Discover Online Vintage — BUTTONED BEARS

You know how they say “history repeats itself”? Well, so do fashion trends.

At the mere mention of the word “vintage,” fashion gurus and angsty teens alike come running. I’m just as guilty though. Thrift shopping has become a go-to activity for me to do with friends and weirdly enough, my dad.

Lucky for us, stores like Urban Outfitters (UO) and ASOS, plus the not-so-known Fanfare label, are raiding their moms’ (and dads’!) closets again. While in the clutches of my late-night online shopping endeavors, I’ve uncovered maybe the best kept secrets on these sites.

In the midst of ethics scandals with fast-fashion companies, sustainability has been brought to the forefront of the fashion industry.

Many of the collections on these sites are described as “reclaimed,” “repurposed” and “recycled.” Urban Outfitters has one of the larger collections of vintage everything, not just your big and baggy graphic tees. They have up-cycled split sweatshirts, custom jeans, tie-dye designs and flannel/button-up crossovers.

Now, if only glancing at UO vintage made your wallet whimper, it doesn’t want to hear this next part. ASOS has a whole platform for independent boutiques and vintage sellers called ASOS Marketplace.

Over 200 international brands, new and old, are categorized as retro, 70s, designer vintage, denim, bohemian and so on. These vintage up-cycling boutiques boast sustainability and handpicked, handmade pieces. Poshmark-esque, but a lot more branded, ASOS Marketplace takes all the heavy lifting out of finding one-of-a-kind pieces online.

Even if only for your creative pursuits, explore the pages of independent boutiques for new aesthetics.

Lastly (though we’re really only scraping the surface of new-old styles), Fanfare is a sustainable fashion house, dutifully committed to their strong ethics and mission statement. They ensure the collection doesn’t compromise its sustainability with quality work; they recycle, reimagine and reuse materials.

Fanfare also promises fair wages and working conditions to their production team in the UK; they condemn human trafficking and plastic pollution.

The British company has a clear purpose for their vintage goods and a clear commitment to quality. These clean and classically embellished dresses, sweaters and pants will not be found anywhere else. Ginghams, plaids, pomps, ruffles and ripples are all somehow combined to make something else.

My favorite discovery so far: you can send in your own pair of old jeans to be given a new life. They will rejuvenate them with appliques and textiles for the chance of a second life.

Besides the fact you never have to worry about looking like everyone else in vintage, it’s a great solution to fast-fashion wastefulness issues. Getting the most life out of what is already out there is ethically responsible and more environmentally conscious.

*Keep in mind, because of limited availability of repurposed clothes and remnant materials used, pieces are only available to buy in certain quantities, sizes and store locations. Notice, the Urban Renewal collection from Urban Outfitters is only available online. They remind customers each piece is unique; they’re made from found materials and may vary slightly in color and shape.

Written by: Vivian Roach

Edited by: Josie Gruber