1 week Ago By Alice Cary
Welcome to Handpicked, a curated edit of the best vintage and pre-loved available online, updated monthly. From hero bags to long-lost fashion treasures, these are the stellar pieces on our wish lists. Shopping for vintage and pre-loved online can be overwhelming.
Resale sites are brimming with thousands of items, all hailing from various eras and brands, meaning it can be difficult to know where to start – especially if scrolling isn’t your favourite pastime. Our advice? First, look at what your wardrobe is missing and embark on your search with an idea of what you would like to add to your colletion, whether it be a specific piece or designer. And be patient.
It’s likely you won’t find exactly what you want the first time round, so make sure to keep looking and set notifications – nothing compares to the thrill of discovering the one after searching for several months. While it’s good to filter by size, sometimes it pays to be open minded, given international labelling and the size discrepancies between brands (we recommend you double check the sizing chart or message the seller if you want further information). On sites like eBay , it can also be beneficial to “get into other people’s psyches” by searching for misspelt brands or trying alternative search terms, as the platform’s pre-loved style director, Amy Bannerman, previously told Vogue , .
Here, we’ve done the legwork for you, and found a variety of vintage and pre-loved gems to inspire your next purchase, from 1stDibs , Vestiaire Collective , Rokit , eBay , Hardly Ever Worn It , and more. Yet to see something you like? Come back in a month for our next instalment. Noteworthy picks: I own many pairs of trousers, but recently I’ve found myself returning to the vintage shell pants I bought last year.
Like tracksuit bottoms, they’re really comfortable, and while they err on the more casual side, I’ve styled them with a “nice top” and jewellery for dinners, parties and work events. This velvet jacket from Rokit, a vintage Stussy tee and vintage Christian Dior earrings – sourced by specialist Susan Caplan – would complement them well. There are several items that will feature repeatedly in this article, given their versatile appeal.
Among them: LBDs (this draped curve-neck style is innately flattering), statement bags, like this beaded Fendi Baguette, and boots – right now, I’ve got my eye on these vintage Gucci knee-highs and Maison Margiela booties from East London-based archive, Baraboux. I carry sunglasses with me all-year round – preemptive of (and hopeful for!) some winter sun – and this pair from Céline are a timeless investment. As for more appropriate seasonal buys: a pinstriped Comme des Garçons skirt, complete with camo detailing, a Prada bomber jacket and a checked flannel shirt that will see you through the colder months.
Scroll on for picks from months gone by, which you might still be able to snap up...
Earlier this year, commerce editor Joy Montgomery noticed an abundance of nostalgic brand Cop.Copine pieces in Parisian vintage shops – and the online appetite for the French label is also obvious from the wealth of listings out there right now. Our pick? A graphic long-sleeved top, which would pair well with croc-embossed Dior knee-highs or vintage swirl earrings from Céline.
Keen to add flair to your autumn accessories collection? Consider a sprightly leopard-print bag from Saint Laurent. Checked shirts were commonplace on the pavements outside shows this fashion month – and this vintage style from Rokit is perfect for autumn. Layer with an oversized leather jacket, also from Rokit.
As party season approaches, we’re on the lookout for pieces that’ll go the extra mile. See: a timeless ruched LBD and studded Miu Miu bag. Suede jackets were another standout trend seen on the street-style set at the shows this season.
The best kinds were those that had a natural, worn-in feel, which can only be achieved with age (like this vintage brown suede jacket from eBay). Dries Van Noten is a brand that makes regular appearances in this round-up – owing to the designer’s masterful way with prints – and this month, we’ve got our eye on a patterned midi-skirt. Make a statement in Maison Margiela’s signature split-toe tabi Mary-Janes or Gucci’s vintage horsebit bag.
Lean into the back-to-work mood with a pre-loved Prada Galleria – realised in a punchy red shade that’s a sprightly alternative to neutral hues – a trendy Argyle knit, a cargo skirt and a Gucci watch, which is as much a statement jewel as it is a timepiece. Embrace the trending sporty mood with a vintage windbreaker and silky Adidas shorts, both of which are equal parts practical and stylish. Or if boho is more your fashion spirit, try an amber beaded necklace and slouchy Prada bag.
Pick your fighter..
