If I have the choice, I would always chose shopping IRL. For one, vintage sizing can tricky and not to mention deceptive, turns out they were much smaller back then… but I also love the slow paced nature of vintage shopping and the ambiguity of how the day will turn out. The hunt for gold requires patience and concentration, so much so I find the whole process wildly indulgent. Saved only for days that can be totally and entirely dedicated to this most precious of activities. But when weekends fill up weeks in advance and we simply don’t have the time to aimlessly wander around the streets of London trawling for vintage treasure, I turned loyally to my favourite preloved platforms.

Below I have summarised our 6 favourite vintage finds of 2022, staples that I truly can’t live without and that have become the foundation to my vintage wardrobe. I have then curated a list of similar pieces from original preloved players; Ebay, Vinted, Depop and Rokit so the looks can be recreated.

THE BIKER

The classic of all classics, the vintage biker jacket. The perfect staple piece that IMO should always and only be vintage. It should have belonged to your dad. Or someone’s dad, who momentarily rebelled and thought he was a rocker for a moment in time. Only for him to lose it somewhere in early 80s when he realised he had probably get a real job. Washing up in a charity shop somewhere years later, it’s prime for the picking of 20 something old girls, wanting to rebel against their old man and his distain of their new biker riding boyfriend. And so the glorious cycle continues.

Ebay Alternatives:

Find HERE on Ebay

THE PENNY LANE COAT

Inspired by Charlotte Simone’s recent drop of the rich chocolate ‘penny lane’ inspired coat favoured by the stylish Sheer Luxe girls, I searched for a preloved and more affordable alternative. I found this suede coat on Ebay just a couple of weeks before Christmas and adore it…marks and all. It dates back to the 70s which explains the sizing. It’s listed as a 16 but in today’s reality, is a 10-12. Thanks to its long history, I see the subtle water marks as evidence of a life well lived, and war wounds I am proud to fashion.

Ebay alternatives:

VINTAGE TEES

A staple that never fails to bring together a casual look. Perfect for weekends strolls and vintage shopping IMO…

Levis 501s

Girls who are 5’10 with legs up to here don’t have trouble finding the perfect fitting pair of jeans…however for the rest of us mere mortals, the search is oh so real and one that could last a lifetime. On a recent trip to Rokit Vintage during a lunch break, I found the perfect jeans. The only Levis on the rack in my size, I felt as if they were meant for me. I’ve tried to find some similar pairs…but to be honest I would recommend trying them on IRL if possible to avoid disappointment. But let the below act as inspiration if nothing else.

Ebay Alternatives:

THE OVERSIZED BLAZER

A trend that is here to stay and a personal favourite of mine. If I could, I would dress in oversized men’s blazers every day. I would apart from the fact I have been banned from buying anymore by my best friend. She often looks at me with a puzzled look on her face as I wheel out my favourite vintage Balmain blazer time and time again, meant for a 6’4 man and says “but its enormous on you…?” But to me, size does matter and the bigger the better…when it comes to blazers of course.

When it comes to oversized look, I think no one does it better than the Frankie Shop. Now their sizes are huge so I wouldn’t recommend anyone size 8-14 get anything below a S in their jackets. But they do have a knack of cutting them in a way that falls just right. They are a little more on the pricey side though so if you’re looking for a real steal, check out the Camel Wool Blazer below from Vinted.

Find HERE on Vinted.

The Cross Body/ Every day Bag

An essential part of a woman’s wardrobe, a window in our souls and something we (I) can’t live without, the ‘every day’ bag. Mine below is vintage Burberry which I found on Ebay for £50, which I have to say I was wildly proud of.

Here I’ve found an M&S version, vintage Celine and a vintage Ralph Lauren on Ebay. All three are preloved, pretty and versatile. Take your pick.

Ebay Alternatives:

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