You can make a living selling vintage online. What if you could shop for a living? No, we’re not talking mystery shopping, or even working as a personal stylist. This job entails shopping at thrift stores, garage sales, and even other people’s closets.
Vintage has long been back in style, especially because every piece is so unique. If you find a piece of vintage clothing from the ‘50s, ‘60s, or ‘70s, there’s a good chance you’ve found the last one on Earth. And if you learn how to find those one-of-a-kind, highly sought-after vintage pieces in the wild, you can resell them online to make a profit.
Sound easy? That’s not entirely the case.
In this article, you will learn the following
- Selling Vintage Clothing on Esty
- How Do I Make my Vintage Store Successful?
- How to Start a Vintage Business
- How Can You Make Money From Vintage Clothing?
- What Item Sells Best On eBay?
- 10 Ways You Can Actually Make Money from Selling Vintage
- What Vintage Items Sells Best?
- Where Do Vintage Stores Get Their Merchandise?
- How to Open a Vintage Furniture Shop?
- Selling Vintage Clothing on Instagram
- Can You Make Money Selling Vintage Online?
- Is Selling Vintage Clothing Profitable?
- How Can I Sell Vintage Items Online?
- How do I Start an Online Vintage Store?
- Vintage Buy And Sell Website
- Where to Find Vintage Clothing to Resell
- Sell Vintage Clothing in Bulk
- Buyers of Vintage Clothing
- Vintage Clothing Business Plan
- Selling Vintage Clothing on eBay
- Where to Sell Vintage Clothing UK
- Sell Vintage Clothing App
- What Vintage Clothes Sell Best?
- How do You Price Vintage Clothing?
- What is The Best Way to Sell Collectibles Online
- Best Online Vintage Clothing
- Online Vintage Thrift Store
- Best Online Vintage Furniture Stores
- Vintage Inspired Clothing Brands
- Vintage Clothing Online Canada
- Online Stores For Vintage Clothing
Selling Vintage Clothing on Esty
Selling vintage clothing on Etsy isn’t a way to make a quick buck. But when you have a passion for paying homage to the fashion of decades past, the work doesn’t (always) feel like a job.
That’s exactly the case for Lora Conrad, the owner of Hungry Heart Vintage. Over the past few years, she’s built her Etsy shop into a profitable business. Conrad sells about 20-30 pieces a month through her shop, as well as a few more through private purchases.
Read Also: Using Skills In 3D Animation To Make Money As A Digital Graphics Artist
She gave us some insight into how she got started, how she finds and prices her pieces, and how she’s built her Etsy business into a job she loves going to every single day.
Scrounge High and Low
When asked how she finds her pieces, Conrad says, “Lots and lots of scrounging!” Estate sales, flea markets, garage sales, antique malls in the middle of nowhere, you name it. Conrad is always on the hunt for new pieces she can breathe new life into and sell.
One surprising way she acquires new pieces is through private appointments. “People don’t realize that, much of the time, I get my inventory because someone has just passed away,” she said.
“Private buying appointments are by far my favorite ways of acquiring vintage,” she said. “I love taking the time to sit down with people as we go through their old clothes, or more often, their late loved one’s clothes. I get to learn all about the women who wore them, and when I leave I feel like I’m leaving with more than just dresses. I’m leaving their homes with bits of their family history that will live on through others.”
When she first started selling vintage, Conrad didn’t anticipate this would be part of her job. “But it makes me happy when I can help people through that time, even in such a miniscule way,” she said.
Embrace Seasonality
Swimsuit season arrived a couple of months ago — including in Conrad’s shop. She constantly keeps her shop fresh and lists what’s in season.
That means swimsuits and party dresses in the summer, cardigans, and scarves in the fall. If she finds a stellar vintage coat on a summer thrifting adventure, she won’t post it until cooler weather arrives. It’s not just that she can get more money when an item is in season. It also keeps her selling costs as low as possible.
Etsy charges $0.20 for each listing. If it doesn’t sell within four months, it costs another $0.20 to relist the item. By posting in-season pieces that will likely sell within four months, Conrad only needs to pay the listing fee once.
She also runs promotions, especially during holidays like Black Friday.
Running a 20% off promotion during the already high-shopping holiday season brings more customers to her shop and moves more products off her virtual shelves. While this entails much more work — more shipping, more back and forth with customers and more time to keep her store stocked — Conrad finds the extra revenue she makes during this time provides a nice buffer for the post-holiday shopping slump.
Build Your Brand
Conrad doesn’t spend all her time on her Etsy shop. She’s also active on Facebook and has 1,700 Instagram followers, where she shares not only new listings, but also sneak peeks of what’s coming soon and behind-the-scenes photos of her workday and “shop assistants” (a dog and two cats.) This puts a face on Hungry Heart Vintage, so her customers can get to know the woman behind the shop.
Though it’s more difficult to track the value of the time she spends building the Hungry Heart brand, Conrad does occasionally make sales through Instagram.
Conrad also blogs about how to blend vintage and modern style. She’s kind of like a vintage clothing advisor. “Vintage clothing isn’t just for vintage enthusiasts, and just because something is old doesn’t mean it has to be styled that way,” Conrad said in a recent blog post.
Dedicate Yourself to the Details
Glowing reviews attract more people to your shop. And on the other side of the coin, a bad review can turn someone away. The best way to acquire those happy customers, then entice them to leave you a five-star review? Go above and beyond their expectations.
To begin with, Conrad spends a great deal of time preparing clothes for sale. Cleaning and repairing is time-consuming. “Some pieces need to be soaked and hand washed several times to get the decades of dirt out,” she said.
Then Conrad gets extremely detailed in how she describes each item. She includes measurements as well as information about fit, material, brand and condition. She always lets customers know about any imperfections and provides a range of photos for each item.
After the sale, Conrad artfully packages her orders and writes notes to thank her customers.
“Packing takes quite a bit of time, but that’s on me,” Conrad said. “I love packing up orders and making them look pretty, so I’m happy to spend a lot of time on that.”
With review after review from her customers thanking her for a pleasant shopping experience, Conrad has built the trust that will bring new customers to her shop.
Develop a Pricing Formula
One of the trickiest parts of selling vintage clothes is pricing. Some pieces are rarer than others, so are worth more. Some pieces Conrad finds for cheap, others she has to pay more for upfront. Many require a great deal of time and money (dry cleaning, new zippers or buttons) to bring up to selling condition.
So how much does she make on the stuff she resells?
“It’s hard to say from piece to piece,” Conrad said. “Sometimes you find a treasure on its way to someone’s dumpster or in your neighborhood thrift. Other times, between the cost of purchasing the items, plus the cost of cleaning supplies or having it professionally cleaned, repairs, the mark up is fairly slim.”
Since so much wildly varies in how much she pays and invests in each piece, Conrad doesn’t aim for a certain margin every time. And she doesn’t even bother with trying to factor in her own labor hours. “The only formula I use to mark up items is, L=0. That’s ‘Lora pays herself no money per hour for her labor.’ “
Just like other successful Etsy sellers, Conrad does not deny how much work she puts into finding, preparing and selling her pieces. “I’ve never tracked the hours it takes to see a piece through from start to finish, but I know I’m done when my lower back hurts.”
When she first started selling vintage, Conrad didn’t anticipate this would be part of her job. “But it makes me happy when I can help people through that time, even in such a minuscule way,” she said.
How Do I Make my Vintage Store Successful?
Vintage clothing has always been a popular collecting field but in recent years it has grown exponentially. In 2013 a hoard of vintage clothing was discovered when clearing an elderly women’s estate worth £100,000. One designer dress was even found up the chimney in the woman’s house.
You never know those clips on earrings your mother bought in 1952 or that dress you wore in 69 may have now doubled or even tripled in price. So how do you make sure you get the most out of your vintage clothes when selling? Below our fashion maven Charlotte outlines seven of the easiest ways to get more bangs for your buck when selling fashion online.
1. Show your clothing on a mannequin or model
This allows potential customers to get a better idea of how the piece would lay on their own figure. Also, make sure to get a front and back image.
2. Include the measurements
If clothing included the sizes printed in the dress and the year if possible as sizes have changed over the years, for instance, a US 4 UK 6 in 1960 would not be a size 4 in the present day. Sizes also vary between designers so it’s important to include that as well, even if the designer is not well known.
If you are putting it on a model you can also include the dimensions by measuring the fit your- self. If you are selling accessories such as a purse, belt or ring you should also include the dimensions where possible. For a purse include the strap length and dimensions, for a ring you would need the ring size.
3. Take up-close picture of any unique aspects of your items
Are the buttons to the dress intricate? Does your necklace have unique charms on it? Or does the skirt have a unique pattern or texture? You should take a closer-up image to show potential buyers.
4. Group items together
If you have some fairly low-value items you could group them together and sell them on eBay as a bundle making it more desirable to a broader base. For instance vintage bangles, vintage rings and a grouping of clip-on 1950s earrings. This group would then catch the eye of individuals looking for clip-on earrings, rings and bracelets.
5. Note the time of year you are selling the item
During the summer, it is best to avoid the obvious winter items such as furs, gloves, and hats. Vice versa for the winter, bathing costumes, sundress and sunhats.
6. Include them in a theme sale
Theme sales helps to make sure the buyers that are regularly drawn to your piece get the notification. Serious buyers have set up varying alerts for these types of sales and know where to buy.
7. Make your listing stand out
You make your items seem personal by saying things such as “this is the dress I wore when I met my husband- I hope it can bring such luck to someone else” or “ Every time I wear this I get noticed and so will you”.
How to Start a Vintage Business
Quite a few years ago now I started my own business selling vintage clothes. It was one of those ideas that you suddenly get and have to act on straight away. Within a day of having the idea, I was signing up for an online shop and running around charity shops looking for vintage bargains. It all seemed so straightforward and easy, little did I know what hard work it would actually turn out to be.
I don’t sell vintage clothing so much now. Mainly because I have two children now and less time. Also because I was sick of storing hundreds of vintage clothes in the house. When I started buying vintage it was far cheaper and easier to get your hands on.
With the massive rise in vintage’s popularity in recent years the prices on sites like Ebay have trebled. With Etsy becoming more and more popular in the UK it is easier for more people to sell vintage as well.
I know a lot of people start vintage businesses and give up very quickly.
There are loads of reasons for this, but here are my top tips for starting a vintage business…
1. Don’t do it unless you really are passionate and knowledgeable about vintage. You need to know exactly what to look out for when buying and you need to accurately date and describe everything.
2. Make a large investment. Although the temptation to start out with cheaper newer pieces is there, I wouldn’t recommend it. There are thousands of sites selling 80s and 90s ‘vintage’. Why not take your time and save a little. Buy a few incredible pieces at auction that will make your business stand out a mile. It’s better to have 10 amazing pieces on your site than 50 mediocre ones.
3. Invest in a beautiful logo. The first thing anyone will see when viewing your brand for the first time is your logo. It’s worth getting a professional to help you out here. Once you have your logo use it on EVERYTHING.
4. Build a strong brand. Make your company stand out by creating a brand. Your logo will help with this. This is another place to spend money. Your name should be on everything – flyers, tags, bags, packaging, business cards, hangers – anywhere where people will see your products it is essential that they come away with a sense of your brand and hopefully your web address. If you are at a vintage event there could be 100 stalls selling vintage, you want yours to be the name they remember.
5. Use PR. The best way to get yourself noticed is to get as much press as possible. I was so lucky when I started my business that I had a friend who knew how to write amazing press releases. I spent hours and hours sending them out to magazines, websites and bloggers and got some amazing coverage.
6. Advertise. Advertising can be very expensive, but it’s well worth every penny. Choose to advertise on and offline in places where they are likely to be spotted by your target customer.
7. Use social media and newsletters – have a newsletter sign up on your site as well as details of all your social media. Let your customers and fans know when you have new stock.
8. Take amazing photos. Another place to spend the money is on having amazing photos of your stock. I’d recommend taking your product photos on a tailors dummy with a plain background. Keep it simple and let the clothes speak for themselves.
For your homepage and social media have a professional photoshoot done, with a professional photographer, make-up artist and hairstylist working with professional models. Again this is a chance for your brand to stand out, and it’s great to have a stock of images to use on promotional materials.
9. Don’t just sell online. There are so many sites out there that the best way to make money selling vintage is offline. Be prepared to give up your weekend and sign up for every vintage fair, market and vintage event in your area. Stalls can be a little pricey. When I sold at vintage fairs I teamed up with a friend who sold vintage jewelry and we shared a stall. It’s also worth looking into local pop-up shops.
