Text and cover image by Agnete Bay Blichfeldt.
The thrill of making a vintage find is unmatched. Why settle for a cute top from H&M when you could score a better deal on a Vivienne Westwood piece? Imagine getting a pair of leopard-patterned Fendi trousers for just €30 or fabulous Dolce & Gabbana wedges for €17 to wear this summer!
Mastering the Art of Online Vintage Hunting: Shop Luxury Vintage Online
Online platforms provide an unlimited thrift shop experience with an endless potential for hidden gems. If you think the vintage finds mentioned above sound too good to be true, my wardrobe proves otherwise. However, as is the case with any thrift shop—be it physical or virtual—truly quality items are the exception rather than the rule. It can be daunting to sift through the overwhelming amount of random worn-out items that sellers are trying to offload online.
This 5-step guide serves as your treasure map to discovering luxury vintage gems hiding online, helping you navigate the world of high-end vintage investments and exceptional deals on resold luxury items.
1: Select the Best Resale Apps For Luxury Finds
In recent years, many new resale apps have popped up, each targeting a specific segment of the resale and repurposing market. Some, like Vestiaire Collective, specialise in luxury items and offer services that verify and quality-check your pieces. Others focus on environmentally friendly exchanges within your local community, such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or Swopped, where you can swap items you wish to declutter from your closet.
If you’re looking to really dig up the best deals across a wide range of fashion pieces and brands, platforms like Depop and Vinted are your best bet. These apps are available in many countries and facilitate cross-border sales. While the large user base does create competition over the best items, many users on these platforms are simply looking to clean out their closets or have lost appreciation for their items, making them some of your most valuable sellers!
2: Make Your Go-to Brands a Priority
If you want to make the best deals, you have to think like a fortune teller and be strategic about the brands you choose. Instead of going for “the brand of the moment,” aim for the brand that will be popular next season. Just as you would never invest in a stock that is already peeking, you should seek out vintage items from brands that are just about to rise in popularity. Some sellers may have lost track of a brand’s potential and just want to clear out closet space, and these are the opportunities you hope to find!
Pro tip: Target Emerging Brands and Hidden Gems
For instance, consider Diesel. If you had purchased Y2K Diesel items online 2-3 years ago, standard prices ranged from €5 to €20. However, with Diesel’s recent rebranding and the resurgence of Y2K nostalgia, resale prices have skyrocketed.
Another aspect to consider is the status of the brands you are looking at. Brands with a long-standing history often have more items that have fallen out of style. If you’re hoping to find a bargain, it’s strategic to focus on brands that are in a sweet spot between legacy and no longer current. You might be surprised at how many people are selling their Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, etc, for less than you’d pay for a clothing item at H&M.
Additionally, exploring the history of semi-niche Italian or French luxury brands can also yield great finds, as some sellers might not even be aware of the true value of what they are offering.
3: Share the Hearts – and Let the App Know Your Aesthetic
This is where the fun truly begins! Start by liking items that match your style and budget. As your app gathers information about your preferences, it will personalise your feed, filling it with items that you’re likely to find interesting. Additionally, it will introduce more brands that align with the aesthetic and high-end appeal of your previous likes. The more specific your preferences are, the better your feed will become.
4: Keep Track of Your Must-Haves – Timing is Everything
As mentioned earlier, a resale app can be a competitive place, and there is always an element of time pressure surrounding deals that seem too good to miss. For example, a genuine Y2K Chanel purse for just € 10 may appear, but it won’t last long! It’s essential to check your recommended page as well as your “investment brands” daily. On both Vinted and Depop, you can view your search history to see how many new items that fit your criteria have been uploaded.
5: Don’t Judge By Photos, Look Beyond the Flaws
When dealing with non-professional sellers, you may come across pictures that don’t do justice to the items. Don’t let this discourage you. A blurry photo, poor lighting, or a slightly wrinkled shirt are all just incidental factors. Look behind the photo quality and recognise the potential of the item.
Sometimes, there are very few pictures available, while other times, there might be an overwhelming number. This can be confusing, but keep in mind that sketchy sellers with very generic photos are often the less trustworthy ones. Remember, as long as you follow the rules of the platform, you can shop your vintage treasures without any worries! Shop Luxury Vintage Online isn’t anymore a mistery!
