4 Vintage Shopping Experts Just Told Me What’s on Their Wish Lists

I get it—secondhand and vintage shopping isn’t for everyone, but for me, it’s a real treat. I’ve found loads of bargains, including a £15 Aquascutum jacket, a £110 classic Burberry trench coat and an embroidered cardigan that French influencer and Rouje founder Jeanne Damas even complimented me on. I also religiously live in vintage sportswear, and I still wear the checked shirt that I bought for £3 from the Salvation Army charity shop 11 years ago. Before the pandemic, I genuinely loved nothing more than browsing my favourite retro clothing shops. But right now, I have to settle for the digital options available, and thankfully, they are plentiful. From Etsy and eBay to Vestiaire Collective and Oxfam’s online store, there are many virtual places to go to for pre-loved items.

This month, many people in the fashion world are celebrating Secondhand September: a commitment to solely buying pre-owned items for 30 days. Not only is Secondhand September a great way to make your wardrobe unique, but it’s one of the best ways to dress sustainably. I know that finding the coolest vintage and secondhand pieces can be tough, so I asked four experts to give me their wish lists in the hope of inspiring others to shop secondhand this month.

First, I asked Franny Fyne, who founded a vintage shop in Paris and is known for wearing the coolest retro shirts. I also spoke to Sara Brown, who has a real eye for bold colours and knows where to find brilliant plus-size vintage pieces. Next, I turned to Emma Slade Edmondson, who we featured in Best Wardrobes in Britain last year. And finally, I asked Who What Wear’s Shopping Editor Joy Montgomery what she’s after right now. (She also loves finding a bargain.) I have quite a few secondhand pieces on my wish list right now, so I’ve included a few of my own picks, too. Keep scrolling for all the best vintage and secondhand pieces, and get inspired to participate in Secondhand September.