10. Don’t expect overnight success, it takes a while to get your name out there. You can build hype for your launch by sending out press releases, working hard to build a social media following and even holding a launch party. Be prepared to put many hours into promoting your new business.
11. Start small. If you’re not ready to launch a full site and everything that goes with it, why not start by selling on Ebay, Etsy or Asos Marketplace. It’s a lot less complicated and it’s a great way of getting experience of what sells and for how much.
12. Keep records. Be organized and carefully catalog every penny that goes in and out of your business, it makes filing tax returns so much easier. If you feel daunted it might be worth seeking help from an accountant.
13. Don’t buy every piece of vintage you see. It can be very easy to buy every vintage bargain you see, however remember to be selective and only invest in the right pieces.
14. Have somewhere to keep your stock. Vintage clothes need to be stored properly, so make sure you actually have room to store it all. The last thing you need is your business taking over your house.
How Can You Make Money From Vintage Clothing?
If you’ve got your heart set on auctioning your goods off, try SpecialistAuctions, which has a specific section dedicated to vintage wear.
You can also check out local auction houses, to see if they have any vintage clothing auctions running in the near future. If they don’t have an auction specifically for vintage clothing, however, it probably isn’t worth bothering with.
You can reach thousands amongst your target market by displaying your goods on a specialist website. Whereas, a real-life auction without your specific audience will attract a couple of bidders at the most.
If you’ve picked up anything particularly classy on your travels, send an email to dawn@candysays.co.uk, (from the website CandySays), describing your items. Include some pictures if possible, and she’ll let you know whether or not she wants it for her online store and for what price.
Of course, to get an idea of value for your items, you could haul them along to your local vintage store and just ask them for advice.
You never know, they might even offer you a nice wad of cash for what you’ve got.
Making a full-time living by buying and selling vintage clothing and shoes isn’t something you should think about unless you’re an expert in the field.
At best, you can expect to earn a few quid by buying an item for a couple of pounds and selling it on for a double-figure.
The big money will be made by buying designer wear and big names as an investment. Labels like Chanel, Givenchy and Dior, for example, will only increase in value as time goes by – providing the articles are in good condition.
Where is The Best Place To Sell Vintage Clothing Online?
A number of other online marketplaces are offering easy-to-use selling platforms positioned at the vintage clothing sector.
• Artfire
• A Sense of Fashion
• Ruby Lane
• Ruby Plaza
• eCrater
• Bonanza
• Market Publique
• Defunkd
eBay and Etsy are more expensive, but that’s because they have far more traffic and established vintage clothing scenes. At this point using the other services would be like opening a retail store on a rural side street as opposed to a busy vintage clothing mall downtown.
These newer services also haven’t gone through the buying and selling growing pains as the two big players.
Unless you’re well versed in driving your own targeted traffic I would suggest starting with eBay or Etsy. If you want to move the clothing quickly go with eBay because their auction feature. If you don’t mind being patient, want to maintain a store and see potential in vintage clothing as a continued business, start with Etsy.
What Item Sells Best On eBay?
Selling on eBay isn’t about luck, especially if you don’t want to be a one-and-done auctioneer. If you have any plans for consistency or moderate to serious money-making, selling on eBay is all about knowing what sells the best.
Logic, in this case, turns out to be the correct place to begin. As you would imagine, there are things that always sell well on eBay, and then there are things that get “hot,” that sell like hotcakes for a couple of months and then never appear again.
I’ll break my list of “What Sells the Best on eBay” into these two categories: “classics” and “hotcakes.” Once you know what sells, check out this five-star course to learn how to make money online without spending money up front.
Classics
Classics are wonderful because you can rely on them. They also aren’t going anywhere (being classics) so the one drawback is that they don’t sell as quickly as out “hot cakes” items. But that’s OK. Think about classics as a seller’s bread and butter.
Clothing and Clothing Accessories
Clothing has always sold well online, but the accessories are the stars of this show. Fine jewelry is practically a guarantee; it doesn’t have to be gold or platinum, either; in fact, better if it’s not. Silver jewelry sells the most consistently, especially if it’s relatively unique (as in the kind of thing you would find at a small, local jeweler). Watches are always in demand, too
Women’s handbags and purses are a gold mine. You won’t be able to charge exorbitant prices, but you don’t need to. Even at half off these are going to fetch a pretty penny. Nice shoes, such as boots (hiking, cowboy, etc.) or anything designer-made, are also fine options.
Antiques
Anything vintage or antique is literally and figuratively a classic. Paintings, sculptures, collectibles, coins, perfume bottles, tobacco tins, guns, cars (it might sound crazy, but you can flip cars on eBay for fun and profit), stamps, etc. It doesn’t even have to be relevant: if it’s old and has moderate beauty and/or character, there’s a good chance it will sell well.
Sporting Equipment
From a famous pair of boxing gloves to a nice set of second-hand cleats: sports equipment almost always sells. The exception would be things that fall are old, but not vintage (football pads from the 90s, for example). It should either be old or close to new.
Stars’ Memorabilia
Actors, musicians, sports figures, comedians. If you have classic movie posters or anything with an authentic touch of fame, it will sell. The world is full of collectors who would open their pocketbooks to a handkerchief Babe Ruth wiped his forehead on. If that made you excited to sell on eBay, check out this guide to becoming a successful eBay entrepreneur.
Books
Just when you thought the book was dead, it turns out to be a best-selling item on eBay. This is probably due to the fact that it is non-fiction that sells the best. Historical books or books on obscure subjects are excellent finds.
Toys
You might be surprised to learn that a large number of the toys sold on eBay are for adults. That’s because older toys, such as collectibles (American Girl dolls, Beanie Babies, etc.), are still being collected. A fool-proof way to get someone’s attention is to sell multiple items that belong to the same collections; your own collection, for example. Legos never go out of style, so if you have some old Star Wars classics, think about making somebody’s day.
Hot Cakes
Hot Cakes have a narrow window for eBay, but they have two advantages over classics: 1) they sell faster, 2) they sell for higher profit margins.
Electronics
This one is obvious. The latest or second-latest version of the newest phone, tablet or computer has a good chance of selling almost immediately. Video games, too (this article has some great advice on how to sell video games online).
This is due to the fact that people want these items right away before they get any closer to going out of style. There are even some electronics that belong on the classics page, such as this original Apple computer that sold for almost $400,000.
DVDs / Vinyl
Movie collections with DVD and BlueRay items have been selling well for the past few years. The newer the movie, the narrower the window for getting a solid price for it. Vinyl has also been selling well recently.
Even though much of the vinyl is vintage, I included it on hotcakes because the current prices are sky high and the current culture is obsessed. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this phase die out within the next few years. Here’s some additional free advice on how to sell on eBay and the top mistakes beginners make.
Cameras
You would think with that since every phone, tablet and computer has a camera on it, that cameras would be null and void at this point. But I think it’s this very reason that is making them hot. Cell phone cameras aren’t as good as they’re made out to be, and you look idiotic taking a picture of the Grand Canyon on a cell phone (I mean, seriously?).
Americans are into vintage items, and photos captured on real film are not only stunning, but they offer a classic feel. So even old cameras are selling well. But if you have an “old” Nikon D40, those are solid items too. A quality digital camera is on pretty much everyone’s personal wish list.
While the old Polaroid cameras can be bought for about $5 at your local thrift shop, the film is incredibly rare. So if you have any old Polaroid film laying around.
Trending Items
The truth is, hot cake items are constantly changing on eBay. The ones listed here are categories that are unlikely to change, while the items within them will. You can stay on top of the hot cake items for free with eBay’s Popular Items page. It’s up to date and allows you to search in any area imaginable. Plus it’s full of free tips, such as hot keywords, specific models, etc.
Now that you know what’s classic and what’s hot, use this course’s trade secrets to learn how power sellers make millions on eBay.
10 Ways You Can Actually Make Money from Selling Vintage
Selling vintage is appealing because it doesn’t require you to create new products for your buyers directly. There’s certainly a lot of work in finding the right items to sell, but it’s a very different type of work.
But vintage comes with its own set of costs, which can bring down your bottom line. If you’re going to make money selling vintage, whether it’s clothes, accessories or something else entirely, you need a strategy.
1. Track What You’re Selling
Before you can increase your earnings, you need to know what you’re already making and what’s selling well for you. Track what you earn from each item — which means you need to know what you paid for the item, how long you’ve had it and if you had to reduce the price at any point.
You have to be religious about keeping your records up to date. The information you track is the basis of what moves you can take in the future to improve your business.
2. Specialize
It’s true in just about every type of business, but specialization is one of the easiest ways to increase your income. That’s because it’s easier to build a following if you’re offering similar items consistently. If your buyers know that you’re the person to see about vintage furniture from a particular designer or vintage clothing in a particular color, you’re going to be the first seller who comes to mind when they’re shopping for something specific.
As you’re choosing your speciality, keep in mind what’s going to make sense from a business perspective. If you notice in your records that you can easily sell certain items at a good profit, those items should be your starting point for choosing a niche. Of course, you also need to be able to get your hands on such items regularly in order to specialize.
Add in a little of your own preferences, as well. The financial aspect is important, but if you don’t enjoy the niche you’re working in, tweak it or consider your own preferences until you find something that both pays and will be pleasant to work with. At the very least, you want a specialization that you can read up on and develop expertise around without driving yourself mad.
3. Cultivate Your Sources
Especially if you have a narrow selection of items you’re looking for, you’ll find yourself going to the same suppliers over and over again. Build solid relationships with your suppliers: if a particular local shop will call you immediately when certain items come in or a a seller who you usually have to traipse out to the flea market to find will drop off your purchases at your home, you’ll be able to get a more regular supply of items to sell.
You still need to look for serendipity, as well, but make the process of sourcing vintage items as easy as possible on yourself.
4. Have a Backup Plan for Items You Can’t Sell
There will always be pieces with stains you didn’t notice or a pattern that proves impossible to sell. Putting out items that are of a lower quality than your usual supply isn’t going to help you: your customers will get the idea that you don’t always have the best quality and you’ll distract them from the items that will sell well.
Just what you plan to do with your leftovers will depend on your specialty. Repair may be an option in some cases. Some items can be remade, even though the results may not be vintage afterwards — they can still be sold, which will help your bottom line.
You may want to create a hierarchy of options on how to deal with different items. But don’t put yourself in a position where you’re indefinitely storing items you can’t sell or you’re throwing them out. Neither option will help your finances.
5. Build an Audience
Just listing items for sale online isn’t enough. You need to make sure that you have potential buyers checking in on what you’re offering on a regular basis. You need a loyal audience. Just how you can build that audience varies, but at the most basic level, you need to build a connection that goes deeper than just making a sale.
If potential buyers tune in to read your most recent post about how you choose items or your ideal vintage Halloween costume or any other personal story, you’re going to be more likely to have an ongoing relationship with your audience. Among other benefits, that means that you may be able to sell multiple items to one person.
Think about what you enjoy doing beyond just finding and listing items. You can send out email newsletters, write a blog, post photos and do so much more that it’s almost guaranteed that there’s a good way for you to build an audience based on your interests and abilities.
6. Learn to Take Amazing Photographs and Write Great Copy
If you haven’t already, invest time — and possibly some money — in ensuring that you can showcase your vintage items to their full potential. If you need to take a class to improve your photography skills or you need to hire an editor to work with your copy, do it.
The alternative is hiring someone else to take your photos or write your copy. That’s an expensive way to up your game: a good photograph may significantly increase the amount of money you can earn in a single sale, but it’s not always enough to pay for having a photographer help you.
7. Provide Fantastic Customer Service
Making sure that your customers get exactly what they’re expecting is harder when you’re selling vintage than when you have a whole stack of identical items in the back room. It’s necessary to up your customer service game.
At every step of the process of purchasing and receiving one of your vintage items, your buyers need to feel like they’re being taken care of. While such approaches can improve your customer’s overall willingness to recommend you to others, it can also reduce the number of returns or complaints from buyers that they got something that was okay, but not actually what they wanted.
8. Reach Out to Your Fellow Sellers
You don’t just need relationships with the people who buy what you’re selling. You also need to network among other sellers. It may be a secondary network — of course, I’d rather spend time with a prospective buyer than another seller — but done correctly, connections with your fellow sellers can pay off.
You can do joint sales, trade items that will sell better with another vendor, get tips on handling difficult situations and so much more. Even being able to shop together with someone looking for different items within the broad category that is vintage can mean that you can buy the bigger items that require some help to move or get feedback from the second pair of eyes before you spend your money.
9. Test Different Outlets
If you’ve got one place that you know you can sell your vintage items without too much hassle, it’s tempting to just stick with it. But unless you test out other venues, you’ll never know if you can charge higher prices or move items faster elsewhere.
