You know the great thing about well-made clothing? It lasts. It can be loved, passed on, and find an adoring new home with limited wear and tear. High quality reproduction vintage is expensive – and rightly so. However, it’s not always possible for everyone to buy a wardrobe full of brand new reproduction pieces from high quality brands like those featured on this blog. Being a Disability Pensioner, I understand how challenging it can be to make more environmentally friendly, slow fashion choices when money is tight and thrifting isn’t a viable option. I know some of us feel like we’re excluded from this community because our situations or priorities are different, but vintage style is for everyone, and slow fashion should not be exclusionary. No one should feel like they cannot participate in both if they wish to do so.
Many of my favourite garments that appear on this blog have actually come pre-loved from other vintage dames around the world. From wool winter jackets, blouses in highly sort after prints, to knitwear that I simply couldn’t afford at new prices – other vintage folks’ wardrobe clear-outs are treasure troves bursting with stunning pieces that, thanks to the fact they were constructed to last decades, can be found in near-new condition for more budget-friendly prices. You just need to know where to look.
As we approach the festive season and mass-produced retail giants advertise their enormous pre-Christmas sales, I wanted to share with you some of the places I look for pre-loved pieces from my favourite repro brands. Now, obviously it requires some patience (which is a strength I do not possess without a substantial amount of grumbling), but I watch and wait in the hope that the clothing of my dreams becomes available. I haven’t purchased through all of these people or groups listed below – this list is to get you started if you’re new to it and isn’t intended to replace good ol’ buyers’ due diligence.
In all honesty, I loathe Facebook. One of the best mental health decisions I ever made was to delete my Facebook account several years ago. Recently however, I have rejoined (sort of) for the Buy Swap Sell groups. If you’re like me and detest the platform, I set up an account under my Instagram name @BrightonBacall and have a note up saying I don’t use my profile – which I NEVER WILL – and simply stalk the groups below for all of the delicious pre-loved and ‘new with tags’ deals. I’d never recommend that someone who isn’t on the platform join, but … this is what I do. Below I’ve listed my favourite Buy Swap Sell groups, if you know of any others please leave a comment below!
I Have A Vivien of Holloway Dress And I Love To Wear It
Miss Candyfloss Buy, Swap, and Sell
Freddies of Pinewood: Men/Women 2nd Hand Buy & Sell Internationally
Rocket Originals: Men/Women 2nd Hand Buy & Sell Internationally
I have thought about starting my own Walker Slater Buy Swap Sell page, for purely selfless reasons … all of the tweed … and I’d also love to see groups for Australian vintage inspired brands like Elise Design and Charlie Stone Shoes.
Many of our favourite vintage Instagram accounts either have semi-regular sales of pieces they don’t wear or have separate selling accounts. Some of these ladies are models for the brands or are influencers, but there are also many regular vintage enthusiasts who list their preloved pieces on Instagram. Here’s a short list of accounts I regularly stalk for pretty vintage clothing, accessories and shoes. The majority of the accounts listed below are ladies with sizes UK/AU 6-10, but you are sure to find folks in your size who sell pieces through instagram. If you have recommendations that aren’t listed here, please leave a comment down below!
Scarlett Sells Vintage – For Sale account of @ScarlettDevey
Gobbleknoll Vintage Sells – For Sale account of Stacey @Gobbleknoll_Vintage
Death By Deco Sales – For Sale account of @death_by_deco (see also her For Sale Highlight)
Land Girl Crochet – Emily’s shoes though…
Lana40s – Lana has a For Sale Highlight
HollandschMeisje – Patries has a For Sale Highlight
The Lana Leigh – Lana has a For Sale Highlight
GingerLu – Lu has a Selling Highlight
Call Me Lucille – often lists both reproduction and true vintage pieces for sale in her stories
Miss BeeTown Wardrobe – For Sale account of @MissBeeTownsend
Miss Lark Bahar’s Closet – For Sale account of @MissLarkBahar
Brighton Bacall Wardrobe – I occasionally sell pieces that I have ordered from the UK and don’t fit. Rather than return them to the other side of the world, I’ll list them here as ‘worn once’ or ‘brand new with tags’ for reduced prices. As my style evolves I also sell 1950s repro pieces and the odd 1940s style dress I don’t wear anymore. I usually share them to my main account’s stories too. I must admit I’ve been pretty lazy with it recently, and now have a rather large pile of clothes ready to add once I can visit the Post Office again!
Whether it’s for yourself or for someone you love, I hope that this helps you find pieces that will be loved and worn for years, for prices that work with your budget. If you have reproduction clothing you never wear and want to free up your wardrobe, why not put a big smile on another vintage lover’s face by listing it for sale, and pass it on to someone who will cherish it!
Stay safe, love and hugs to you and yours. BB x
Ok, so there IS a Charlie Stone Buy Swap Sell group! It’s called “Charlie Stone Shoes BSS and Discussion Page” and can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/551257388882172/