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 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 would like to add to your colletion, 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 (we recommend you 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” by searching for misspelt brands or trying alternative search terms, as the platform’s pre-loved style director, Amy Bannerman, previously told Vogue, .
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 coveted top: Balenciaga Floral Top, £152
- The vintage watch: Gucci Watch,
£405£303 - The shoulder bag: Louis Vuitton Croissant Bag, £1,250
- The spring dress: Jean Paul Gaultier Draped Dress,
£225£156 - The transeasonal jacket: Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons Jacket, £322
- The shield sunglasses: Céline Oversized Sunglasses, £326
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, who was creative director at the house from 1997 to 2012, is doing the rounds on resale sites – and in the spirit of spring, I’ve got my eye on a floral top. As for layers: though the weather is steadily getting warmer, it’s not quite hot enough to leave the house without a jacket, so consider this cropped grey wool style the perfect cover-up. On the accessories front, see: these Céline crystal drop earrings and a pre-loved Gucci watch.
Another jewellery box addition I’ve got my eye on? A shapely silver bangle, which would pair well with this draped postbox-red minidress by Jean Paul Gaultier. And for investment-worthy finishing touches, take note of this beaded Fendi Baguette bag – a timeless silhouette that ceases to age – and the Louis Vuitton Croissant bag, which I was lucky enough to borrow from the eBay archive during London Fashion Week.
As I mentioned above, a versatile spring jacket is a smart investment – this Junya Watanabe X Comme des Garçons checked style is equal parts warm and stylish. And when the weather is slightly milder, you can turn to knitwear – like this Argyle cardigan – as a final layer for any look. Also on my wish list for this season: vintage leather cowboy boots and Céline shield sunglasses.
Scroll on for picks from months gone by, which you might still be able to snap up…
Flannel shirts and boxing trainers are other standout trends that have done the rounds on social media of late. Ditto preppy pleated skirts (scroll on for some noteworthy examples that’ll be a timeless addition to your wardrobe). And with rumours swirling of Loewe’s new creative director hire, consider investing in one of Jonathan Anderson’s greatest feats: the Loewe Puzzle bag, in a fiery red hue.
Rather than bundling myself up in knitwear and Heattech, I’ve found that track jackets can be a surprisingly smart layering tool. Ones with windproof qualities will fend off the chill when zipped up, and in the summer, they’re perfect as something lightweight to throw over a dress. Another investment that will see me through the seasons? A vintage suede miniskirt, which I’ll be wearing with tights and oversized outerwear until the weather warms up, and hiking boots, which will serve for icy days and festivals alike. As for accessories, I’ve got my eye on this pocketed Prada Tessuto bag.
Pea coats are one of the key coat styles of the moment.– this version from Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons, complete with a studded collar, is a more directional take on the timeless trend. See also: these low-waisted suit trousers, suitable for work and play, an Issey Miyake blouse and silver modernist ring.
I own many pairs of trousers, but recently I’ve found myself returning to the vintage shell pants I bought last year. Like tracksuit bottoms, they’re really comfortable, and while they err on the more casual side, I’ve styled them with a “nice top” and jewellery for dinners, parties and work events. This velvet jacket from Rokit, a vintage Stussy tee and vintage Christian Dior earrings – sourced by specialist Susan Caplan – would complement them well.