Set clear goals for any new marketplace you try out: if it can’t beat the places you’re already selling in within a set amount of time, cut your losses. The same holds true with any marketing project or effort to otherwise promote your vintage stock.
10. Operate Like a Business, Not a Hobby
More than a few people get into selling vintage as an excuse to grow their personal collections — after all, it’s easy to justify buying more clothes, furniture or other items than you can possibly use if you promise to sell at least some of them soon.
If you want to earn a regular income that can continue to grow from your vintage sales, though, you need to treat what you’re doing as a business, rather than as a way to extend your own closet.
That means thinking about marketing, accounting and all the other details that go into operating a business. It also may mean letting go of some of the pieces you love, but don’t have room for. The moment you sold your first piece, you started a business. Take it to the next level.
What Vintage Items Sells Best?
Your old 80s stuff may have real value on eBay, and you might even be shocked when you see how much people will pay for what you consider your old “junk.” Following is a list of 10 1980s vintage items that have value on eBay, and you may have some of these items in your home right now.
1. Vintage Concert T-Shirts
Those concert and rock band t-shirts are worth good money on eBay.
Authentic t-shirts from bands including Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Rolling Stones, Journey, ACDC, Devo, and Metallica can sell for over $200 on eBay.
To keep things confusing yet interesting, stores like Kohls, Walmart, and Old Navy are now manufacturing “vintage inspired” t-shirts so a lot of you’ll find out there in thrift stores isn’t vintage. Do your homework by looking at the garment tag and check where the item was made to determine if it’s vintage or a modern-day copy.
2. Flip Clock Radios
Remember the clock radio with the flipping digital-style numbers in the movie Groundhog Day? Or the clock that Marty McFly used in the movie Back to the Future? Or maybe you had one that you used in elementary or high school. You can probably remember hearing the clicking sound of the numbers flipping.
Those old flip clock radios are highly collectible and make great sellers on eBay. The Panasonic brand sells for the most, sometimes as much as $300.
So if you have one of these clocks stashed away in your junk, or see one at a garage sale or thrift store, check out the value on eBay. You may have an item in your home that can pay your car payment next month!
3. Action Figures
You may have some seriously big money potential if you’ve kept your action figure collection from the 1980s. Lots of these toys sell for big cash, sometimes upwards of $1,000 depending on the item or items. Star Wars figures, Transformers, and GI Joes command the highest prices.
Even if the action figures aren’t in pristine condition, they will still sell. Collectors love their action figures! Remember the movie “The 40 Year Old Virgin” where the guy worshipped his action figure collection? That’s real. Grown men (and women) go to eBay to find more things for their collections.
If you’re holding on to your G.I. Joes or Luke Skywalker figures from the 80s and your kids have no interest; it may be time to sell them to pay for a vacation cruise!
4. Boomboxes
Ahhh, the 80s. The time when bigger was better. Big hair, big sweaters, and big radios. Boomboxes were a prominent part of the 80s culture. Also known as ghetto blasters, you’d see these not just on street corners, but by the pool, the lake, the beach, in the park, pretty much anywhere you went.
For unfamiliar readers, a boombox was a large, battery-operated AM/FM radio with big attached speakers, and it usually came with a cassette player. It was very loud, and you could often see young people walking down the street carrying one on their shoulder while it belted out 80s pop and rap music. And yes, these still sell on eBay.
Depending on the brand and features, some boomboxes can sell for over $800 on eBay.
Additionally, these can sell even if in non-working condition for parts. Gen Xers with their heart and soul stuck in the 1980s may have a hobby or passion for restoring boomboxes and need parts that are no longer made or available on the consumer market.
5. Board Games
Like action figures, board games are highly collectible. Sure, some people may play them, but their value lies in their collectible nature. Remember games like:
- Fireball Island
- The Goonies (from the movie by the same name)
- Ouija Board
- The Dark Tower
- Nintendo Legend of Zelda
Some can sell for over $100 on eBay. Even the game pieces have value, and if you don’t have the complete game, you can sell the board and game pieces separately.
Buyers may be trying to complete their own game set, and people do all kinds of other things with game pieces like making jewelry, Christmas ornaments, or decorative art for their homes. The boards can be used to make tabletops or framed for an interesting conversation piece.
6. Sneakers and Running Shoes
Bestsellers here are Nike waffle running shoes, Vans, and Converse. Vintage Vans slip-on canvas shoes with the checkerboard print (style #5) have sold for over $400 on eBay!
These were the shoes made famous by Sean Penn’s character, Jeff Spicoli in the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”
Vintage Nike running shoes with waffle soles are also highly coveted. The first Nikes of this style, the Cortez, were the royal blue with a yellow swoosh on the side. This style in good condition consistently sells for $300 on eBay. Even in not great condition, they can sell for around $100.
The grand prize winner of vintage 1980s shoes is Converse. These can sell for thousands. Converse made several limited-edition versions which are collector’s items. If you have the box and the original receipt, they will be even more valuable.
7. Smurf-Themed Items
Who knew 30 years post-Smurf, those adorable little blue creatures would be worth so much? Anything Smurfy goes:
- Board Games
- Small Figures
- Sheets
- Drinking Glasses
- Plush
- Costumes
- Christmas Ornaments
- Posters
Girls rule in this category as Smurfette is the most valuable. A tiny 1 inch tall PVC figurine can sell for over $50! The board game, Smurf Village, consistently sells for over $150 if in new and sealed condition. Watch for this one at garage sales. Hardees made a set of collectible Smurf drinking glasses and these sell for over $100 if you have all 14.
8. Strawberry Shortcake Dolls
These were enormously popular in the 1980s. eBay shows 1,400+ sold items with the keyword “Vintage Strawberry Shortcake” in preowned condition. That tells us that these items are out there, they aren’t rare, and they sell on eBay. If the doll is in the original box, it can be worth hundreds.
Orange Blossom, Mint Tulip, Banana Twirl, and Peach Blossom Strawberry Shortcake dolls all sell for over $400 if in the original box. The houses, clothes, and accessories are valuable. A set of the “Merry Attic” plastic furniture sells for over $100! That’s right, a few pieces of tiny plastic fashioned into doll furniture is worth $100.
Collecting is serious business, and if you learn what collectors want and how to find it, you can make a killing on eBay selling it. Even things like stationery, paper party plates, mugs, hair barrettes, sheets (you don’t need the whole set), throw blankets, or bicycle license plates can sell.
9. Prom Dresses
If you were lucky enough to go to a prom in the 1980s and saved your dress, they’re worth money on eBay. Remember the ruffles, puffy sleeves, and hoop skirts? Some fashions never die, even though they probably should.
Vintage prom dresses can sell for over $200 on eBay. This is another great item to look for at garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment stores. The bigger and more ostentatious the better! Loud colors, metallic fabric, exaggerated details like mutton chop sleeves, big bows, colors that don’t match, and puffy flowers. Yep, that’s the 80s.
People these days are seeking out authentic 80s vintage fashion, so while you think your old prom dress might be worthless or even ugly, somebody somewhere will buy it and probably for more than you can imagine. Who knew prom dresses would appreciate over time?
10. Scratch and Sniff Stickers
It seems like kids put stickers on everything in the 80s. Notebooks, lockers, sticker books, and each other. The scratch and sniff stickers were really popular, with scents like chocolate, fruit, or pizza.
There was a brand called Mello Smello that was popular. Hallmark also had a line of chocolate-scented candy-themed stickers. Lots (groups) of stickers, especially still new in the package (called new old stock) can sell for over $100 on eBay. There was another product, stickers and trading cards called Wacky Packs with take-offs of name brand products.
These were very clever and funny, like Moron Salt (instead of Morton Salt), Wind-Hex with a witch on the front (instead of Windex), and Ego (instead of Eggo) waffles. You might find these in those aisles of junk at thrift stores. It is worth looking at the little stuff, too.
The 1980s were a great time to be a teenager. Your main focus might have been what to wear to school the next day (Gloria Vanderbilt or Calvin Klein jeans) when you might run out of Aqua Net hairspray, or what was playing on the radio. Plenty of sentimental Gen Xers out there are more than willing to buy your 80s stuff, or maybe you want to start buying their stuff to add to your collection.
Where Do Vintage Stores Get Their Merchandise?
Have you ever walked into an antique/vintage mall, shop or flea market and wondered just where do vintage stores get their merchandise? If you’re looking to get into vintage reselling this information should get you well on your way to your newest addiction.
1. Estate sales and yard sales
How do you know where to find them? The want ads in the paper, a community trade publication, local Facebook pages…. Prices are all over the place with these. If you’re just starting out, go to antique malls to get a feel for what things are selling for before plopping down your hard earned cash.
But remember, it’s hard to go wrong with a quarter or less. Take that chance if you think it might be something that would sell. If it ends up a dud then you’ve spent a quarter – or less – on your education.
2. Thrift stores
Thrift stores are in every major city and town across the US and many smaller ones. A charity thrift store is dependent on donations with the proceeds, or at least some of the proceeds, going to help the charity it sponsors. These stores are Goodwill, Salvation Army, Hannah Home, King’s Ranch, etc. as well as more locally specific charities.
Many individually owned businesses call themselves “thrift shops” even though they are totally for profit. Perhaps they believe their prices are really low or they hope we’ll think their prices are low because they called themselves a thrift shop. Meh. Still, never rule them out. Good deals can be found there.
3. Friends and family and strangers
Sometimes friends and family will give you stuff they’re tired of. Sometimes they want to sell it to you. Sometimes they know someone who needs to clean out a house quickly and they tell them to call you.
4. At antique malls and shops
A lot of people swear by this method. They comb booths in antique malls and leave no stone unturned in shops looking for something that is underpriced. What you’re looking for in this scenario is something the dealer didn’t realize the value of or maybe something that they can’t sell to their customers that would go well with yours.
Sometimes you’ll find a dealer who simply prices according to what they paid. Sometimes you’ll just find something that you’re more familiar with than the dealer.
5. Real-Life Auctions
eBay isn’t the only auction place around. Perhaps there are real-life auctions near you. Each auction house has its specialty. It might be new things like tube socks or household junk or antiques or livestock or a mix of any or all of the above. You find out about auctions usually in the local want ads, but there’s also AuctionZip.com.
Remember, if you try out auctions, to set your limit on a certain item and don’t get caught up in the bidding frenzy. Also remember that there might be a “buyer’s premium” added to the total. Yeah. They’ll tack on an extra 5-10% or more of the selling price. So don’t forget to think about that when setting your limit.
How to Open a Vintage Furniture Shop?
Most people buy furniture at some point in their lives, but it can be quite pricey. To save money, many consumers opt to buy used furniture that is still in good shape–as long as it is functional and looks nice, it can be difficult to tell a new piece of furniture from secondhand merchandise.
Selling vintage furniture can be a good way to make extra money on a full- or part-time basis, but before jumping into this business, there are many things you will need to do.
1. Determine the niche for your secondhand furniture store business–doing so will allow you to target a specific customer base and not worry about stocking a huge amount of furniture. For instance, you can specialize in children’s furniture, vintage pieces, upscale and name-brand furniture or bedroom sets.
2. Get the permits and licenses needed to operate a retail business in your state. Depending on where you live, this may include an assumed name certificate, resale permit, sales tax permit or Employer Identification Number (EIN). Your local small business development center or Small Business Administration office can inform you of what documentation is required.
3. Rent or purchase a truck or trailer to haul your inventory and contact your state’s department of transportation to see if you will need a commercial driver license for your business. If you plan to use a warehouse, you can leave your truck there; otherwise, you should also make plans to find a parking space or garage for your vehicle.
4. Lease or buy a warehouse or retail storefront for your secondhand furniture store. If your store will be open to the public four or more days per week, it is best to get a building that is zoned for retail activity. If you plan to only be open a few days each week, a warehouse may be more suitable and less expensive. But you will have to work a bit harder to advertise your business since you will not have the advantage of foot traffic.
5. Source inventory for your store. There are many ways you can obtain merchandise, including the following: placing online and print classified ads seeking gently used furniture; attending storage auctions, garage and estate sales; accepting pieces from customers and the public for consignment.
6. Establish operating hours, policies and procedures for your secondhand furniture store. For instance, you can offer free delivery or charge a fee, create a return policy or set hours for those who wish to stop by and sell their furniture to you.
7. Organize your merchandise in a safe, logical manner, ensuring you leave plenty of space for customers to walk around. For example, living room furniture could be in one area, dining room furniture in another and accessories, such as mirrors and lamps, can be displayed on wall shelves.
