Hear me out: mums on Vinted sell the best pieces. Vinted is marketed as a way of selling second-hand items, and do you know who's watching those adverts on TV? Mums. You can click on one of their accounts, and whilst viewing their whole wardrobe clear-out, you will see a pair of Apple bottom jeans listed at £5. Don’t get me wrong, they may not be the best quality pictures, maybe with an accidental toe or two in the corner, but be assured this is where the real gems are.
If you're on the hunt for genuine vintage clothes, my top tip is to steer clear of terms like ‘vintage,’ ‘retro,’ and ‘y2k’ in your searches. Many sellers have caught onto the growing interest in vintage styles, which drives up prices. For example, when you search for ‘y2k,’ you’ll likely find a lot of items from fast-fashion sites like Romwe and Shein that mimic the aesthetic but aren’t truly authentic. Instead, using more general or specific descriptions of the styles you want can lead you to better deals and true vintage pieces without the inflated price tag that comes with those trendy keywords.
TikTok is an amazing platform for finding new brands.
This leads me to my next point: instead, search for specific vintage or discontinued brands. As these brands were popular before my time, I did my research on TikTok, where I found numerous great clothing brands such as Jane Norman and Miss Sixty. TikTok is an amazing platform for finding new brands, and users tend to have lists of brands for different items, such as the best brands for shoes or the best brands for baggy jeans.
Here's a pro tip: the more items you like, the more the app's algorithm will learn about your preferences and recommend similar brands and styles. Even if you're not planning to purchase an item, if there are aspects you like such as the brand, the price, or the silhouette, it's worth favouriting. These factors will then influence your new recommendations page, making your shopping experience more tailored and efficient.
Happy bargain-hunting!