Tips for Shopping Vintage & Second Hand
It took me a while to get into vintage and second hand shopping, but now I am obsessed! I think it took me so long to get into it because I didn't experience much success at first. But just like anything, it takes practice to get good. That makes it all the more fun and rewarding, for me at least. I feel so much satisfaction when I find an amazing vintage piece that I’ve been searching for, or an amazing second hand deal. I wrote about why I shop second hand in a previous post so today I want to share some tips for successful vintage and second hand shopping.
Know your measurements
Sizing with brands is all over the place, that is why its important to know your measurements. It is also important to check the measurements on the listing, and if the listing doesn’t have them then you can ask if you’re using a platform like Poshmark. This is key because returns are not always possible, and if they are, they often are not free, this isn’t amazon after all (a good thing). For example, in European designers I am usually a medium or large, which is 42 or 44 in Italian sizing, and 38 in French sizing. In some brands I can be anywhere from an xs to large. For example, with Jean Paul Gaultier mesh tops I can fit into an xs, small, and medium. I actually bought one JPG mesh top on Poshmark in a size medium that was a little too big. I love that The Real Real pretty much always provides measurements and fabric content in their listings. I know that if a fabric has some stretch (elastane, spandex, etc.) that I can potentially go a size down. I have also noticed that things can be sized as a medium, but then I look at the measurements, and the waist is like 23 inches, so I know that it won’t fit. That is why I don’t buy on sizing alone.
Know your brands
It is super helpful to develop “go-to” brands over time. You can build familiarity with sizing, fit, fabrics, and quality, which helps you make better shopping decisions. For example, I know that I am a size 42 in Moschino, and 38 in most french brands (but I still always check the measurements). Some of my go-to brands to shop second hand are Roberto Cavalli, Etro, Pucci, Versace, Dior, Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino, Missoni, Prada, and Miu Miu. I know that I like how these brands fit me, and I like the quality. I do keep an open mind, but having go-to brands helps narrow down the search, and helps to keep me more intentional. When you know the brands you love and what you are looking for it prevents you from making impulse purchases. You will develop a better sense of what is good pricing, what is worth buying, and when to pull the trigger on an item.
Be as specific as possible
This ties into the last point, if you have a few brands that you know you love, you can be more specific in your searches instead of scrolling endlessly. When you have a specific item in mind, you can type it into the search bar and scroll though hundreds of relevant items instead of thousands of random items. For example, “Beige Miu Miu Cardigan” try to be specific with the color, brand, and type of clothing. If the specific search doesn’t bring up enough items, you can broaden it, but I think it works better to start off specific. This also stands for brick and mortar stores. If you know what brands work well for you, you will l develop an eye for spotting them on a rack. This saves you time from having to go through every single item on a rack.
Know your platforms
At least at first. I use many platforms, but I mostly focus on two - Poshmark and The Real Real. Different platforms are good for different things and have different functionalities that you can learn to get good at. Poshmark is great for bargaining. Note, this doesn’t mean lowballing. I like that you can submit offers on Poshmark, and get a good deal. I got a great 90’s Mugler blazer on Poshmark for $150, which is on the lower end for vintage Mugler. The Real Real is focused on luxury, high-end brands only, and has new arrivals all of the time. Items often go on sale after they haven’t sold for some time, it is a great platform to build a wishlist on and keep track of it. You can find great stuff on Grailed as well, but I find that a lot of the sellers are from abroad. This has pros and cons. A major pro is you can find some really cool pieces. The con is shipping, it can be expensive and take a long time.
Make a Personal Wishlist
I have a personal “wishlist” where I write down the items that I want, so I can search for those things specifically across the platforms. For example “pink mini skirt”. This keeps me intentional with my shopping and prevents me from making impulse purchases. When I want to add an item to my wardrobe I search on the second hand platforms first. It is easy to get distracted when scrolling online, so I try my best to stick to what is on my list. If I find something I love that isn’t on my list, I will add it to my list and wait at least a few days before I buy it. I try to wait at least a week or even a month, to get a better idea of how to prioritize purchasing that item because it is important to stick to a budget.
Shopping vintage and second hand can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You can find super unique pieces that no one has, find great deals, and extend the lifecycle of clothing (preventing it from ending up in landfill). These tips have helped me be more successful and I hope they can help you too!