8. Promote your furniture store. List your store in online and print business directories, launch an informational website, open social networking accounts, consider buying radio ads or place fliers in complementary businesses, such as home decor shops, storage facilities and home improvement stores.
9. Contact the interior designers, decorators, home-stagers and realtors in your area and let them know about your secondhand furniture store–these professionals regularly buy furniture in their line of work. It is also a good idea to give them a discount on anything they purchase to encourage repeat business.
Selling Vintage Clothing on Instagram
Here are the steps you can use to set up your store on Instagram:
1. Decide Which Clothes To Sell:
Whether you’re looking to create a capsule wardrobe or are just wanting to purge what you don’t wear anymore, you have to decide which clothes you want to sell first.
Any clothes you sell on Instagram should be in good condition (preferably like new with no holes, stains, or noticeable flaws). Anything else can be donated or sold at a garage sale!
2. Create A New Instagram Account:
Some people choose to use their personal accounts to sell their clothes, but more often than not, their closets aren’t very successful because people aren’t interested or get overwhelmed with the number of clothes in their feed.
Creating a separate closet account is awesome to market separately from your main account.
3. Promote Your Closet Sale:
You can occasionally promote your closet sale on your personal Instagram, but try not to too often. Other great ways to promote are by sharing on your Facebook (either your fan page or personal page), Tweeting about your closet sales, and following people under relevant hashtags (#shopmycloset, #closetsale…etc.).
4. Add Clothes To Your Sale:
After you’ve gotten the word out, it’s time to add clothes! Some people choose to do a “flash sale” where they add lots of clothes at once, let their followers bid and then close the closet at a set time. Others choose to keep their closet open all the time and have non-negotiable prices on their clothes. Both options work really well, you just have to decide which works best for your schedule.
We recommend pricing your clothes reasonably, but not overly cheap. If you decide to include shipping in your prices, up it by about $6 – $7. If not, look into how much shipping generally costs and add a reasonable shipping price in your bio.
5. Make That Money:
You can use PayPal to collect all of the funds from your shop (as do most other shops out there). It’s free, only requires an email address, and basically without risk.
Can You Make Money Selling Vintage Online?
If you’re a fashion lover, a potentially lucrative way to boost your income is by shifting secondhand clothes. With more and more people open to pre-worn, it’s a growing market. But figuring out how to make money selling vintage may be a case of trial and error.
The first thing to remember is that no money-making method is easy. Successfully selling vintage garments (or anything secondhand) will require dedication, industry awareness, and a knack for marketing. Luckily, the world is on your side.
According to ThredUp’s 2019 Resale Report, more secondhand shoppers exist now than ever before. By 2023, the resale market is expected to hit $51 billion (almost £40 billion) and by 2028, it will be larger than the fast fashion industry. Those are some pretty impressive statistics.
Many vintage sellers have made so much money that they’ve transformed their hobby into a full-time job. Whether you do that or keep it as a side hustle, don’t forget to report your extra taxable income to HMRC to avoid a nasty fine.
Is Selling Vintage Clothing Profitable?
Selling vintage clothing is a booming business right now. In fact, it’s reported that resale grew 24 times faster than retail between 2017 and 2018. Additionally, the overall resale market is likely to reach $41 billion by 2022.
If you’re considering trying the resale market, now is the time to do it – and vintage clothing is the way to go. Within the next decade, it’s expected that American closets will consist of at least 33% of used and vintage apparel.
If you have a love of vintage clothing and want to put that passion to work for you, then selling retro clothes online may be the business for you. There’s a market for trends from the past, but it takes more than just listing vintage clothes and waiting from them to sell to make a business successful.
How Can I Sell Vintage Items Online?
Vintage and antique goods can often bring you money if you’re selling the right items. But where should you sell your antiques for the most cash?
The websites and stores listed below will help you sell your antiques and get cash. With these options, you can sell either online or locally, depending on which option works best for you.
1. Etsy
Etsy only allows people to sell items that are handcrafted, custom-made, unique or vintage. If you’re selling antiques, you fit under the “vintage” category.
Several types of items qualify as vintage on Etsy, including:
- Clothing
- Books, movies and music
- Home decor items
- Jewelry and accessories
- Toys and games
Regarding vintage items, Etsy states that the items need to be at least 20 years old. If the items you want to sell are not at least 20 years old, you technically can’t sell them on Etsy.
Etsy does charge fees to sell on the site. There’s a 20 cent listing fee. After your item sells, you’ll pay a 5% transaction fee.
You might pay an additional fee based on the type of payments you accept and how a buyer pays. See the Etsy website for more details on fees.
2. Bonanza
The Bonanza website says it sells “everything but the ordinary.” When you sell your antiques on Bonanza, you won’t pay any listing or setup fees.
But when you sell, you’ll pay a fee of 3.5%. If you choose to have your antique advertised on Google ads, you’ll pay an additional 5.5% fee when you sell.
Bonanza has other advertising rates to expose your antiques to more buyers. If you’re considering selling antiques regularly, this feature could be very beneficial.
3. OfferUp
OfferUp works kind of like Craigslist. The site is made for people wishing to buy and sell locally.
One nice thing about OfferUp is that there are no listing or selling fees. In addition, there is a special section on the site geared toward selling antiques.
This means it can be easier for buyers to find your antique items when you list on the site. OfferUp is quickly becoming one of the most popular places to sell antiques and other items.
4. Ruby Lane
Ruby Lane specializes in helping people sell vintage items. However, it’s geared toward sellers who want to sell antiques regularly.
In fact, the site’s listing rules state that you must have a minimum of at least 10 items for sale at all times. There are no listing fees when you open a Ruby Lane shop.
However, you will pay $69 a month for your shop and a one-time set-up fee of $100. If you list more than 80 items, you will pay 1–10 cents in maintenance fees on each item every month.
5. ArtFire
ArtFire sells handmade goods, craft supplies and vintage (antique) items. You have to open a shop to sell on ArtFire. Shop fees are as follows:
- Standard Shop: $4.95 per month, 23 cent listing fee per item, 12.75% final valuation fee
- Popular Shop: $20 per month, no listing fees, 4.5% final valuation fee
- Featured Shop: $40 per month, no listing fees, 4.5% final valuation fee
Final valuation fees are based on the final selling price. With the Standard Shop, you can list up to 250 items for sale. The Popular and Featured shops let you list up to 1,000 items and 2,500 items for sale, respectively.
6. eBay
eBay is the old standby for selling antiques and other items. One benefit of selling antiques on eBay is its reach. Its more than 177 million shoppers (according to the eBay website) mean exposure for antiques you want to sell is massive.
If you sell as an individual, you’ll pay $0 for listing fees and a 10% final valuation fee. On the other hand, if you choose to sell as a business, there are shop plans eBay has in place. See the eBay website for more information.
7. Craigslist
Craigslist is nice for selling antiques because there are no listing or selling fees. In addition, most of your buyer market for the items you sell will likely be local to where you live.
This means you don’t have to ship your antiques and can meet your buyers in person instead. The market for selling antiques on Craigslist may vary depending on the area where you live.
In my major metropolitan area, there were thousands of antique items listed for sale. Your area may have different results. Another option for you might be to try selling on sites that are similar to Craigslist.
8. Flea Markets
Another option for selling your antiques could be to offer them at flea markets. There are several ways to make money at a flea market.
You can rent space at a stationary flea market that is housed in a building or market area near you. Or, you can join a traveling flea market when it comes to your area.
You could even join in the traveling market as it goes from town to town. Selling your antiques at a flea market would likely be best if you have many antiques to sell.
Or, you could sell at a flea market if you have antiques and other non-antique items you want to sell, too. Most flea markets charge some sort of rent for the booth or table you use to display your items.
9. Facebook
Facebook is fast becoming one of my favorite places to buy and sell. One reason for this is that selling on Facebook Marketplace is free. There are two ways you can sell.
First, you have the option to sell your item by simply posting it and sharing with your Facebook followers. This can be a nice option to choose because you’re typically only dealing with people you know.
Second, you can post your antique items for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Facebook Marketplace is a section within Facebook where you can post items for sale.
Everyone who goes on Facebook Marketplace can see your antique listings. This means you’ll have a much bigger potential audience than if you just write a post to your timeline.
And since shoppers here need to have a Facebook account, there’s a certain level of security involved.
10. eBid
eBid works very similarly to eBay. However, there’s one major difference: lower fees than eBay. In fact, eBid promises you’ll never pay more than 3% to sell your antiques and other items there.
eBid isn’t a new site; it’s been around since 1999. And the website says they currently have over 3 million items for sale. This means you can be sure you’ll reach a wide audience if you list on the site.
If you want to sell on the site, you just need to hit the “Start Selling” button. The site will direct you from there.
You can sell all types of antiques on eBid, including:
- Art
- Clothing
- Coins
- Collectibles
- Furniture and home decor items
- Jewelry and accessories.
eBid can be a great site to use if you want to reach a global audience. With their “zero listing fees” policy and maximum of 3% selling fees, you can reach a large audience without paying exorbitant fees.
11. Consignment Stores
Another option for selling your antiques for cash is going to local consignment stores.
Consignment stores typically work like this:
- You bring your vintage item into the store
- Store employees assess and price the item
- The item gets displayed in-store
- Once the item sells, you split the sell money with the store
Consignment stores usually work on commission. Depending on store policy, they’ll take 20%, 30%, 40% or more of what your antique item sells for.
Each consignment store sets its own rules regarding the percentage of the sale they’ll take. Therefore, it’s important to know the rules of the shop before placing your item for sale in it.
That includes knowing cancellation rules. Be sure you’re not on the hook to pay the shop if your item doesn’t sell.
12. Yard Sales
You could also try selling your antiques by having a yard sale. In order to get the most shoppers, consider having your yard sale during citywide or neighborhood-wide sales.
By doing so, you’ll help ensure there will be an abundance of people shopping. Another tip is to combine your sale with those of other families or neighbors. Multi-family sales can entice shoppers, as they expect to find more items for sale.
And finally, be flexible when pricing your antiques at a yard sale. People love a bargain. Set your prices with a bit of wiggle room for bargainers.
Or, decide in advance how low you’ll go for the sale price. Would you rather keep the item if you can’t get a certain price for it? Or is the goal simply to get rid of the antique?
Determine the answers to these types of questions and price your antiques accordingly.
13. Pawn Shops
Local pawn shops might be another place you can sell your antiques. While pawn shops do allow you to sell your stuff to borrow money, they also allow you to sell it permanently and keep the cash.
Search online for pawn shops near you and bring your items into the shop to ask what they might give you for the items. Make it clear that you won’t want the item back, and that it is theirs to sell if you agree upon a sale price.
Keep in mind that pawn shops have a goal of buying low and selling to make a profit. For this reason, you may not get as much money from a pawn shop as you would by selling online.
14. Local Antique Shops
You could make money if you have a lot of antiques to sell.
How? By renting space at an antique shop. Many antique shops rent space to dealers who have several antiques to sell.
The dealer — or renter — displays their items priced as they wish. Customers come in and buy the items.
You could even have a continuous stream of items to sell and make a business out of it. Dealers get the antiques they sell at a variety of places, such as:
- Estate sales
- Garage sales
- Flea markets
- Auctions
They look for great deals on antiques and then resell them at antique stores where they rent space. Do you have a lot of antiques to sell, or are you looking to make a business out of selling antiques? If so, consider checking into becoming a seller at an antique shop.
15. Auction Houses
An auction house is another place you might consider if you have a large number of antiques. In addition, if you have highly valuable antiques such as automobiles, using an auction house to sell might serve you well.
Auction houses will sell your antiques at an auction and then take a percentage of the profit. The auction will be advertised in order to gain a larger audience.
People like going to auctions as it can be exciting to compete to buy items. Auctioneers work to create excitement that makes people eager to bid. This is because it’s in the auctioneer’s best interest to gain the most money for your antiques.
The more income they get per piece, the more their profit increases. However, the income you’ll get from your antique items depends on who is at the auction and whether they’re looking for what you’re selling.
If buyers who are looking for your type of antique are there, the chance of them buying is higher.
How do I Start an Online Vintage Store?
1. Research and find your niche
If you’ve ever been to a thrift store, you know it can be pretty overwhelming. Clothes crammed onto racks, boxes of knick-knacks on the floor… You have to sift through a lot of junk to find an item you like.
You want your online thrift store to give a very different experience. To do this, you need to keep in mind the idea of offering a curated selection of items. This is where you’re adding value for your customers; you’re cutting out the ‘sifting’ stage, and bringing the products they want directly.
