That one vintage handbag by Chanel, a Rolex watch you don't often come across in a shop anymore or a special evening dress by a famous Italian designer. On the second-hand circuit, you cannot only find bargains. You can also find very special second-hand designer clothes and accessories. Where can you still find these special pieces?
Vintage designer clothes and accessories browsing
It is every second-hand shopper's dream that one day you will come home with a second-hand masterpiece. That nobody saw it but you, and that for a few quid you became an amazing thrift treasure that turned out to be worth thousands of euros (or more) when you got home. Very occasionally a story still pops up in the media, often involving works of art from a thrift store that turned out to be by a famous artist such as Jan who found a famous artwork in a thrift shop in Wallonia or this American who scored a list for four dollars with a painting that turned out to be worth tons.
It will happen to you to come across something like this. But honestly, finding a real thrift store gem is rare. Nowadays, people know very well what they are selling and even thrift shops are experienced in pricing things. Assuming you're not as lucky as Jan or that American with her picture frame, you won't find that treasure overnight. But second-hand pearls are still around, just usually at a slightly different price than those few euros you were hoping for. Where should you go to find second-hand designer clothes and accessories? We list it for you: the web shops for finding vintage designer clothes and accessories!
Second-hand design at a bargain price
By the way, we do know some cool Jan-like stories through our Instagram community. Right with/about vintage designer clothes! Fashion lovers and girls/ladies with a (Vinted) shop who do find precious treasures at bargain prices. What we know from them is that they do choose to look for second-hand designer clothes in the ‘normal’ channels such as Marketplace, Vinted, Etsy, flea markets and thrift shops. With their nose for design and quality, they find gems from ‘ordinary’ sellers who don't realise (properly) what they are selling beautiful things. So it can be done, if you have a knack for it. If you are still looking for a hobby that can make money, you might want to train that nose.
Webshops for buying second-hand designer clothes
There are also webshops and marketplaces that are all about buying - and, for that matter, selling - designer stuff. So if you are looking for something special, want to get rid of something special or just love to browse through all that beautiful stuff: we take you through some webshops and marketplaces for second-hand designer clothes. What is the difference between a webshop and a marketplace? With a webshop, you buy directly from a shop and with a marketplace, you buy from (private) sellers who offer their items on sites, like Vinted and Marktplaats also work.
Important: pay close attention to what the total price of your pearl will be, as sometimes shipping costs and import duties are added. And also, the return conditions can vary from platform to platform!
- The Collectives Amsterdam: another homegrown gem. At The Collectives, you can rent or buy designer clothes online or by appointment. The Collectives Amsterdam sells (and rents) from its own collection, but individuals can also offer their clothing pearls through the platform.
- Vestiaire Collective: all designer labels under one roof. At Vestiaire Collective, you buy designer clothes and accessories from private sellers. Great: all items sold are first sent to Vestiaire for an authenticity check. Only then do you, the buyer, receive it. Nice detail is that fashion company Kering (parent company of Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta) has a stake in the company.
- The Real: luxury second-hand shopping with a handy app. Also at Real Real, all sold items are checked by experts before they send it to you.
- 1stDibs: in its own words, the leading marketplace for extraordinary design that ‘replaces the magic of the flea market in Paris’. Clothing, jewellery, watches, as well as art and furniture can be found here under one roof. You buy from the best sellers and galleries, as they are carefully selected or admitted.
- Depop: the place to be for people with unique tastes. Here you will find unusual second-hand garments that fit different subcultures. As a result, it is broader than classic designer items. Just take a look and you'll understand the vibe. Items are sold by private sellers.
- Prlved: marketplace (with app) for buying and selling second-hand designer fashion and vintage fashion. This site is known in Germany (country of foundation) as Mädchenflohmarkt.
- Shrimpton Couture: vintage designer dresses that could be straight out of a Hollywood film. Name a film or a period and they have that dress. This is really a webshop, so not a marketplace by private sellers like the previous tips.
- Dora Maar: an online shop with heaps of luxury second-hand fashion. Clothes, shoes, handbags, you name it. So this is also a webshop.
- What goes around comes around: we're repeating ourselves a bit, but this too is an online shop (not a marketplace) with lots of splendour.
- Rebag: As the name suggests, you can find very special bags here, but this webshop also sells many other beautiful things like second-hand designer clothes, accessories, jewellery, watches and shoes.
Your favourite shop for second-hand designer clothes?
Hopefully this list has helped you discover some cool new addresses. Speaking of addresses... Do you know a nice shop in the Netherlands that sells vintage or second-hand designer clothes and/or accessories (online)? Please let us know! We would love to compile a list of the best shops in the Netherlands that are worth a visit. You can find the contact buttons at the bottom of this page!
More sustainable fashion tips from thegreenlist.nl
- A long, long list of sustainable fashion brands and shops. Have?
- Pearls at a bargain price with these thrift shop tips.
- Looking for gems on Vinted? So you can find second-hand gems from Dutch Vinted sellers faster.
- Styling tips from a pro: how to get more out of your own wardrobe!
Sources: Harpers Bazaar, Vogue. Photo credits Pexels: main image: Michael Burrows (left), Yulia Malushko (centre) & Leeloo The First (right), others: cottonbro studio (red suit), EVG Kowalievska (shoes), Dmitry Zvolskiy (jewellery).
