From pre-loved to loved, these are the vintage finds we now can’t live without …
All products featured on thegloss.ie are selected by our editors. If you buy something through affiliate links on our site we may earn a commission.
Penny McCormick, Contributing Editor
My mother often calls me “Second Hand Rose” such is my passion for collecting vintage treasures. What started in my late teens as a love of buying antique china (especially biscuit barrels, swans and floral vases) has morphed into the joy of finding preloved clothing items, often for a song.
Some of my favourite finds include a gorgeous astrakhan coat picked up at a flea market in Paris, a Bruce Oldfield sequin jacket (found in Greyabbey, Co Down, which is famous for its antiques shops) and a vintage wedding dress in Cambridge, UK. I hope to dye the latter and wear as a maxi cocktail dress at some point. I also can spend hours online lusting after vintage pieces I spy on eBay, Thriftify and Vestiaire.
The most recent piece I bought was a red satin blouse from a charity shop in Holywood, Co Down. It’s a great spot for charity shops and culinary offerings, so make a day of it and book Noble House, Fontana or Frae restaurants if visiting.
I’ve been on a bit of a quest to source satin blouses in various colours as they are so versatile for wearing with jeans, or velvet trousers to channel Tom Ford’s aesthetic, especially his iconic Gucci collection. I hope to wear the blouse, which I got for a steal at only €7 with its original tag still on, over the festive period. I feel better for knowing I have also contributed to a favourite charity, Marie Curie.
Sarah Halliwell, Beauty Editor
The most recent vintage item I bought was an oversized pinstripe jacket by Yves Saint Laurent in the men’s section of a Paris charity shop, La Ressourcerie d’Apprentis d’Auteuil, in the 16th. It was definitely worth spending a bit of time rummaging – I think it was around €30. I wear it with everything, particularly jeans and Doc Martens, and the fabric is much better quality than modern versions.
I’ve always been a dedicated wearer of pre-loved or vintage – which was just called second-hand back in the ’80s! As teenagers, we spent hours hunting for “old men’s coats” and white dress shirts in Priestleys of York (still going all these years later, with an online store of carefully collected items), as well as random treasures unearthed anywhere from car boot and jumble sales to charity shops.
My 17-year-old is a savvy, environmentally-friendly shopper and favours Flip Clothing of Temple Bar for their own-brand jeans, or you can often find a good pair of Levi’s there, plus a good selection of coats, military-style jackets and knitwear.
As for online vintage shopping, my neighbour swears by Vestiaire Collective, and is always wearing something fabulous and pre-loved from labels such as Alaia and Commes des Garcons. www.priestleysvintage.co.uk
Patricia Marinho, Art Director
One of my best friends runs a vintage shop called @antonietavintage in São Paulo, Brazil, where she always discovers amazing finds at local church bazaars. When I saw this dress for sale in her shop, I knew I had to have it. It’s such a simple dress and not a special brand by any means, but I absolutely adore it. It has been one of the most affordable pieces I’ve ever purchased, yet I reserve it for the most special occasions. I’ve worn it on a party night during a solo trip to Buenos Aires in Argentina, to a cruise ship dinner in Brazil, and even to play my first gig with my band in Dublin! I have a feeling this dress will stay with me for many more special moments to come.
SEE MORE: Where to Buy Second-hand Luxury Fashion and Accessories in Ireland
Rachel Healy, Digital Editor
I’ve been a fan of vintage shopping since my secondary school days years ago, when I would get the bus from Dundalk to Dublin on weekends to loot for treasure in Temple Bar’s many vintage shops.
I also loved thrift shopping when I lived in Vancouver, where you can find anything from clothes to furniture. Apartments in Canada come unfurnished – which many of us naïve Irish immigrants weren’t aware of – so we bought second-hand couches, etc., and hired an industrial cleaner to deep-clean the cushions and fabric. Canadians love a good yard sale, or else leave items outside for passersby to take. We found a table and chairs that way!
I donated most of our stuff in a smiliar fashion before coming home and shipped the rest. However, my style has changed a lot since my 20s and 30s – as tends to happen – so I’ve donated a lot more since then to stores like TK Maxx and H&M, or I try to repair minor damage with my local tailor (or mum). Hopefully, she’ll pass me down her sewing machine and I’ll finally put some of my Home Ec. knowledge to good use.
As a mum to two young kids, I don’t have time to shop as much as I’d like in person and – like most of us – I appreciate an online bargain, so I can often be found browsing Depop when the kids are in bed. It’s so easy to use and there’s no fuss. I’m currently waiting on a like-new snakeskin puffer jacket from Zara I bought there for €40 when the temperature dropped, so the anticipation of the package arriving and seeing if it fits is half the enjoyment!
I’m also part of several WhatsApp swaps groups, which are amazing to help the community and circular economy.
Amy McDonnell, Assistant Digital Editor
I can’t resist a good charity or vintage shop and I try to shop second-hand as much as I can. I could spend the day filing through racks looking for a one-of-a-kind find. I have a special penchant for coats and jackets because, when it comes to pre-loved clothes shopping, one size often does not fit all – but you will have more of a chance with coats.
I love a statement jacket, so one of my best buys is from a St Vincent’s charity shop in Dublin. It is a non-branded puffa coat that I got for €5. When I wore it in Florence not so long ago, I even matched the adorned ceilings and walls of the Palazzo Pitti! It has a Versace-esque look to it, red with gold patterning, and I love it.
One of my favourite finds is a Perry Landhaus wool round-neck bomber (of sorts) that I found in the Wornwell vintage section of Penneys. I saw it on the mannequin one day, went away, thought about it and then had to come back. Each button is unique and it is so easy to style, I can wear it with anything. It’s so cosy, too.
SEE MORE: A Guide To Buying A Preloved Designer Handbag For The New Season