Keep the word ‘curated’ front and center in your mind, whenever you’re developing your thrift store – or choosing your stock. You’ll want to hone in on a type of product, and if possible, take things even more niche.
For example, clothes could be the type of product. Women’s clothing would make this more niche, and ‘Retro women’s clothing would be better still. Remember: curated, curated, curated. You want your online store to look really put together.
2. Create your brand
Now you have an idea of what you want to sell, it’s time to put some thought into your brand. This isn’t just your name and logo, although that’s certainly part of it – on top of that, you’ll want to put some real thought into your vibe, and your target audience.
Here are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself in order to establish this:
- Who is my target audience? Think gender, age, interests, and lifestyle. Who can you imagine loving your products?
- What’s my USP? What makes you stand out from other sellers?
- How will my target audience find my store? We’ll cover marketing in more detail later on, but it’s worth giving some thought to this from the off.
Choosing a brand name
A good brand name should be short, memorable, and unique. Choosing one is no easy task! You can contact your state’s business filing agency to check for businesses with the same name in your state, or use this database to search for names trademarked at a national level.
We’ll cover how to register a business a little later on, but we recommend the first thing you do is grab the handles you want on any social media sites you plan to use.
We’ll also cover promotion and marketing later on, but there’s no reason to wait until you’ve set up shop to start this – especially if you’ll be selling clothing. Start posting images that fit your brand image to create a ‘mood board’ of sorts, and generate a buzz for ‘something coming’. That way, once you launch your store, you won’t be starting from scratch!
3. Set up shop
Of course, you’ll need at least a few products to actually launch your shop (we’ll cover sourcing stock in more detail in the next section), but it’s helpful to think about how you want to sell your products before you even start buying them.
When it comes to setting up your virtual shop, there are three different routes you can go down:
- Use an e-commerce platform
- Use a self-hosted platform
- Sell through marketplaces
Marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, and eBay have obvious advantages, but if you’re serious about making this business a long-term venture, they won’t have the scalability and brand-building capabilities that you need.
4. Source Products
Now we get to the really fun part! Well, we think so, anyway. It’s time to source your stock!
Don’t invest too much money in your stock at first – start off with a small collection, so you can get a feel for what’s selling well before you buy more.
There are a few ways to go about this, and some methods will be ruled out by the type of product you want to stock, so pick and choose as appropriate:
- Thrift stores
- Yard/garage sales
- Estate sales
- eBay
- Craigslist
- Clearance sales
- Flea markets
Once you see an item that fits your brand criteria, it can be all too tempting to snap it up straight away. But before you go ahead and purchase it, run through the following quick checks:
1. Look at the general condition
Check the item for any stains, or signs of wear and tear. Some things can be spruced up easily, but it’s best to steer clear of items with any real damage or stains.
2. Browse online prices
You’ve got a great feeling about this item, but what would your customers think? They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and you can get a feel for which camp your item would fall into by looking at how much similar items are selling for online.
3. Check labels and hallmarks
If you’re selling vintage or antique items, it pays to know your labels. Can you tell the difference between a 70s Laura Ashley label and a 90s one? Do you know your real Chelsea anchor from its imitators? Take the time to check these things out in the shop before buying.
Once you’ve gathered your ‘first collection’ of items, take them home and give them some serious TLC.
If you’ve bought clothes, make sure you wash them, but be very careful when dealing with old or delicate material – it’s always best to do a quick Google first. If you’ve bought anything else, give it a wipe down before proceeding.
5. Store your products
So once you have your lovely clean stock ready to sell, you’ll run into the next question – where should you store it?
Where to store your products
When you first start out, a spare room/cupboard/wardrobe/rail should work fine. However, your roommate/parents/significant other/cat probably won’t take too kindly to having your whole place overrun with stock, so it’s good to have something more permanent in mind from the start.
For most online retailers, that means renting a storage unit. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for a storage unit (on average):
Size | Average Monthly Cost in the US |
---|---|
5’ x 10’ | $75.95 |
10’ x 10’ | $122.15 |
10’ x 20’ | $200.50 |
…but expect these prices to spike in large cities.
Create a storage system
We’d argue that creating a system for storing and tracking your inventory is as important as finding the space to do it.
We think it makes most sense to store your stock in a way that matches how it’s categorized on site. If we take clothing, that probably means splitting it out into mens and womens (if you offer both) and then grouping by season or clothing type. This makes it easy to locate an item when you need to send it off.
You’ll also need a system for tracking inventory. This is vital for any ecommerce business, but particularly for thrift and vintage store owners; once your one-of-a-kind product is gone, it really is gone!
eCommerce platforms generally have impressive inventory management tools, because part of their appeal is the all-in-one convenience of selling on your own website. And we were particularly impressed by Squarespace’s features, which include the ability to send automated abandoned cart recovery emails to customers who didn’t complete their purchases. Squarespace’s clean, centralized dashboard also makes it easy to organize your products by price, name, or number left in stock.
6. Take great product photos
If you’ve followed our advice, you should now have a lovely selection of clean stock that you’re really proud of.
That’s why rushing your product photos is a mistake. You don’t need any fancy equipment to get this right, but you do need to prepare and take the time to get it right.
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Use lots of light
A well-lit product makes for a great shot. Natural light is best, but failing that, just put on as many lights as possible, and keep them as close as possible to the product as you don’t distort the shape. Good to know! Flash is not a good substitute for poor lighting, and should be avoided in product photography at all costs.
- Invest in a white ‘sweep’ background
White is the best color for showing off any product, as it’s the least distracting. And when we say white, we mean pure white – once you end up with different shades of off-white, you’ll immediately lose that ‘put together feel.
If you can, we suggest investing in a big roll of white paper (google ‘white backdrop paper’) which you can roll out behind the subject of your photo. This will give the perfect ‘nothingness’ background, free from the angles you’d get against a white wall.
- Use your smartphone, but go easy on the editing
Modern smartphones have such sophisticated cameras that there’s little point in investing in something more high-tech, especially at first. But steer clear of all filters, and generally edit your images with a very light touch. Once you overdo this, the colors in your images won’t match up with the products, and your pictures could start to look garish or mismatched.
- Go from all angles – yep, even the bad ones!
Unless you’re showing a very simple product, one image is unlikely to be enough. Aim to take a picture from every side, and go up close for important details or detailing. And don’t shy away from showing imperfections – honesty is the best policy! Aim for at least four photos for each product.
7. Price your products
- Cover your costs
This may sound super basic, but when pricing your products, it’s important to think about your costs as a whole. Yes, there’s the price you paid for the item, but you also need to factor in packaging, shipping, any transaction/seller fees, and even a portion of your fixed costs (i.e. costs which won’t change from month to month, like a website builder subscription or storage unit rent).
- Check out the competition
If you’re selling in a competitive space, you’ll need competitive pricing to match. If you’re selling something a little more unique or bespoke, you have a bit more freedom, but it’s still worth checking what similar items are selling for online.
- Know the worth of what you’re selling
This goes back to knowing your labels and markings. Don’t accidentally sell something for less than it’s worth because you didn’t check properly!
8. Set up shipping
The last piece of the logistics puzzle is to get a robust shipping system in place. And again, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, we already have a super-comprehensive guide to walk you through the finer details of shipping your products, but here are a few key pointers and considerations:
- Free vs real-time vs flat shipping
Firstly, you’ll want to commit to how you’re charging your shipping – at least to start with.
Free shipping can definitely be an enticing option for shoppers, but if you go down this route, make sure you’re definitely covering the cost of shipping in the cost of your items. We also recommend you set some conditions, such as a minimum order value, and only allow this within the country that you’re based.
With a real-time shipping charge, you’re basically calculating shipping charges for an order based on the weight and location. Every popular shipping carrier will have a calculator tool that you can use to check this, like this one from FedEx.
You can then input a different shipping price for each item, or if you’re using a website builder like Squarespace, you can set this up to be calculated automatically as the customer goes to check out, based on ‘rules’ and variables that you predetermine. A lot of online marketplaces, Etsy and eBay included, will also offer shipping calculators to make your life easier.
Calculated shipping is a bit more effort, but is helpful for stores selling large items with different weights, like furniture, where the shipping cost will likely vary a lot from item to item. Squarespace’s Advanced Commerce plan will even automatically calculate shipping rates for different providers, including USPS and FedEx.
A flat shipping rate is the easiest option. This involves calculating a rough average price for your shipping, and then just adding this cost to every delivery as standard. This way, you might lose a little money shipping some large orders, but overall it should all balance out and save you a lot of time and hassle.
- Dropping off vs picking up parcels
Look out for carriers that have an option to collect parcels from you, rather than you dropping them off to the drop off point. In the early days, dropping off parcels probably won’t take up too much time, but it’s nice to have the option if orders really ramp up later down the line.
Website builders make this especially easy. For example, with Wix you can choose to offer local delivery, standard shipping, and even curbside pickup, and you set your own shipping regions – so you won’t accidentally end up shipping abroad if you’re not ready!
Oh, and on a related note – pick a carrier with a drop off point that’s near to you, or your storage area! The novelty of saving 20¢ per parcel will soon wear off once you’re schlepping an extra 20 miles each day to drop off your parcels.
Here are some popular shipping carriers to compare:
- UPS
- FedEx
- DHL
- USPS
- Canada Post
- Labels and packaging
The best packaging for your product should be lightweight, as close to the size of the product as possible, sturdy, and protective. While branded packaging is a really fun idea, it might be best to stick to the regular stuff until your brand feels a bit more certain and established. You can bulk buy most packaging from sites like Amazon.
Whether you set up your own website or use a marketplace, your shipping labels should be auto-generated, and it’ll just be a question of printing these out.
9. Create a marketing plan
Building a beautiful store is one thing, but making sure people actually get to see it is another. So with that in mind, marketing isn’t something you should leave as an afterthought!
Here are the components you’ll want to build into a strong marketing plan:
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Give your site the best possible chance of featuring on page one of Google’s search results for terms related to your products by helping Google to understand what your site is about, and sending some extra positive signals.
- Use a free keyword tool like Google’s keyword planner to find out popular search terms in your industry, and include these throughout your site
- Use a free image compressor to make your image file sizes as small as possible, which in turn will make your site as fast as possible
- Add a blog, and post to it regularly – this could help draw in extra traffic, but also demonstrates that the site is current and being worked on actively
Website builders lend a huge helping hand when it comes to SEO. For example, Wix has its very own SEO Wiz tool, which creates a tailored action plan for you to follow to optimize your store. This means that anyone can start optimizing, even if you’re a total beginner.
- Social media
Social media, and particularly Instagram, is probably the most powerful tool at the disposal of any new e-commerce business – particularly one selling to a younger demographic.
Building your Instagram following should start long before you open your store, or even before you have any stock when you can start building a ‘buzz’ and reposting images that fit your aesthetic.
Once you open your shop, post regularly. Show new in stock, behind-the-scenes pictures of shoots, and just shout about your favorite products. Encourage customers to tag you in pictures of them wearing your clothes, and repost these to your stories.
You can even use a platform like Squarespace to display your Instagram feed on your website and tag your store’s products in your Instagram posts.
- Paid marketing
Paid marketing is not essential for your business’ success, but PPC or social media ads are something you may want to consider a little later down the line. This could be when you’re sure you have a great structure and system in place, and you have a good feel of what proves popular on your site.
Vintage Buy And Sell Website
Whether you’re looking to purchase a vintage handbag, sell an antique tea set, or buy some designer vintage clothes for half the retail price, online flea markets are some of the best places to sell the items you don’t need online (and buy the items you want at a reasonable price).
Just like actual flea markets, online marketplaces allow vendors to connect with buyers and sell previously-owned merchandise for a fraction of the original price and, in the era of COVID-19, in a way that is safe for all involved.
In addition, online flea markets promote sustainable consumption, help collectors and vintage lovers find and purchase rare items, and best of all, they’re full of incredible deals that help shoppers collect beloved items without breaking the bank.
As much as you may love sifting through goods at a street market or rummaging through a vintage shop, virtual marketplaces allow you find the items you’re looking for with ease while avoiding crowds and staying safe in the comfort of your own home.
Many sites can also help you sell items, which means you’ll make some extra money on the side with minimal effort. For easy buying and selling, here are the virtual flea markets that you should definitely check out
1. Srchie
Want to peruse the world’s largest flea market? With more than 80 million items to browse and results pulled froma dozen different websites, Srchie allows you to search for (and sell) just about anything, including antiques, vintage, collectibles, art, furniture, fashion, jewelry, books, and more.
