Ahead of the Vogue Vintage Sale on 29 March, co-hosted by Jorja Smith and Iris Law and presented by eBay, Vogue is celebrating all things pre-loved. Not all vintage treasures are rare designer pieces loaded with fashion lore: from a perfectly worn leather jacket uncovered in a thrift store to a slogan tee sourced online, pre-loved items can (and should) be a key player in every modern wardrobe.
In the 12 years I’ve been working in fashion journalism, it feels as though there’s not been a single 12-month period where something fundamental in the industry’s foundations hasn’t shifted – whether it’s the digitisation of glossy magazines or the dawn of the influencer, the rapid rise and fall of major e-commerce players or, of course, the ripple effects of a three-year global pandemic. It’s been a real rollercoaster ride, let me tell you. But one area that has experienced one of the most radical transformations – for the better – is the second-hand fashion market.
Of course, there are individuals, such as ex-Vogue editor Bay Garnett, who have long championed vintage in mainstream editorial (who can forget the $5 thrifted banana-print top that Garnett styled on Kate Moss in a 2003 British Vogue editorial shot by Juergen Teller, which went on to inspire Phoebe Philo’s famous print for Chloé?) However, as someone who spent much of the 2010s writing vintage shopping stories, it’s been remarkable to see how it’s gone from a “nice to have” to a genuine profit-making venture with a number of global players (eBay, Vinted and Vestiaire Collective, to name a few). And that’s not to mention the ever-expanding consumer-base – many under the age of 30 – who now consider second-hand to be first choice. In fact, according to ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report, the global second-hand fashion market is expected to reach $367 billion (£284 billion) by 2029 and is growing almost three times faster than the overall global fashion market.
Well, it may or may not come as a surprise to some that the Vogue team are nothing but obsessive consumers of second-hand fashion. While popular culture might tell you that magazine editors swan around in just-out-of-the-box Manolo Blahniks and new-season Prada jackets, the reality is that the level of nerdiness around archival fashion is off the charts and the art of squirrelling out a preloved bargain is one held in the highest regard – even if it means losing hours of your life in an eBay scroll hole (an ailment for which there is no cure). Each editor has their own unique second-hand shopping strategies – many of which require military-grade planning (you can read all the team’s tips here) – and little black books filled with lesser-known vintage hotspots, the knowledge of which can only be accessed by the closest of confidants.
But with the launch of Vogue’s April vintage issue, we asked the editors to give us a glimpse into their wardrobes and share the one vintage buy that they treasure the most and, most importantly, where they sourced it (we don’t want to gatekeep, after all). From Balenciaga City bags to unbranded barn jackets, scroll down to see and shop the team’s favourite vintage finds of all time.
Shop Vogue’s Vintage Sale from 9am on the 29 March, replenished weekly for a month. Sign up to the Vogue Shopping newsletter and IG broadcast channel for new drop alerts. Happy shopping!
Rosa Weait, fashion assistant
This bag is the most recent addition to my wardrobe, and possibly my favourite. I’ve been on the hunt for a pink vintage Balenciaga bag for about a year (and have never found the right one), until last month, when my mum sent me a photo of one hanging in the shop window of a little vintage shop back home. Immediately I wanted it, but the shop was shut, so she went back for me a couple of days later, hoping it was still there. The shop was closing down and the stock was all packed away, so at first glance it seemed the bag was gone, but after some rummaging it was found, and after a FaceTime call, I became its proud new owner. I’ve already used the bag everyday since: it fits all my daily essentials and adds some fun to my otherwise simple everyday outfits. It’s perfect for both the office and a fun night out.
Laura Ingham, deputy director, global fashion network
From the moment I saw this Dior bar jacket on the runway, I knew it was something truly special. I bought it as an investment piece, and over time, it’s proven to be a timeless addition to my wardrobe. The concept of future vintage – investing in exceptional craftsmanship and quality design that endures for a lifetime, and can be passed down through generations – is something that resonates with me.
