The Benefits of Vintage
A recent trend is vintage — or secondhand clothing, furniture, and accessories. Whether it's for the curated look, sustainability, or simply for the thrill of hunting down an unexpected find, there are many reasons to add some vintage pieces to your collection.
Vintage isn't just for collectors and repurposers, it can also be found on the fashion runways. In fact, when British brand Connolly wanted to do something different during the lockdown, they turned to Portobello Market stallholder and fashion stylist Frank Akinsete to curate and upcycle vintage pieces to create a dip-dyed capsule collection that was both of its time and forever cool.
Akinsete's sartorial sensibility is what makes him such a well-known figure in the world of vintage. He's a true aficionado, and his knack for finding quality pieces in every style from the '40s to the present day allows him to pull together looks that are both timeless and totally on point. In turn, his clientele is growing — and it's not just people who are shopping for fashion but also for a sense of history.
One of the greatest benefits of shopping vintage is that it reduces the amount of new clothes that end up in landfills. According to the EPA, about 10 million tons of non-durable textile waste is put into the trash each year, including things like old clothing and linens. Buying pre-owned clothing is a great way to cut down on this waste, and by purchasing vintage pieces, you're helping support recycling and reselling programs.
The other major benefit of shopping vintage is that you're supporting local shops and the economy. In addition to helping to keep local communities strong and vibrant, buying locally-made products reduces the amount of pollution caused by transportation. This is especially true when you buy vintage items from independent sellers who are often small business owners.
When you shop vintage, you can also try out styles that might be outside of your comfort zone, allowing you to discover a new side to your personal style. This is important, because it will help you understand what you love and why — and will make it easier to identify the kinds of vintage pieces you should be on the hunt for.
While there aren't any hard and fast rules when it comes to what qualifies as vintage, the current resale marketplace has some top-selling items that are worth scouring flea markets or estate sales for. Home decor items sell well on Etsy, clothing is a popular category for sites like ThredUp and Vinted, and older toys, books, and artwork are always in demand on eBay. With the right research, you can find a whole new world of treasures that will enhance your collection and make for unique gifts for friends and family. Just be sure to follow COVID-19 guidelines when browsing.