Welcome to Handpicked, a curated edit of the best vintage and pre-loved available online, updated monthly. From hero bags to long-lost fashion treasures, these are the stellar pieces on our wish lists.
Shopping for vintage and pre-loved online can be overwhelming. Resale sites are brimming with thousands of items, all hailing from various of eras and brands, meaning it can be difficult to know where to start – especially if scrolling isn’t your favourite pastime.
Our advice? First, look at what your wardrobe is missing and embark on your search with an idea of what you want, whether it be a specific piece or designer. And be patient. It’s likely you won’t find exactly what you want the first time round, so make sure to keep looking and set notifications – nothing compares to the thrill of discovering the one after searching for several months.
While it’s good to filter by size, sometimes it pays to be open-minded, given international labelling and the size discrepancies between brands (double check the sizing chart or message the seller if you want further information). On sites like eBay, it can also be beneficial to “get into other people’s psyches”, as the platform’s pre-loved style director, Amy Bannerman, previously told Vogue, for example searching for misspelt brands or trying alternative search terms.
Here, we’ve done the legwork for you, and found a variety of vintage and pre-loved gems to inspire your next purchase, from 1stDibs, Vestiaire Collective, Rokit, eBay, Hardly Ever Worn It, and more. Yet to see something you like? Come back in a month for our next instalment.
Noteworthy picks:
- The back-to-work bag: Prada Galleria Bag, £895
- The vintage football shirt: 1999-02 Manchester City Le Coq Sportif Third Shirt, £125
- The investment LBD: Thierry Mugler Knitted Flame Dress, £1,800
- The vintage earrings: Puig Doria Floral Earrings, £249
- The worn-in biker boots: Vintage Biker Boots, £100
- The statement watch: Vintage Gucci Watch, £295
- The cargo skirt: Vintage Cargo Skirt, £25
The Euros might be over, but the football shirt fever continues. If you feel this is something you could champion for years to come, consider trying a vintage style (read Felicia Pennant’s guide to sourcing a vintage one, here). Elsewhere, Vaquera’s cult lingerie tee will add a tongue-in-cheek flair to your autumn wardrobe, while Louis Vuitton’s Noughties-era Eva bag is a worthy everyday companion. Layer up your look with a distressed leather biker jacket from eBay (there are plenty on there at the moment, so have a scroll).
Lean into the back-to-work mood with a pre-loved Prada Galleria – realised in a punchy red shade that’s a sprightly alternative to neutral hues – a trendy Argyle knit, a cargo skirt and a Gucci watch, which is as much a statement jewel as it is a timepiece.
Speaking of office attire, this skirt suit from Rokit will deliver top-tier autumn style, and can be given a modern edge with a pair of vintage biker boots and floral earrings by Puig Doria. For evening arrangements, why not try this knitted ’90s flame dress by Thierry Mugler, which, if you look after it well, will become an LBD to last a lifetime?
Scroll on for picks from months gone by, which you might still be able to snap up…
In the market for a bag? Look beyond new-season styles and consider a unique vintage style, like a beaded take on Fendi’s iconic Baguette, Louis Vuitton’s Speedy – rendered in monogrammed denim with postbox-red handles and strap – a sparkling, embellished pouch from eBay, or a bamboo-handled Gucci shoulder bag.
Invest in this summer’s standout skirt silhouette, the bubble, with a voluminous tie-dye style from Miuccia Prada’s autumn/winter 2004 collection, which would pair well with Jean Paul Gaultier’s colourful Noughties-era cami and a vintage cord necklace, courtesy of Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Hailing from the same era: a textured dress by Junya Watanabe, which is a showstopper for the office or evening wear.
Whether scattered across shoes, skirts or belts, it feels like eyelet adornments are everywhere at the moment, and some of the best iterations can be found in vintage stores and on resale sites (I recently bought a great eyelet-embellished belt from Greece). See: these Tipp-Ex-white leather Gucci mules, which would look just as good with a slip dress – like this silky style from Rokit – as they would with a gingham midi-skirt. Complete the look with drop earrings sourced by vintage jewellery specialist, Susan Caplan.
Throw-on dresses are a summer essential. For a day-to-night option, consider this blue crochet beaded dress from Rokit, or an asymmetric slip from Etsy. As for accessories, I’ve got my eye on these feather-trim, Tom Ford-era Gucci flip-flop heels and a Stephen Sprouse X Louis Vuitton shoulder bag.
Up your print game with a vintage mesh top by Jean Paul Gaultier, which features a two-tone pattern, a precious top and skirt set from Issey Miyake – emblazoned with an array of bright hues – or a simple floral skirt from Rokit. Top off any outfit with some statement vintage heart earrings from Saint Laurent.
Embrace the trending sporty mood with a vintage windbreaker and silky Adidas shorts, both of which are equal parts practical and stylish. Or if boho is more your fashion spirit, try an amber beaded necklace and slouchy Prada bag. Pick your fighter.
Trends come and go, but enduring pieces will stay in your wardrobe forever. If you can see yourself wearing a barn jacket – like this vintage style from eBay – or a ruffled boho skirt beyond a single season, now is your time to try. This ’90s-era floral slip from Rokit is another timeless staple, and the same can be said for this shoulder bag from Bottega Veneta, crafted using the house’s signature intrecciato weave technique.
The enthusiasm for naked dresses is showing no signs of waning, which is a good reason to try the trend with this whimsical LBD from Prada. Wear over a pair of jeans with this leather Gucci blazer, Bode X Nike’s now sold-out sneakers (there are plenty available on eBay) and Balenciaga’s iconic Le City tote in hand for the daytime, and with a slip underneath and heels for evening.
This Noughties-era, intricately-beaded shoulder bag from Prada is, quite literally, the definition of arm candy. In the same expressive vein are a vintage rainbow maxi by Jean Paul Gaultier, a retro-hued windbreaker from Adidas and a fitted checked dress hailing from the ’90s.
Dries Van Noten announced his departure from the brand he cultivated over nearly three decades, meaning now is your time to invest in one of his show-stopping printed pieces, like this embellished shirt. Style with this playful, pleated Comme des Garçons skirt and a Gucci Bamboo bag from eBay – or Miu Miu’s sporty Bubble trainers, if you fancy a clash.
LBDs form the backbone of many-a woman’s wardrobe, and few have crafted them like Azzedine Alaïa. Consider this stretch-lace floral mini from autumn/winter 1990: a slice of fashion history. Ditto this timeless (sorry) Cartier Tank watch, a silk jacket by Issey Miyake and a pair of Saint Laurent platforms.
The subtle tulle under-layer on this denim Junya Watanabe midi-skirt brings an unexpected twist to an otherwise basic staple. Pair it with a patterned sweater from Jean Paul Gaultier and knee-high, Noughties-era boots, courtesy of Nordic Poetry. The finishing touch? A paillette-embellished tote from Miu Miu.
Our answer to the “pop of red” styling trick that’s been trending for several seasons? A pair of patent, backless loafers from Rokit, which will bring a flash of colour to your everyday wardrobe. Or why not try this tartan waistcoat from Comme des Garçons, which comes with a chain-strap detail at the back – wear it with a shirt for the office, then with nothing underneath for evening. We also love this versatile, diamond-print skirt from Pleats Pleats by Issey Miyake. Prefer blue? Try Martine Rose’s electric track jacket instead.