Best for: Antiques, vintage, collectibles, and art
2. Mercari
Mercari is a selling app with a mission: to make selling even easier than buying. The site lets you sell and buy fashion, toys, electronics, sporting goods, and more with free shipping, free listings, and no hassle.
Best for: Both new and used clothing, accessories, and electronics
3. Bonanza
Created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, Bonanza is a great tool for making some extra cash. The seller-centric marketplace lets you easily list and buy a variety of items, including fashion, home and garden, health and beauty, collectibles and art, and more. If you’re looking to grow your business, you can join Bonanza’s affiliate program or even open your own e-commerce website through the site.
Best for: Both new and used clothing, electronics, and home goods
4. eBay
eBay isn’t just for bidding wars. Though you can put your items up for auction (or bid on goods you’re interested in), the e-commerce site also has a “buy it now” option to help you avoid being outbid. Plus, eBay has the reputation for being the place to buy and sell online goods, so it’s a great place to begin your hunt if you’re searching for something specific.
Best for: Just about everything
5. TIAS
If you’re into antiques, then The Internet Antique Shop (or TIAS, for short) is for you. On TIAS, you can easily buy and sell antiques and collectible items that you won’t find anywhere else, and the site will even help you set up your own online shop.
Best for: Antiques, vintage, collectibles, and art
Where to Find Vintage Clothing to Resell
We’ve found some of the best places to shop thrifted and vintage clothing online, and starting at an affordable price. These shops range in location, from Brooklyn to San Francisco to the UK. No matter where you are, you can invest in some secondhand flair without breaking the bank.
1. Etsy
Based In | Brooklyn, NY
Product Range | Adult & children’s apparel, accessories, shoes, bags
Price Range | $–$$$$
For vintage finds and handmade clothing, Etsy is the online marketplace to shop. With product listings ranging from stunning dresses and ruffled blouses to tweed coats from the 1960s and vintage jeans, Etsy has something for everyone, in every price range. (A few of our faves are MAW Supply, Roselein Rarities, and Persephone Vintage.)
This certified B Corp also sells accessories, jewelry, bags, art, and home goods. Shopping here is an excellent way to support small businesses and local sellers as most listings are posted by individuals or boutique shops, with climate-neutral shipping.
2. Patagonia Worn Wear
Based In | Ventura, CA
Product Range | Adult & children’s apparel, outdoor wear & packs, and gear
Price Range | $–$$$
For those who love being in the outdoors and protecting it, Patagonia’s Worn Wear is the perfect place to look. The online store sells used Patagonia clothing and gear that’s been traded in by fellow enthusiasts. The team repairs the returned items (or recycles them if they’re a little too loved) and offers Worn Wear credits in exchange.
Plus, its Recrafted Collection is comprised of clothes made from other used garments, and its Factory Seconds collection is full of items that arrived at the warehouse flawed. Ultimately, Patagonia is doing the work to get its gear out in the world instead of into landfills.
3. Depop
Based In | London, UK
Product Range | Adult apparel, intimates, accessories, shoes
Price Range | $–$$$$
For fashion inspo at your fingertips, look no further than Depop. The global marketplace has over 21 million sellers, stylists, designers, collectors, creatives, and influencers offering unique preloved and vintage items.
With an interface that resembles Instagram, buyers can interact with their favorite shops and vendors through “follows,” “likes,” comments, and messages. You can even search for pieces by hashtag. Depop is aiming to “make fashion more inclusive, diverse, and less wasteful”—what more could you ask for?
4. eBay
Based In | San Jose, CA
Product Range | Adult & children’s apparel, accessories, shoes, bags, maternity
Price Range | $–$$$$
eBay, the pioneer of online marketplaces, is a treasure trove for vintage clothing. As one of the few peer-to-peer platforms, eBay has outlined policies that keep the buyer and safety at the forefront of transactions. And with millions of sellers, the range is tough to beat—you’ll find everything from a 1940s women’s blazer to vintage Converse sneakers.
Our favorites include Seattle Women’s Assistance Fund for size-inclusive options that give back, Sunglass Museum for eyewear, and Room6 Vintage for bold patterns. Breathe new life into an old piece.
5. Swap.com
Based In | Chicago & Finland
Product Range | Adult & children’s apparel, accessories, shoes, plus size & maternity
Price Range | $–$$$
Featured by the likes of Vogue, The Today Show, and The Wall Street Journal, Swap.com is another affordable thrift store and marketplace. With over two million unique items, you’ll find high-quality alternatives to buying brand new for just about everyone in your family.
Orders over $75 come with free shipping, so it’s okay to splurge just a little! Not only will you look more fashionable than ever, but you’ll be helping to recycle textiles and keep waste out of landfills.
Sell Vintage Clothing in Bulk
Vintage is the key to success for stores that wish to reach a globally conscious and fashion-focused consumer. American Recycled Clothing was founded on the idea of offering clothing retailers one-of-a-kind products, for an affordable price, and with minimal impact on the environment.
Whether you are:
- Looking to handpick a variety of as-is band tees and Harley Davidson shirts
- Wanting to create a unique private label re-work collection using flannel as a fabric source
- Exporting kids clothing to a third world market
Or anything and everything in between, ARC has all your vintage and commodity used clothing needs covered from every angle. They can be your first choice for wholesale vintage clothing online or in person.
Buyers of Vintage Clothing
Vintage Vixen Clothing LLC divided their list of wants into three categories: Most Wanted, Interesting Items, and Unwanted. Their Most Wanted list includes items we are always looking for. Interesting Items include types of items that might be tempting, but that they already have plenty of.
Most Wanted List:
- Any couture or ready to wear by Adrian, Etienne Aigner, Tony Alamo, Bill Atkinson, Balenciaga, Balmain, Geoffrey Beene, Harve Benard, BIBA, Bill Blass, Donald Brooks, Burberry, Pierre Cardin, Hattie Carnegie, Bonnie Cashin, Oleg Cassini, Chanel, Ceil Chapman, Enid Collins, Victor Costa, Andre Courreges, Davidow, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, pre-1985 Escada, Jacques Fath, Louis Feraud, Ferragamo, Anne Fogarty, Fortuny, Galanos, pre-1990 John Paul Gaultier, Rudi Gernreich, Givenchy, Gucci, Halston, Jacques Heim, Hermes, Irene, Charles James, Charles Jourdan, Norma Kamali, pre-1980 Anne Klein, pre-1980 Calvin Klein, pre-1975 Lacoste, Lanvin, pre-1980 Ralph Lauren, Judith Leiber, pre-1980 Levi’s, Lilli Ann, Marimekko, Vera Maxwell, Claire McCardell, Jessica McClintock, Hanae Mori, Jean Muir, Jack Mulqueen, pre-1980 Nike, North Beach Leather, Mollie Parnis, Poiret, Emilio Pucci, Lilly Pulitzer, Paco Rabanne, Rodier, pre-1980 Lillie Rubin, Schiaparelli, Ken Scott, pre-1960 Alfred Shaheen, Jerry Silverman, Adele Simpson, Yves St Laurent, St John, Jay Thorpe, Teal Traina, Pauline Trigere, Valentino, Gloria Vanderbilt, Vera Neumann, Vested Gentress, Vionnet, pre-1980 Diane von Furstenberg, Vivienne Westwood, Whiting & Davis, Willi Smith, C.F. Worth
- Bathing Suits: any pre-1960
- Belts: unique styles pre-1960, 1960s chain-link hip belts, 1970s hippie designs
- Children’s: any pre-1980
- Coats: any pre-1945, 1950s boleros, 1970s coats with faux or real fur trim at the cuffs & collar, unique furs
- Cocktail Dresses: any pre-1950
- Day Dresses: any pre-1945, 1960s mini dresses, pre-1960 sun dresses
- Evening Gowns: any pre-1950
- Gloves: unique designs pre-1960
- Hats: any pre-1945, quality classics pre-1980, unique designs pre-1980
- Hosiery: seamed stockings
- Lingerie: any pre-1950, appliqued designs, two-tone designs, circular stitched bras, camisoles, corsets, satin designs
- Men’s: any pre-1945
- Pants: clear vinyl, zip-around jeans, pre-1970s jeans
- Pant Suits: 1950s hostess outfits, 1970s performer’s designs
- Purses: any pre-1950, lucite, completely beaded designs
- Scarves: pre-1950, hand painted designs
- Shirts: pre-1950, 1970s surreal or nostalgia prints
- Shoes: pre-1945, clear lucite 1970s platforms with goldfish compartment
- Shorts: pre-1950, any hot pants
- Skirts: pre-1950, 1950s circle skirts, wrap skirts, hippie skirts
- Suits & Dress Sets: pre-1950
- Sweaters & Cardigans: pre-1950, any appliqued, beaded or otherwise embellished designs, any cashmere, twin sets
Interesting Items List:
- Ready to wear by Tony Alamo, Bill Atkinson, Harve Benard, Bill Blass, Donald Brooks, Victor Costa, Davidow, Louis Feraud, Anne Fogarty, Charles Jourdan, Norma Kamali, Lilli Ann, Vera Maxwell, Jessica McClintock, Jack Mulqueen, Ken Scott, Jerry Silverman, Adele Simpson, Jay Thorpe, Gloria Vanderbilt, Vera, Whiting & Davis, Willi Smith
- Bathing Suits: 1960-1980
- Cocktail Dresses: 1950-1960
- Day Dresses: wrap dresses
- Evening Gowns: 1950-1970
- Men’s: 1945-1965 rockabilly & performer styles, concert tees
- Pant Suits: any pre-1960 casual ensembles
- Purses: 1970s box designs
- Shirts: 1950-1980
- Shoes: 1945-1960
- Shorts: 1950-1970
- Skirts: 1950-1970
- Suits & Dress Sets: 1950-1965
- Sweaters & Cardigans: 1950-1970
Unwanted Items:
- Bathing Suits: post-1980
- Children’s: post-1980
- Coats: basic colors of average quality post -1955
- Cocktail Dresses: post-1960, any obvious polyesters
- Day Dresses: post-1980, any obvious polyesters
- Evening Gowns: post-1970, any obvious polyesters
- Gloves: any basic designs
- Hats: post-1980
- Hosiery: unseamed stockings, any pantyhose
- Lingerie: any basic designs
- Men’s: post-1965
- Pant Suits: any obvious polyesters
- Purses: post-1980
- Shirts: post-1980
- Shoes: post-1960
- Shorts: post-1970
- Skirts: post-1970
- Suits & Dress Sets: post-1965
- Sweaters & Cardigans: post-1970
How To Sell
There are two ways to proceed in selling items to us. With both procedures, all shipping is the responsibility of you, the seller. The more in-depth selling procedure earns you more money. It is as follows:
- The seller emails us with a list of garments for sale, including the following details:
- pertinent descriptive details
- labels spelled out
- asking prices
- pictures attached to the email
- and every condition flaw noted
- The seller sends us a box or boxes of items. Do not send items that we are not interested in.
- We sort through, send an email confirming contents and condition, and mail you a check.
The simple selling procedure takes less time on your part but earns less. It is as follows:
- The seller emails us with a list of items and prices. Descriptions of items, including every condition flaw noted are required for each item. We reply, telling you which items we are interested in.
- The seller sends us a box or boxes of items, with or without a price list. Do not send items that we are not interested in.
- We sort through, and send an email with total price offered. The seller verifies and accepts or rejects the offer.
- We return unwanted items (if any) along with a check for the total purchase of the garments.
Do not expect a reply from us if:
- you send an email without stating which selling procedure you’re following, or without all required details included in the message
- you send a package without prior notification AND a response from our company, stating that the specific items you list are wanted
For sellers with large quantities (500+ items), in-person appointments can be arranged.
Vintage Clothing Business Plan
Making a plan is the first step when starting a vintage clothing business. Map out your plan and it becomes far easier to navigate with time. Without a plan, you will begin to feel a bit lost as time goes on.
A business plan always helps to navigate the course, it gives you an idea of what you’re going into. If you want a successful business, then the importance of a business plan cannot be overemphasized.
You need to clarify what kind of clothes you would like to sell, the capital you would need to go into the business including all the expenses you are bound to meet along the way. These expenses span across, legal fees, marketing fees, rentals, insurance, staff and so many areas. Make an estimate on how much you would need for inventory also and add it all up.
A prediction of your cash flow is a great place to start. You also need to decide your niche; what kind of vintage clothes would you like to sell. How would you like your vintage shop to look? These details are to be included in your business plan.
Create a document with all this information including the structure of the business, are you running it alone or is it a partnership? Answer these questions in your business plan.