Charlotte Rutter, fashion assistant
It was a Sunday afternoon and I was enjoying one of my favourite pastimes – watching old Prada runways on YouTube – when I clicked on the autumn/winter 1995 show and immediately fell in love with these little yellow heels the models were wearing. I took a screenshot and manifested. When I went on Vinted later that day and saw my now beloved ’90s canary-yellow Prada mules for sale in my size, I knew it was destiny. These collections are some of my favourite to look back on and reference, so I love that now a little piece of that history is in my own wardrobe.
Lois Adeoshun, fashion assistant
A few years back, I attended the Frock Me vintage fair in Chelsea and managed to source my beloved Gucci Bamboo ring canvas brown bag from a charming seller called D’oro Vintage. The moment I laid eyes on it, I knew it was a treasure. I love the bamboo details and how effortlessly it elevates any casual outfit, whether I pair it with casual jeans and a cool T-shirt, or a little black dress for an evening out. The vintage condition of the bag simply adds an extra layer of character and nostalgia.
Mia Portet, shopping producer
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I had to check I wasn’t in some kind of fever dream when I found this Noughties Galliano J’Adore Dior tank for the small sum of £21 back in 2017. eBay wasn’t quite as glamorous as it is now (think misspelled brand names and strange auction end times), but all the hard work was worth it when it was met with the thrill of stumbling across a vintage gem, such as this tank top, and for that I am forever grateful. Styling wise, I find myself leaning into the top’s Y2K origins and pairing it with cargo pants or vintage denim and mixed prints to match the tank’s playful colour-blocking details. As with most colourful wardrobe pieces, it really comes into its own in the warmer months, so now is its time to shine.
Naomi Smart, shopping director
I had been obsessing about Prada’s barn jacket ever since it debuted on the spring/summer 2024 runway, but I needed to find a more affordable version. I had been sourcing for months and was about to give up, until I stumbled across the perfect version imaginable in a vintage shop in Venice. Made from a worn-in biscuit leather, with chocolate-brown lapels and an oversized fit, it was clearly a good 20 to 30 years old, but had obviously been so loved and looked after. Plus, it was only €150 (£125). Sold! I threw the jacket I was wearing straight into my bag and wore its replacement straight out of the shop.
Joy Montgomery, shopping editor
From aged 13 to 33, I have always been someone who loves an unbranded vintage bargain, so you know when I take the plunge with a designer investment piece that it’s going to be something special. Well, that something special came along in the form of this beautiful Raf Simons for Christian Dior spring/summer 2014 coat, which I discovered at Reluxe’s vintage pop-up on Golborne Road last year. I’ve always loved Simons’s designs, but this collection hit just as I was graduating from university and being exposed to the big bad world of fashion for the first time – for me, it will always remind me of the beauty, craftsmanship and transcendence that fashion can offer, and the excitement of experiencing it for the first time. A real piece of fashion history.
Alice Cary, senior shopping writer
I never thought I’d embrace a “Fight For This Love”-esque jacket in my adult life, but when I saw this vintage cropped style on a rail at the Soho pop-up for Parisian boutique, Nuovo, I was sold. I’ve favoured slouchier silhouettes throughout my twenties, so it was nice to welcome a more fitted style into my wardrobe – a silhouette that echoes the vintage pieces that inspired Kate Moss’s Topshop collections – that can be worn as either a jacket or a top.
Julia Storm, contributing shopping writer
This Burberry coat carries a lot of history in its checked lining. Originally bought by my grandma (who just turned 100!), it was passed down to my mum about 15 years ago and has recently taken up home in my weekly rotation. While it’s, of course, precious to me, I also believe a coat is meant to be worn, and not sat gathering dust at the back of a wardrobe. I wear it for all kinds of occasions, whether it’s on long walks with my dog or casually thrown over whatever I’m wearing to the office. It even looks great draped over a party dress. The subtle sheen of the khaki adds a different dimension to the fabric, giving this timeless coat a modern edge.
