If you follow along on Instagram, I’m often sharing trips that I take to the Rosebowl Flea Market or estates sales. My love for vintage has truly gotten stronger and more cohesive over time. It’s developed partially based on a deeper appreciation for pieces from the past as well as me coming into my personal style more so as I have gotten older. Here are a few reasons why I love shopping vintage…

1. Unique pieces that (likely) no one else has. Sometimes, vintage clothing looks vintage (like this dress above). There is sometimes a cut or style of pattern that definitely dates itself but in a way that you like. And sometimes, it’s not obvious that a piece is vintage as the style has either come back to be very current or it just happens to be a more classic vintage piece. Regardless if someone can tell it’s vintage or not, the fun part is that there is a very small chance that anyone else will have that piece you just found. Pair it with everyday basics from current stores, and it becomes a great way to have a wardrobe that’s both accessible and unique.

2. Less waste. Shopping for vintage clothing is the ultimate form of upcycling or reusing within the realm of fashion. While I do love fast fashion for some things (my favorite pair of overalls is from Target!), I also am getting to the stage of my life where I don’t want to buy something simply because it’s cheap and trendy and then be done with it a month later. Vintage clothes already exist out there in the world. So, when you get something vintage, you’re giving it a longer life and likely replacing it with something else new you might have otherwise bought.

3. There are stories behind these pieces that then get continued through you. This is SUCH a fun part of vintage to me. I love imagining who first bought the piece, and why they bought it. What did they wear it to? What time period was that? What joys did they experience? I most likely will never know the answers, but it’s so fun to imagine, isn’t it?

4. You can buy vintage for such a great price (or not). Some vintage clothing is CRAZY expensive…like more expensive then what you would pay for something new because it is in amazing quality or has a designer label on it. That is certainly one way to go (and I will occasionally splurge on something I know is a legit piece of fashion history). But I mostly love vintage when I score a piece for a deal. My favorite booth at the Rosebowl Flea Market sells most pieces for $7-15 each. I might walk away with a handful of pieces and spend less than $60. Finding those pieces usually require more digging, but when you find them, oh…it’s SO fun!

Do YOU shop vintage?

P.S. My tips for buying vintage online.

{Photos by Lily Glass}