Selling Vintage Clothing on eBay
The best way to sell clothes on eBay is to rise above the competition. Now, that may sound silly because it’s such a basic concept. But, there are thousands of sellers out there who haven’t the foggiest idea of:
1. Product Photos
– Why product images have to rock and how to take great photos
2. eBay Marketplace Research
– View average selling prices
– Find the best performing keywords and categories for your listings
– Track products to gauge market demand and seasonality. View average selling prices
– Determine the most effective listing format—fixed price or auction-style
– Easily monitor your competition
3. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
– Driving more shoppers to your listings
4. eBay Shipping
– Shipping costs can eat up your profits if you don’t know how to calculate them
Even if your goal is just to make a few extra dollars per month take some time and read over the tutorials above. put your best foot forward and you’ll be surprised at how well you do!
Where to Sell Vintage Clothing UK
If you’re stuck at home again, a good way to spend the time is to sell clothes online. Firstly, it’s the perfect way to practice circular fashion, or at least offset the money you spend on clothes. Secondly, it’s great to declutter and send unwanted clothes off to a loving new home.
What you might not realise though is that eBay isn’t the only way to do it, with plenty more options out there to ensure you get the best experience (and £££) possible. So keep scrolling for the best sites to sell clothes online.
RESELLFRIDGES
Best for: The new Resell service at Selfridges is perfect if you’re looking to sell pre-loved designer handbags. It works a little differently than a normal resell site in that instead of getting paid, you get store credit to spend in store or online at seldrifges.com. Great if you want to refresh your style.
What’s the commission? Once you upload your bag pictures, the quote you get is for the full amount you’ll receive as a gift card. It’s super fast as well, with the amount being credited to you within 24 hours of your bag being verified.
Vinted
Best for: High street clothes. This differs from eBay in that there is no auction, so your item will go for asking price, though buyers get the option to negotiate the price. You can also swap items with other sellers.
What’s the commission? It’s free to list and sell on Vinted, which is a big bonus (though buyers are charged a small fee). However you do only get paid when your item is received (you post a picture of your Post Office receipt as proof of postage), however I’ve never had an issue with this.
Vestiaire Collective
Best for: Designer clothes. Selling designer items on eBay can be tricky, I’ve had authentic items being taken down before as the site didn’t deem them authentic. Vestiaire authenticates everything for you. You can either list it yourself and then send it to Vestiaire once it’s sold so they can check everything and send on to the buyer. Or you can send the item for Vestiaire to list from the start.
What’s the commission? Yes, it’s quite high but worth it for the hassle. If you sell yourself you get about 80% of the purchase price, and if Vestiaire sells it for you that goes down to about 75%.
Rebelle
Best for: Designer clothes. You can either list items yourself or use the concierge service that will do it for you, a great option if you’re time-poor.
What’s the commission? The commission depends on how much your items sell for. It’s between 17% and 33% and if you sell items below €40, you get charged a flat rate of €20, so it’s only worth selling if it’s an expensive designer item.
Depop
Best for: Instagram hits. If you’ve seen an items you love all over on Instagram, chances are you’ll find it on Depop. Many influencers also sell their clothes on there, and it’s super quick to use.
What’s the commission? 10% of all sales. You also get charged straight away meaning you don’t have any nasty surprises later on.
COS resell
Best for: Cos clothing. Sure, it’s a bit niche, but if you have loads of old clothes from the brand that you’d love to sell then it’s a great way to do it. You’re also support Cos’s efforts to become more sustainable.
What’s the commission? 10%, so you get a good chunk from the sale, more than you might get selling elsewhere.
ASOS Marketplace
Best for: Bulk sales. ASOS Marketplace is a great place to establish your vintage online store, as you need to sell at least 15 items at a time. You’ll need high quality second hand or vintage piece, and to shoot them on a model, so it’s a bit more time consuming.
What’s the commission? £20 per month, and 20% from all items sold.
Preloved
Best for: Local sales. Preloved is a bit like Gumtree, so while you can sell items to anyone, you can also search for items based on location, which will save you postage fees. You might not make as much on here as on other sites though, so it’s better for high street pieces.
What’s the commission? It’s all free.
eBay
Best for: It’s pretty good if you want to sell clothes online across any category, but as eBay doesn’t have an authentication team, it’s safer to stick to high street brands here, and use specialised platforms such as Vestiaire for designer items.
What’s the commission? You can sell up to 20 items for free, after that it goes up to £0.35 per item. Opting for a ‘buy it now’ listing instead of an auction will also cost a little more. If you’re item sells, you’ll be charge 10% of the sale including postage. eBay charges you once a month so make sure you remember as if you sell loads in a month it’ll likely sting a bit.
Sell Vintage Clothing App
1stdibs
A digital marketplace frequented by creatives such as Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg, 1stdibs offers fashion, jewelry, art and antiques from experienced sellers pre-vetted by the app. Clothing spans from 1750’s French court slippers to archival Alexander McQueen.
The platform is also a fruitful resource for designer bag collectors: over 20,000 listings include Hermès Birkin bags, crystal-encrusted Judith Leiber clutches and a variety of monogram Louis Vuitton leatherware.
Depop
A community-focused buying-and-selling app catered to Gen-Z fashion lovers, Depop touts a range of designer and secondhand fashion from the closets of collectors and influencers alike. Whether you’re looking for a vintage Vivienne Westwood corset or the perfect ’70s bell bottoms, Depop is a one-stop-shop.
Heroine
Community marketplace Heroine mainly deals in designer vintage, but also boasts a selection of highly curated secondhand fashion. Shoppers will find contemporary and vintage pieces such as Demna Gvsalia-era Balenciaga, ’90s Supreme and Zucca-print Fendi alongside streetwear grails by BAPE, Yohji Yamamoto and Rick Owens.
Rebag
If you’re in the market for an investment purse, whether it be a Prada Saffiano bag or a Bottega Veneta Pouch, look no further than Rebag. Though its retail locations have closed in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Rebag app offers hundreds of pre-vetted designer handbags. Further encouraging sustainable consumption, Rebag provides up to an 80 percent credit on bags that are purchased on the platform and sold back within a year.
StockX
It goes without saying that StockX is a go-to for all your sneaker needs, but you may not realize that the app also sells secondhand streetwear, handbags and watches. StockX’s streetwear selection includes plenty of YEEZY, KITH and Palace while the app’s lineup of accessories features finds by Off-White™, Gucci and other luxury designers.
Vestiaire Collective
A global buying and selling platform for vintage and secondhand fashion, Vestiaire Collective has made a name for itself as one of the most trusted resale apps. Besides clothing and accessories, Vestiaire Collective also sells luxury lifestyle items like Cartier pens, Hermès tableware and Supreme-branded objects. The app even offers a 10 percent discount for student shoppers.
Wardrobe
A New York-specific clothing rental app, Wardrobe taps into the closets of the city’s most stylish inhabitants and lends their wares — think Dior Saddle bags, statement Gucci heels and Valentino eveningwear — at prices drastically lower than retail. If you’re looking to work from home in style or turn heads at a future event, shoppers can rent, say, a Chanel dress for $92.45 USD for 4 days.
What Vintage Clothes Sell Best?
The rarer the clothing, the higher the cost. Nonetheless, vintage clothing can be worn and reworn, sold and resold, over and over. If you are wondering which clothing items are the most popular, here are the top five most wanted vintage clothing items.
1. Denimwear
From the forties to the eighties, vintage denim is super in demand right now: dresses, skirts, shirts, jeans, and, of course, jackets. Even quirky denim vests can get the nod right now. All denim items are hot, but if you want an item that is unique or rare, you might have to pay top dollar.
Even damaged jackets are going for as high as fifty dollars, so pieces in excellent condition can definitely relieve you of a couple hundred dollars. Pre-eighties and eighties pieces seem to be what’s on top of most vintage denim lists right now, especially Levi’s, but the most expensive are fifties Levi’s – one recently sold for over a thousand dollars!
2. Bohemian and Hippy Chic
These styles may have went out of fashion for a bit, but they’ve came back with a blast! Vintage clothing from the late sixties and early seventies has a huge following right now. These looks can easily be incorporated into current boho chic looks, adding a vintage air to the entire outfit. Unfortunately, these pieces are also hard to find because they sell so quickly.
The prices range from small amounts to larger sums, but mostly all are affordable. Check out your local charity clothing shops after people have had time to “spring clean;” it’s one of the best time to find good vintage clothing deals. There are shops that have new vintage boho as well.
3. Sixties Mod Dresses
Whether solid colored block mini dresses or graphic print, these sixties-era dresses can be found for as little as twenty dollars and rarely more than a hundred. However, some rarer mod dresses can go for more, especially if they’re designer brands.
4. Silk Shawls
Not only can a silk shawl add a little something to a dull outfit, they just feel so good. Coming from the Victorian era, silk shawls are one of the few items that still get top prices. Depending on the condition, the embroidery, and craftsmanship, many of these types of shawls sell for fifty to a hundred dollars (and sometimes even more!). If silk shawls are on your list, check out Etsy; several shops are dedicated to the Victorian shawl.
5. Beaded Jazz Era Dresses
Believe it or not, these types of dresses, depending on style and designer, can go for thousands of dollars. Many are looking for something unique and different for prom this year and these Jazz era dresses fit the bill.
Even though lesser known designers and even those dresses without labels are generally worth hundreds of dollars. Again, Etsy has a couple of shops dedicated to these fabulous dresses.
How do You Price Vintage Clothing?
When deciding how to price vintage clothing, sellers should consider multiple factors before placing resale value on a particular garment. Below are some of them.
1: By Era
2: By Purchase Cost
3: By Trend
4: By Quality
5: By Availability
6: By Designer
7: By Season
What is The Best Way to Sell Collectibles Online?
Since you have access to more buyers on the internet, in theory, you’ll be able to get more money. The downside to selling antiques on the internet is that the cash may not be immediate, and there is a slight learning curve.
Here are the top ways to sell antiques and collectibles online:
1. eBay
Selling antiques on eBay has been one of the go-to ways for dealers to put their collections in front of thousands of people for over two decades. You don’t need to have a business to take advantage of this site.
2. Etsy
Though Etsy started as a marketplace for handmade items, they branched off to include vintage and antique items as well.
3. Ruby Lane
Ruby Lane is arguably the most popular marketplace dedicated to antiques. Though many dealers have success on Ruby Lane, the site is highly curated, and it’s more challenging to get accepted to sell here than it is on Etsy.
4. Other Online Marketplaces
There are half a dozen other large-scale and lesser-known online marketplaces to consider selling your antiques. A simple Google search will bring up some reputable sites, but keep in mind that your exposure selling on sites like this might be less. Some other sites that allow you to sell antiques and collectibles include:
- TIAS
- Go Antiques
- Bonanza
5. Online Dealers
If you have something particular to sell, it might be worthwhile reaching out to some renowned antique dealers on the internet. Check out their website or shop policies and see what they say about buying wholesale from the public. You may only get wholesale pricing, but you will also save yourself time and listing fees in favor of an immediate sale.
6. Social Media
Facebook has an option to list items for sale on their site. Others take to places like Instagram and Twitter to seek out buyers for specialty items.
7. Specialty Sites
If you have a specialty item to sell, consider finding a specialty marketplace to either list your item or sell to a dealer. Some common sites include:
- Replacements, Ltd — Vintage dishes
- 1stdibs — High-end antiques
- Abe Books — Antique books
8. Build a Website
If antiquing has become more of a business than a hobby, consider building a website. Selling on a domain you own is smart if you have already built up a following on social media and other marketplaces like eBay or Etsy.
- Shopify
- Big Cartel
- Wordpress & Woocommerce
- Squarespace
Best Online Vintage Clothing
1. Depop
How do you shop pre-loved and vintage clothing like a pro? Use Depop’s app as a search engine for your vintage-shopping desires. Just type in what you want—no matter how niche—and watch the options roll in.
2. Beyond Retro
Based In | UK
Product Range | Adult & children’s apparel, accessories, shoes, bags
Price Range | £–££££
Beyond Retro is your UK one-stop-shop if you’re looking solely for vintage finds, especially from a company with a sustainable vision. Beyond Retro is committed to reducing, reusing, and reclaiming 10 billion items—and the brand’s practices are working.
Beyond Retro uses eco-friendly packaging and carries an upcycled Reworked collection. From the 1970s paisley blouses to the men’s Hawaiian style button-downs, the options are limitless. Plus, there’s free UK delivery for orders over £75.
3. Vestiaire Collective
Based In | Paris, France
Product Range | Adult tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, intimates, swimwear, jewelry, bags, shoes; kids
Price Range | $$–$$$$
If you’ve ever dreamed of raiding a celebrity’s closet—or simply living in the lap of luxury—Vestiaire Collective allows you to do just that. The resale store is home to over seven million members selling the most coveted luxury items.
