app. This is your opportunity to access pieces created by great designers at very appealing prices. Since vintage clothing has unparalleled quality, if you feel like reselling them one day, Vestiaire Collective is there to help you. In addition to earning money to invest in new second-hand models, you avoid new waste accumulating in the landfill. It’s circular fashion made easy!
Upcycling vintage is sustainable dressing
While vintage is the logical counterpart to fast-fashion, upcycling and repairing clothes or accessories is how you can make your vintage into something completely new. This trending movement takes previously worn fabrics and transforms them into a completely new design. Unlike recycling, which always requires some amount of energy and resources, upcycling adds value to an existing garment or fabric. With a little digging in your wardrobe, you can even recover forgotten pieces that could use a little refreshment with a few scissors and sewing thread. Upcycled fashion is the best alternative for the planet, but also for your wallet.
Each new season, fashion houses are inspired by their archives and the pieces that made them famous in the past. But now, aware that the fashion industry is contributing to serious environmental problems, designers are also turning to upcycling.The very talented Marine Serre, who created the essential moon-print bodysuit, makes her creations from fabric scraps, like old denim and bits of sheets. Maison Margiela offers a collection called Recicla, based on an idea by John Galliano, created exclusively from vintage clothing. The range includes bags, coats and dresses. As for the Italian house Miu Miu, it has launched a capsule collection called Upcycled, made up of vintage dresses from the ‘30s to the ‘70s, entirely revisited.
As the new standard, more and more brands are taking the upcycling route. It couldn't be better for more environmentally friendly fashion. Browse our upcycled selection on Vestiaire Collective and see how a little creativity and skill can go a long way with vintage fashion.
Vintage dressing from a global community
Vestiaire Collective is the perfect place to start building your wardrobe with the most beautiful vintage gems. Unfortunately, counterfeits of great fashion exist so be aware that when buying vintage pieces, especially from luxury brands, it is essential to go through a trusted retailer. Vestiaire Collective is a user-friendly app for reselling your high-end clothing and accessories. How can you be so sure you are getting the piece of your dreams? We have many steps in place to ensure that your special find is legit. Thanks to our team of curators and experts in quality and authenticity control, you can have full confidence in your shopping, from the first click to any after delivery concerns.
Thanks to our ever-growing community of Fashion Activists, you have access to millions of totally authentic pieces including over 8,000 new pieces that are posted online every day. This allows you to search for the vintage dress of your dreams in an environmentally responsible way since they are all pre-loved items. Thanks to our community, over 10 million wardrobes from all over the world are open to you. Imagine the unique pieces you can find with that kind of selection.
When you browse our app, you may notice a green leaf symbol next to the pieces that are located in your region, which means they will have fewer miles to travel to reach your door. It’s one of the best ways to significantly reduce your carbon footprint when shopping on Vestiaire.
Fashion is one of the world’s most polluting industries after oil production. Though this is a sad fact, we hope it can make Fashion Activists react in a positive way by banding together to change the future of fashion. There is still hope that we can reform the industry. Choosing vintage and second-hand with Vestiaire Collective is a big and crucial step forward.
At Vestiaire Collective, we are convinced that second-hand clothing is much more than a simple gesture of commitment. We believe it is the only way for fashion to have a future in a world where the environment is at stake. Drawing from the past, recovering fabric scraps and upcycling existing clothes, are all actions that can change the game. The choice to celebrate vintage, for example, is one of the best initiatives that the fashion industry has seen in recent decades. Vintage or upcycled, these pieces have always defied trends. Give these unique and beautiful garments a second life, and join the global community of Fashion Activists to be part of the change.
By buying your next dress on Vestiaire Collective, you participate in circular fashion. By helping to reduce waste and the use of natural resources necessary for the production of new clothes, you are making the choice to prioritise the environment over fleeting trends. Shake up the way you consume. Buy second-hand pieces instead of new and opt for sustainable and better-quality materials, instead of poorly constructed fast fashion.
One thing is certain: vintage dresses are still, and will always be, an essential in women’s wardrobes, but also increasingly in men's wardrobes! A vintage piece worn as a men’s dress is a way to make a statement both for the environment and for social progress.
Download the Vestiaire Collective app without further ado and begin your journey into the fashion archives to find your next favourite summer dress.