How to Bag the Best Vintage Clothing Online
Fashion Activists know that buying vintage is one of the most sustainable ways to build a stylish wardrobe. But actually finding high quality vintage pieces from a source you trust might seem challenging. Fear not. In this guide we’ll take you step by step in how to bag the best vintage looks that suit your style and your wallet. Vintage shopping can take a little more effort than buying new, but once we show you how to do it, you’ll be a vintage shopping aficionado in no time. At Vestiaire Collective, we find that the search for ethical clothing brands and eye-catching vintage is the most part fun part. Well, that and knowing your preloved ‘50s era dress that you bought on Vestiaire isn’t negatively impacting the planet.
Choose Vintage clothing by Era
You know that question on personality tests that asks which decade would you like to travel back in time to? With vintage clothing, you can go there — with your wardrobe, at least. Whichever decade you answered for that question will inform you of the best place to start your search for vintage clothing. After all, decades have a personality just like you do. The clothes of each era define whether that decade was carefree or powerful, elegant or bohemian. So which are you? Or more importantly, which do you want to be?
Each decade has a signature look that defined the generation. These are the evergreen pieces that you’ll want to have in your wardrobe. For example, it’s not hard to find a pair of Mary Janes made today, but the ones from the ‘20s still look the best. The ‘50s favoured darling petticoats and Wayfarer glasses that are still super fun for special events. The bohemian ‘70s introduced the bell bottom jean that had a huge comeback in the ‘90s. Of course everyone knows the ‘80s for the prominence of shoulder pads. Classic retro clothing like these looks can have more value based on the designer, celebrity trend and the era movements that they represent.
Don’t worry about doing cross-decade looks. A vintage dress from the ‘50s with accessories from the ‘20s is totally OK! You can even mix and match your vintage finds with your contemporary favourites. It’s all about taking the best from each era and making an ensemble that you love.
Sizing in Vintage Clothing
Browsing great looks and great deals is easy with Vestiaire. However, shopping vintage does come with a few extra considerations. Women’s clothing sizes have changed significantly over time. Usually vintage clothes are quite a bit smaller than modern day clothes. A good basic rule is that vintage clothes are at least four sizes smaller than the present-day sizes. Meaning that the often-repeated surprise that Marilyn Monroe was a US size 14 isn’t exactly correct. Yes, she was a 14 based on the sizing of the 1960s but in modern-day times she would have been closer to an 8.
So keep that in mind but remember sizes are just numbers! What matters is that inside the clothes you feel amazing. And we bet you will find some treasures on Vestiaire that will do just that. A great benefit of buying on Vestiaire Collective is that you can always use Buyer-Seller chat to ask about specifics. Our community of Fashion Activists have great insight into style and sizing. Take advantage to meet and discuss fashion with those who are just as passionate about clothes and the environment as you are.
When buying any clothes, but especially unique clothes with patterns that just aren’t made anymore, it’s a great idea to get some tailoring done. After all, bodies are so different, it only makes sense that a tailor will help you look your best in a piece that was designed on well….a mannequin. A well-fitted piece will go a long way in making you look your best. Along with tailoring you can always customise your vintage clothes with patches, accessories, even spray paint. Clothes are a blank canvas so to make your unique piece really yours let yourself get creative.
Don’t overlook unnamed vintage clothing brands
When it comes to vintage pieces, top-name labels that are still around can be reassuring. You know the quality and you know the lineage. At Vestiaire, we have plenty of great vintage Dior jackets and Chanel bags. But don’t limit yourself to the known brands. Unsigned items can have immense charm and be even more unique in style. Truly, a vintage piece from the ‘40s that was made from a designer that history forgot can be just the perfect piece that was missing in your closet.
When opting for well-known brands, whether it’s renowned gender neutral clothing brands or big houses in vintage luxury, it is always best to aim for trusted sellers and authenticity approved sites that can guarantee its originality. Vestiaire has a rigorous process of authentication and we take it very seriously. There are three routes to purchasing on Vestiaire.
