Curated Vintage - The New Way to Shop Sustainably
Not so long ago, if you told me something was pre-worn, I most likely would’ve reacted the same way as Regina George to Caty Heron’s bracelet in Mean Girls. “Vintage? Adorable!” followed by an eye roll (okay, fine, maybe a bit more than an eye roll.) I just didn’t understand why anyone would ever want to buy something *whisper it* second-hand. Maybe it’s because as the third child, with a sister only 18 months older than me, the inevitable hand-me downs led me to an adulthood of always wanting to buy something brand spanking new. Or maybe it’s that I grew up in the 90s, a time when consumerism ballooned and new always meant better. Whatever the reason, I had an aversion to anything pre-worn and marvelled at those I met who wore their thrift finds proudly.
However, my perspective has slowly begun to change as sustainability has crept into my shopping subconsciousness more and more over time. I was (and in some ways still am) a high street shopper but it’s impossible to ignore the effects of buying cheap, often poorly made pieces. I’m guilty of all to often wearing an item only a couple of times before getting rid of it - and thus contributing to the estimated 350,000 tonnes of clothing that goes to landfills every year. And although over the past few years, many more sustainable brands have emerged, there is nothing more sustainable than buying pre-loved clothes. Depop, Vestaire Collective, even charity stores - over time, I’ve put aside my bias and even started to enjoy the times I find something second hand and given it a new home. But it can be a time consuming pursuit, particularly if you’re more of a browser, and not searching for something in particular. Fortunately a host of new ‘vintage curated’ stores have started popping up; with buyers who seem to have an eye for pieces that have stood the test of time, these often small collections are often quickly snapped up. Read below for a list of some of my favourites and you’ll quickly see why.
Maison Isidora
Stating ‘vintage is the new luxury’ this store has the most amazing selection of dresses, plus a few accessories, jumpers and a current must-have, bermuda shorts. From padded shoulders, to stand out prints, their pieces wouldn’t have gone amiss on a S/S20 catwalk.
Waiste Vintage
With a decidedly boho feel to most their pieces, this store is perfect to get your fix of Chloe and Zimmerman vibes. Plus most items cost less than they would from your favourite high street.
The Collected Goods Store
This Instagram only store has a small but beautiful collection of vintage tops (think edwardian lace and crochet) plus a selection of original Levi’s 501s.
Reformation
Occasionally this sustainable brand will add a selection of incredible vintage pieces to their site and they’re just as good (if not better) than their own label pieces. Alternatively if you’re ever in LA, make your way to their Melrose Avenue store which has rails of carefully chosen vintage pieces. This is the kind of vintage store for people who don’t like vintage stores - it has all the style, ambiance and service you’d expect from a Reformation store.
Florrie Vintage
As a fashion editor, Florrie Thomas has an eye for good clothes, and with her new Instagram page selling vintage clothes, it’s clear this isn’t only limited to new season pieces. There were so many pieces I wanted to buy in her first drop, but they go really quickly so keep an eye on her page.