Check out my vintage section to see why wearing secondhand clothing is all about having fun. To buy fabrics of the past that are quality finds. In 2022, we know that Fast fashion destroyed the hunt for niche high-quality items. It’s why I hate ZARA, H&M let alone Primark.
My name in Italian is Grazia. My advice is to look at old fashion paper magazines and be inspired. Ditch the digital like Tik Tok and learn the art of magazine fashion.
Why Buy Vintage?
Secondhand fashion separates the elite of style. Here in Italy, it is so refreshing to see how they are stuck in the 1980s. It’s like going back in time.
Italy is stuck in the 1980’s era including the style of their boutiques.
The Resale Market Is Booming
According to research by ThredUP (an online consignment store) and GlobalData (a data analytics company), the resale market is projected to double in the next five years, reaching £67 billion by 2025, growing at a rate of 11 times that of traditional retail. I am old enough to remember the horror of hand-me-downs but delighted to witness this flourishing fashion revolution.
Gucci Suede Aviatrix Boston Bag
After the war, Gucci created a logo with the shield and armoured knight. Very rare to find. This one is at a Market in Tuscany.
Gen Z and millennials are committed to sustainability. Wearing second-hand clothes is much cooler it’s seen as savvy, not stingy.
I observed in Holland the youth generally asking if the piece is second hand. Buying vintage clothes for the young is all about the feel-good factor. Is all about knowing it’s truly vintage or at least twenty years old.
My daughter bought these Burberry tailored trousers. They are new with the tag, Made In Italy. When Burberry was in Italy. Seeing tags of the past is fun in itself.
This store had endless 1980s, Levi’s 501 jeans. The young lady serving knew exactly how to measure my daughter and find what she was seeking. This buying experience and service is long time gone. It was a wonderful buying experience. It taught my teenage daughter the art of quality buying, shopping without the price tag.
Why I Buy SecondHand?
“It’s all about the hunt to find something original. I put together an outfit that no one else is wearing,”. I love the attention I get for my efforts.
For me, I have always been a trendsetter. Fashion for me is an expression of my personal style, rather than the latest ‘must-have’.” I don’t even buy magazines. I just truly am raw purchasing talent. Go with my gut.
Everything I am wearing is 1980’s vintage, bar that blue belt. This Calvin Klein wool dress made in Italy is just divine. Easy to wear and team with anything. Watch the video for wool dress ideas for Spring.
Carbon FootPrint
Over the past few years, aware of my carbon footprint, I’ve started buying vintage clothes from charity shops. From Versace jeans to designer men’s blazers. Fashion is all about the what-goes-around-comes-around cycle of fashion.
This is a baby beige corduroy blazer for men. I bought it brand new in a charity shop. I wear it in green, white and blue. Beige on my own is not good for my moods. An increasing number of websites and apps means it’s easy to find retro pieces that feel modern today. I sell on Vestiaire to not make money. But to recoup costs for unwanted clothes that don’t fit me anymore.
Not only is shopping secondhand better for the planet and the bank balance, but it also offers more interesting one-of-a-kind pieces. I bought so many vintage fur coats for last winter.
By doing so, many of my friends decided to do so as well. We at fifty are older and colder. Vintage fur is better for the planet than faux fur.
Punto Milano Burnt Orange Dress
This 1980’s fabric is called Punto Milano. The quality is still amazing. It reminds me of Italy when my parents use to visit Australia. My mum would bring so much cool edgy clothing for me. It can only be washed by hand and it’s so super thick and so very funky.
I teamed it with gold trainers by Versace I bought seven years ago. I teamed it with vintage Versace earrings which are clip-on and from the 1980s.
My white leather bag is from the 1980s Gucci and so are the Tom Ford high heels.
These Tom Ford Gucci shoes are so cute. I got them at a vintage market in Lucca, Tuscany. Here are more tips on buying an authentic Gucci item.
Secondhand Vintage Style Tips
Choose a Trustworthy Site
Always look at the website’s reviews! If you are splurging on a Birkin bag, make sure it’s authentic. Sites such as Sign of the Times use a device (originally used to authenticate fine art) to check handbags and small leather goods. Most sellers do not offer returns on vintage items, so it’s important to read the small print and be aware of your consumer rights. Vestiaire is what I bank on most of the time.
Check The Details
Look closely at the images for any damage, stains or wear and tear. Don’t buy clothing that is past its overdue date. Plenty of vintage gems in great condition out there.
Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions about the quality of the piece things that you can’t see online like the underarms, zips and fastenings. Ask them as much as you need to know. You want to be happy with your purchase.
And if you’re buying a designer item, ask to see pictures of the labels. Lot’s of fakes that look good out there.
Size Matters
Don’t be put off by the size label. Be sure to check the sizing, we were all much thinner 25 years ago. A size 40 now in vintage is like a size 38. The garment’s measurements sizing of vintage pieces can be quite small. No, your current size and use a tape measure. Don’t worry about sizing up, it’s a given when buying vintage clothes. In some cases, I go up three sizes, who cares as long as it fits.
Buy For Style
When buying secondhand, my advice is to figure out exactly what you’re looking for, then have a virtual rummage around online to check comparable prices. It sounds obvious but if you’re splurging on a designer item, make sure you’re buying from a reputable website.
I am old school so I go to vintage stores and markets. I do like to try before I buy, so I stick to secondhand accessories online, where size doesn’t matter.
In terms of clothing, I’d recommend focusing on classic pieces, such as trench coats, blazers, jeans, in superior fabrics.
“Another great advantage of buying secondhand is that you can afford better quality – even high-end designer items become accessible,” adds Menage. “This, in turn, means the clothes last longer and keep their value.”
It’s why my teenage daughters share my wardrobe. The milage is second to none on both their future and my bank account.
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