Delivery with Authentication means your item goes to our team of authenticity experts for verification. We have a dedicated team that knows fashion brands inside and out so you can rest assured that your purchase is safe. Direct Shipping from the seller has the benefit of being a faster, cheaper and more sustainable option. Express Delivery means the product is in stock and already quality checked, ready to get to your door and in your closet.
Include Vintage Accessories in your wardrobe
If you think about some of the iconic looks of the past it’s never just about the clothes. Where would Audrey Hepburn be without her oversized sunglasses in Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Brigitte Bardot without her headscarf? Accessories truly finish an outfit and vintage accessories are some of the most gorgeous pieces out there. We like that each piece has a story that you can imagine, even if you don’t know the real details. Vintage accessories are like wearable pieces of stylish history.
Sometimes accessories are just as recognisable to a time period as clothes are. Where would the ‘70s bell bottom jeans be without gold hoop earrings, or the flapper dress without a cloche hat or feathered headpiece?
Vintage accessories can be paired with contemporary clothing for just a touch of nostalgia rather than a complete vintage look. It’s totally cool to mix up several accessories of different bygone years, including pairing with something very current. Tying together vintage pieces from throughout the ages is a fun and quirky way to style your ensemble.
While all Fashion Activists understand the benefit of shopping vintage clothing in order to reduce our carbon load, buying second-hand accessories instead of new is also a hugely important environmental step. This is especially true when you are buying jewellery since the commercial mining industry causes extensive damage to the earth and pollutes the waterways.
Just like with clothing, vintage accessories are often better made than what is being produced by fast fashion brands in the 21st century and when bought pre-loved on Vestiaire, they can be a lot more affordable, too.
Seek Vintage Clothing Deals
Vintage clothing can often be a great deal compared to newly produced, high street prices. Since it’s already a more affordable way of filling your closet with really special and unique pieces from the past, we can’t imagine why anyone would shop any other way than pre-loved vintage at Vestiaire Collective.
At Vestiaire, we feel that our number one priority is making fashion accessible in a way that doesn't hurt the planet. That also means we want it available at every person’s budget. In order to do that, we like to promote circular fashion by hosting special clothing deals. It’s our way of encouraging a more sustainable way to shop and rewarding Fashion Activists who have a choice in how they shop and choose to do it mindfully. Our regular offers give you access to your favourite brands at up to 70% off. Combined with the already friendly prices of pre-loved pieces, we think shopping sustainably is just as good for the planet as for your wallet.
If you are searching for a particular item that seems a little out of your price range, you can always opt to get notifications on your phone whenever a price drops for your favourite pieces. As they say, patience is a virtue, and we try to make it as easy as possible by regularly offering deals on our best brands, whether well-known labels, up and coming star designers, or under the radar names from generations past. But if you really can’t wait to get your hands on an item you’re eyeing, you can also make a price offer using the app. All of our filters and notification options can be found on the app which makes shopping pre-loved super easy.
We hope that now you feel prepared to go discover the exciting world of online vintage shopping. It’s not as overwhelming as it used to be back when you’d have to go around to multiple second-hand shops and dig through unorganised boxes to find something that may or may not even be authentic. Thanks to Vestiaire Collective’s app, shopping for pre-loved deals is easy, safe and fun.
So now, rather than looking at the same fashion blogs as everyone else, you can expand your imagination and look to the great fashions of the past decades to create your unique and one-of-a-kind-look. When you figure out how to combine vintage and contemporary pieces into your ensemble, you’ll be well on your way to curating a look that is all your own.
Vintage shopping is the ultimate way of being a conscious consumer. By definition, vintage is second-hand and we all know that shopping second-hand clothing is one of the most important things we can do for the planet. And with such an array of great items, it’s not a sacrifice to have to kiss buying new clothes good-bye. When you find such precious pieces as a vintage bomber jacket from the ‘50s or a pair of earrings that may very well have been worn by a suffragette in the ‘20s, you might wonder why you ever shopped for new fashions in the first place. Second-hand items on Vestiaire are well-made and gently used so even though they are pre-loved, you will be able to wear them for many more years.