Vintage clothes have a special kind of pull. They tell a story. They’re sustainable. They offer a sense of connection with the past in a world obsessed with the new. For these reasons and others, people have been wearing ‘vintage’ clothing for longer than you might think.
In the 1950s, after WWII, there was nostalgia for the 1920s and 30s, with some women wearing vintage gowns for special occasions. The 60s and 70s saw rising interest in vintage clothes. The counterculture movement embraced clothing from the 20s to 40s as a form of rebellion. In the 80s and 90s, vintage became more mainstream. Many people wore clothing from the 50s, 60s and 70s, partly inspired by TV and films depicting those eras. Back to the Future (1985) depicted the 50s, for instance.
In the 21st century, vintage fashion has remained popular. Today, anything from a 1920s antique flapper dress to a leather jacket from 2001 might be considered ‘vintage’. It’s all about finding and flaunting your own unique style. That might mean staying true to a retro aesthetic you love, or maybe you’ll creatively combine items from different decades? How you interpret and style ‘vintage’ is entirely up to you.
In this article, you’ll discover four of the best vintage clothing websites for putting more personality into your wardrobe.
1. Brick Vintage
Brick Vintage offers a diverse selection of genuine vintage clothing for both men and women, with a focus on items from the 50s to the 80s. Vintage enthusiasts will appreciate the genuine and unique pieces available, which include everything from classic Levi’s jeans and patterned shirts to elegant dresses, men’s suits, and stylish accessories.
- Price range: You’ll find vintage tops and tees from as little as £14. At the other end of the spectrum, you can splash out on items like a very fancy Yves Saint Laurent Fourrures coat from the 1980s for £350.
- Shipping and returns: Brick Vintage offers free shipping on UK orders over £100. Returns are only accepted within 14 days of purchase, and customers must pay the postage cost.
2. Domno Vintage
Domno Vintage offers a curated selection of one-of-a-kind pieces, catering mostly to men. Pieces include sweatshirts, tees, jewellery and more. As well as browsing by item type, you can also shop by style. The four styles highlighted are ‘streetwear’, ‘softboy’, ‘Y2K’, and ‘skater’. Most items originate from the 80s and 90s, with pieces from brands like Nike, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, North Face, Carhartt, and Stussy.
- Price range: Items like baseball caps and shirts sell for as little as £13. If you’re working with a bigger budget, you can also find items like an Adidas USA Olympic Winter Games Sweatshirt from 1980 (£324).
- Shipping and returns: Orders over £50 qualify for free shipping. Customers are responsible for postage fees when returning items.
3. Beyond Retro
Beyond Retro offers a vast selection of unique clothing and accessories primarily from the 60s through to the 90s. Expect everything from retro sportswear and denim to statement dresses and quirky accessories. There are generally more women’s items than men’s. But with thousands of items in-stock on any given day, there’s plenty of choice for everyone.
- Price range: You can pick up t-shirts, blouses, and belts in their sale for as low as £3. For rarer statement pieces (jackets, dresses etc.), expect to pay up to £350.
- Shipping and returns: Beyond Retro offers free shipping on orders over £75. Returns must be sent within 14 days, at the customer’s cost (or you can return in-store in London, Brighton or Bristol for free).
4. House of Vintage
House of Vintage offers authentic American vintage with a contemporary style. Most items come from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The store specialises in vintage denim and workwear. Classic wardrobe staples are available alongside rare, collectible pieces. The focus on hard-to-find items means this isn’t always the best site for bargain-hunters. But it’s a goldmine for vintage fashion connoisseurs. You can expect friendly customer service in their two East London boutiques and online.
- Price range: The average price of items at House of Vintage is generally just under £100. At the lower end, you can pick up vintage socks for around £12. At the higher end, you’ll find items like an early 90s YSL Rives Gauche Safari Dress (£475).
- Shipping and returns: They offer free shipping on UK orders over £60 but don’t list their returns policy online.
Can’t find what you’re looking for on any of the sites above? Here are three bonus options to explore…
Vintage Folk
- Sustainable vintage shop founded in Manchester in 2017
- Specialises in 80s-00s curated collections from iconic brands
- Promotes zero-waste culture through fashion
My Vintage
- Established vintage retailer since 2004
- Offers hand-picked items from 1940s-1990s
- Known for exceptional customer service and quality
Bobby and Dandy
- Curates stylish vintage pieces
- Mixes classic and contemporary vintage styles
- Focuses on quality and unique accessories
SPOTTING FAKE ITEMS
The vintage clothing market is increasingly flooded with counterfeit items. This makes it hard to distinguish genuine vintage pieces from fakes. Here are some tips to make sure you only buy authentic vintage clothes:
1. Check the labels
The brand label is one of the most telling signs of authenticity. Ensure the brand name is spelled correctly. Items made before 1971 typically do not have care labels, as they were introduced that year. If a garment claims to be older but has a care label, it could be a red flag.
2. Examine the construction
Authentic vintage clothing often exhibits high-quality craftsmanship. Look for consistent, tight stitching. Vintage garments often have more intricate stitching patterns. Metal zippers were common before the 1960s, while plastic zippers became more prevalent afterward. Similarly, buttons should match the era's typical materials.
3. Assess the fabric and condition
Authentic vintage pieces usually show some signs of age, such as fading or minor imperfections. A piece that looks brand new may be a reproduction.
4. Research the brand and seller
Before purchasing, check reviews and ratings of the seller on platforms like Trustpilot. Established vintage retailers are more likely to sell authentic items. Familiarise yourself with the clothing brand's history and typical characteristics of their vintage items. This knowledge can help you spot inconsistencies.
5. Be wary of “too good to be true” pricing
If a vintage item is priced significantly lower than similar items, it may be a fake. Genuine vintage pieces often reflect their rarity and quality in their pricing.
6. Ask for detailed photos
If the listing lacks detailed photos, ask the seller for more images, particularly of the label, stitching, and any unique features.
KEEPING YOUR PAYMENTS SECURE
Identity fraud is on the rise in the UK.
Experian reported a 22% rise in identity fraud in 2023 compared to 2022. In this climate, it’s always wise to keep your personal information as secure as possible. One great tactic here is using a prepaid payment card like
Transcash. You can top up the card here at Mobiletopup.co.uk, and use it to pay at most online retailers. It’s valid anywhere that accepts Mastercard.
Unlike a traditional credit or debit card, paying this way means you don’t need to share any personal financial information. It’s also a great tool for controlling your spending. For example, you can decide how much you’re comfortable spending on clothing each month, then load this amount onto your prepaid card. Once it’s all spent, you know you’ve hit your clothing budget for the month. This makes avoiding impulse purchases so much easier.
In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the best places for buying vintage clothing online in the UK. But you’ll soon realise how deep this rabbit hole goes. There are many other places to find vintage fashion, both online and on the high street. On specialist sites, at thrift stores, and in flea markets. You can sometimes find vintage gems on less specialist sites like Vinted and Preloved too. But for the discerning vintage fashion shopper, there are plenty of better options.
Wherever you decide to shop, remember to stay alert for fakes and pay attention to returns policies. And don’t forget to set a budget and keep your payments secure.
Happy hunting!
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