The carefully curated catalog also offers vintage pieces from high-end designers, and every item is examined for quality and authenticity once sold. Vestiaire Collective began with one question: “Could there be a way to extend the lifespan of these beautiful pieces by bringing them back into circulation?” Now, it’s the answer.
4. Rokit
At Rokit, they handpick, clean and press each of our items with style conscious, environmentally aware vintage lovers in mind. That’s why their collection includes only the very best retro clothes and vintage fashions so you stand out from the crowd. Their online range is unrivalled, including rare vintage pieces, rare designer fashion to branded street and sportswear.
Online Vintage Thrift Store
1. Vestiaire Collective
- Type: luxury
- Average price: $350
- Popular brands: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Dior
- Country: worldwide
- Can you sell on Vestiaire Collective? Yes.
Vestiare Collective is a platform for buying and selling pre-loved luxury fashion. You buy directly from other people, but the items are first authenticated by Vestiaire. If you find an item you love, you should check out the seller’s vestiaire (the other items they’re selling) because usually, they have more items in the same style.
2. ThredUP
- Type: contemporary
- Average price: $34
- Popular brands: Free People, Lululemon, Madewell, Nike, Patagonia
- Country: United States, Canada
- Can you sell on ThredUP? You can consign with ThredUP if you live in the United States.
ThredUP is great for unexpensive, contemporary clothing, and I would be honestly surprised if you didn’t find anything you like in its online shop. ThredUP also have a super convenient consignment service to help you rehome your old clothes.
3. eBay
- Type: contemporary
- Average price: $44
- Popular brands: Anthropologie, Nike, Free People, Lululemon, Levi’s
- Country: worldwide
- Can you sell on eBay? Yes.
eBay has a huge selection of clothes. Plus, you can bid on auctions which can be extra thrilling. Just make sure to pay attention to the shipping cost of the item because long-distance shipping can be very expensive! It’s probably better to shop locally and filter by country!
4. The RealReal
- Type: luxury
- Average price: $188
- Popular brands: Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, Prada
- Country: international shipping from the US
- Can you sell on The RealReal? You can consign with The RealReal and earn up to 85% of the selling price of your items.
The RealReal is another online shop for second-hand designer clothing and accessories everybody needs to know about. They sell on a consignment basis, meaning that people send in their clothes and when they’re sold, they get a percentage of the price. The RealReal only accepts the most stylish items which makes shopping on their site so convenient… And addictive…
5. Na Nin Vintage
- Type: vintage
- Average price: $73
- Popular brands: vintage brands
- Country: international shipping from the US
- Can you sell on Na Nin? No.
Na Nin Vintage is a curated online vintage shop that only sells Instagram-worthy clothes. Na Nin Vintage items are of extremely high quality, super stylish, and fairly priced.
Best Online Vintage Furniture Stores
Etsy
Yes, your favorite place to buy handmade, personalized gifts is also a treasure trove of antiques and vintage pieces. Head to the site’s vintage section, select the furniture category, and then you can browse by room—living room furniture, dining room furniture, bedroom furniture, and office furniture are all options.
eBay
This should come as no surprise, but everyone’s favorite auction site is a great destination for vintage furniture, especially if you have specific pieces you’re looking for. Browse the site (or search by keywords like “vintage” or “antique” or even by decade) to see what’s out there, and get bidding.
One Kings Lane
Along with tons of contemporary, high-end furniture and decor, One Kings Lane has a vintage section online where you can find all sorts of coveted pieces. Search by your favorite styles, like French Parlor, Cape Cod Cottage, English Library, and more.
Jayson Home
Jayson Home doesn’t just sell antiques and vintage furniture, but the Flea section of the site has a small-but-mighty collection to offer in both furniture and decor. Look at the pieces that have just arrived, or shop by type (tables, seating, case goods, rugs, etc.) There’s even a fun “Curiosities” category full of delightfully unique items.
Rejuvenation
The team at Rejuvenation doesn’t just sell antiques and vintage furniture from every historical style, they restore them, too. You’ll find seating, tables, and case goods in a range of styles that you can narrow your search by, or you can shop by room if you prefer.
Chairish
When you head to Chairish’s vintage and used furniture section, you’ll find more than 85,000 (eighty five! thousand!) results to browse through. Narrow by price, style (Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency, Art Deco, and more) and even search for items that are available for local pickup near you.
Vintage Inspired Clothing Brands
One of the best ways to refresh your wardrobe is by introducing pieces that, while new, look vintage. Style recycles itself. Each season on the runways and in the streets, we see outfits and pieces that nod to decades, celebrities and trends that were prominent in the past. There are so many retro-style clothing brands, but not very many of them capture past moments, looks and visual details without being too campy.
Parisian Youth: Bricktown
Here’s one for the boys — but all of the pieces are unisex. Bricktown is a Paris-based label that draws inspiration from the founder’s youth. Think elevated, minimalist skater, with a French twist. The designs reference the ‘90s and the aughts. The T-shirts and hoodies bring old-school technology and a sense of tasteful humor to the contemporary market.
A few of our favorite pieces from one of our ‘90s inspired brands? We love the simplicity of this graphic tee. And, since in 2020 we’re focusing on financial abundance amongst other things, we can’t not point out this hoodie. The message is simple, if we work for it — money is coming.
A Gentle Breeze: THE GREAT
One of the greatest ‘70s-inspired brands is THE GREAT. Think a palette of subdued tones — moss, beige, peach and washed out florals, laid-back bell-bottoms and graphic sweatshirts.
The designers, Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, first took the denim world by storm with the label Current/Elliott (speaking of throwbacks!). They’ve since founded THE GREAT, which emphasizes their love and appreciation for everything Americana. The line is full of breezy, easy-to-wear staples that are feminine and laid back.
Swing into this blouse — it’s perfect for making daisy chains in a field, as we like to imagine that one would’ve done in the 1970s. We also love this smocked midi dress — it’s a great way to add a dose of vintage style to your weekend lineup, as it’s romantic, sweet and ready for an impromptu picnic at the park.
Sk8er Boi: The People Vs.
The People Vs. makes high-quality, vintage-inspired grunge streetwear. Picture ‘90s New York skater boys. The easy-going, unisex pieces are inspired by art, music and surf. We love this psychedelic tee that pays homage to the ‘60s with a touch of ‘90s grunge (check that deconstructed detail on the back hem).
This denim jacket looks vintage due to its distressing. We love denim jackets because they’ve been a staple of fashion at some point so many decades of the past (the first denim jacket came to be in 1880!)
Fairy-Tale Ending: LoveShackFancy
LoveShackFancy makes whimsical, fairy-tale-like, super-feminine and romantic pieces that are inspired by vintage finds and by travel. The label once exclusively made bridesmaid dresses, and quickly evolved into a broad collection of intricate, ethereal pieces that are great staple pieces for vacations, weekends and date nights. We consider them to be one of the best ‘60s-inspired brands and ‘80s-inspired brands in our collection.
This metallic mini instantly takes us back to the ‘80s with its short puff sleeves and dance-floor ready sheen. And our favorite piece in the collection? This dress. It’s perfect for nights out that call for cocktails, dinner and dancing. It’s dressy enough for weddings and parties, but it can also be easily dressed down. We love the metallic details and the flouncy, flirty tiers.
From Japan with Love: Moussy Vintage
The Japan-based Moussy Vintage is a multi-decade, and especially ‘80s-inspired brand who makes vintage-inspired designs and of-the-moment silhouettes, making them a favorite amongst thrift-lovers and fashion mavens alike, all around the world. It designs clean, classic pieces that make for reliable, well-made wardrobe staples.
Their cult styles nod to classic menswear, but have feminine fits. The result? Vintage-inspired pieces for the modern woman’s wardrobe. This classic white T-shirt is a closet must-have, and we love these simple, dark-wash jeans. The possibilities for outfits, using pieces from the Moussy Vintage collection, are endless.
Vintage Clothing Online Canada
1. eBay Canada
As one of the world’s largest and most trusted marketplaces, facilitating thousands of consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales daily, eBay is a great place to begin your vintage search. Giving you access to a plethora of products from all over the globe (including small boutiques you wouldn’t have access to otherwise), eBay has many features that help you navigate the site with ease.
For example, you can follow your favourite sellers to see when they post new items or look up past buyer feedback. “We instill a lot of technology and sophisticated tools that we use to help detect any kind of fraudulent activity,” explains eBay Canada’s head of communications Camille Kowalewski.
On top of pre-emptive measures the company takes in order to ensure you receive high quality and accurately described products, they also provide a money-back guarantee—basically, eBay’s got your back.
2. Consign Toronto
Having a Toronto warehouse, two physical stores, as well as an online website, Consign Toronto is dedicated to providing you with curated vintage products that are all good quality and authenticated. Dag Larsen, the owner and founder of Consign Toronto, reveals that the site also provides many benefits for the user: “a code for your first order, a monthly flash sale or bi-weekly edits”.
Not editing the colour or condition of the products they post, you can also be sure that what you see is what you’ll get. “If there are scuffs and marks on the products, you will see those in the photos,” Larsen admits. “It doesn’t make for the most beautiful website, but it does allow for accuracy and total transparency.”
3. Black Market Clothing
Black Market Clothing has been a Toronto fixture since the early 80’s. Originally catered to a niche Toronto market of punk rockers, OCAD students, musicians and artists, Black Market Clothing has grown to be the best place in Toronto for everything vintage.
Read Also: Top 11 Best Websites For Graphic Designers to Make Money
They offer dead-stock, wholesale, vintage furnishings, architectural salvage, and of course Toronto’s largest selection of vintage clothing. Black Market Vintage Clothing strives to deliver leading-edge and alternative fashion to the innovative culture-conscious customer who appreciates one-of-a-kind vintage and classic pieces at affordable prices.
4. VSP Consignment
VSP Consignment’s e-commerce website reflects the same merchandise available in their downtown Toronto brick and mortar store. The consignment shop offers tons of new arrivals coupled with sale items to accommodate your taste and budget. Something else to consider?
Unlike most consignment shops that only offer final sales for their merchandise, if you contact VSP Consignment within 24 hours of receiving your package, they are happy to provide you with store credit for full-price merchandise or to re-consign the product for you.
5. Etsy Canada
Similar to eBay, Etsy is a global marketplace connecting millions of buyers and sellers. With a whole section dedicated to vintage products, its Canadian website makes it easy for Canadians to connect with local and international sellers while also listing all prices in Canadian dollars. The vintage pieces range from super affordable finds to pricier designer goods—the options are endless!
Online Stores For Vintage Clothing
Whether you’re missing your charity shop fix or want to swap to buying more secondhand fashion, buying vintage clothing online is the answer.
Here are some favourite online stores for vintage clothing.
1. Depop
Depop is one of the biggest global online shopping communities, with over 16 million users buying and selling goods including clothing, accessories, jewellery and art.
As a fashion marketplace, you can expect to find things you love no matter what your style and the range of vintage on here really is something else.
You can spend time exploring vintage profiles and sellers, or use the app’s search engine and filter products around size, price, style and more.
2. Beyond Retro
From humble beginnings as a single warehouse-turned-retail store, Beyond Retro is now the leading vintage retailer across the UK and Sweden.
Gaining popularity for their treasure trove of vintage fashion sourced from around the globe, Beyond Retro have long made it their mission to support a lifestyle of less waste and a circular economy.
Last year alone saw them rehome 90 million items, and combined with their own up-cycled REWORKED collection, you’re sure to find something (or more likely, countless things) you’ll love here.
3. Vestiaire Collective
Founded in 2009, VestiaireCollective allows community members to ask questions about where to find rare pieces and negotiate pricing on each item sold.
What once began as a site that guarantees the authenticity of luxury bags in Paris has now bloomed into a global business with sellers in 48 countries and over 3,000 items uploaded daily to the site. Finding your dream designer bag is literally a click away.
4. Farfetch
Farfetch brings together boutiques from all over the world, including the best vintage stores. Head straight for the ‘Vintage’ section and a few carefully selected filters will lead you to your dream Prada bag, YSL sunnies or Balenciaga dress.
5. ModCloth
ModCloth is an online retailer of clothing, shoes, and accessories that caters to women of all sizes. It carries retro, hard-to-find pieces picked from small and big-name designers, as well as its own signature collection.
The brand has an outstanding 713K following on Instagram, and encourages women to express themselves by way of bold prints and flattering styles.
Love the spirit of vintage clothing? Your search for the perfect piece may have just ended. Before you start shopping, we invite you to have a read through this ModCloth dresses review.
Related Post