My love of thrift stores began as a spring chicken growing up in a small town on Australia’s sunny east coast. In lieu of any clothing store options beyond Suprè and surf shops, I was forced to get creative when feeding my burgeoning shopping addiction. And so, each weekend, me and best friend would pile into her old Subaru and hit the streets in search of some pre-loved finds to call our own.
The reasons why I prefer to shop second-hand over new have largely remained the same to this day. There’s no greater thrill than finding an on-trend piece or a unique buy for less than the cost of lunch, it’s fun, and it’s a more much sustainable way to fatten up your wardrobe. Also, it tickles me to imagine the different lives my clothes have lived. Did I mention how good it is for the environment?
Since I’m still living like it’s 2005 (by doing the bulk of my thrift shopping IRL), I leaned on my Insta-savvy cohort Georgie to help curate the below list of the best vintage stores on Instagram. In a way this is somewhat of a self-serving exercise. Girl can turn out a lewk like no other, and since she’s probably sick of me asking, “OMGGG where did you get that?” a milli times a week, I thought I’d steal all her secrets and put them all into one place, not only for the benefit of my own wardrobe, but for the greater good of society at large. Owe you one, GF!
Fall into a fun, cheap gem-studded vortex below (while you patiently wait for Julie Blichfeld’s hotly-anticipated @_collect23 to launch)…
ICYMI, some of our fave style comes straight outta Copenhagen. Here’s looking at you, Lotta! Makes sense then that this should top the list as one of the best vintage stores on Instagram, with its fine selection of jumpsuits, Yves Saint Laurent blazers and cute in-between season appropriate dresses.
View this post on Instagram
Cute vintage 70s Yves Saint Laurent black will blazer#YSL#justin#jeromevintage
Summer (in the southern hemi) just got a whole lot steezier, thanks to CBN Vintage. Model Caroline Brasch Nielsen’s store is full of the fun, ~whacky~ treasures that you spend hours digging at your local thrift store trying to find (but rarely do). It’s also making us want to burn our monochromatic work wardrobes, and start afresh with multicoloured gingham seersucker jackets and silk blazers.
If you’ve been looking to curate a Parisian-inspired wardrobe, then this vintage insta-store is your ticket. With cropped pastel cardigans, ultra-feminine summer dresses, and stacks of prairie-style blouses on offer, people will be confusing you with Jeanne Damas in no time.
View this post on Instagram
💕 SOLD// : Prune is wearing a vintage cardigan 💌 contact me if you are interested
The Break is the most aesthetically-pleasing brain break for your work day, not to mention the coolest store on Instagram. There’s silk midi skirts, there’s pastel suits and there’s a whole lotta cute girls on there doing them justice.
If you’re ever in Melbs, it’s 10/10 recommended that you pop into the physical coco store in Fitzroy. ‘Tis beautiful. If not, you can still shop up a storm via their Instagram stories and feed.
Also based out of Melbourne, Viis is your one-stop insta-shop for beautifully-fitting suits, trousers, straw hats, and ~denim with a twist~.
View this post on Instagram
If you’re after cute skirt suits, long shorts easy breezy linen staples then Elia Vintage is the place 2 be hanging out online this summer.
Oooooft, Lucia Zolea is the prettiest store to ever exist (in our humble opinion). Replete with sheer dresses and blouses, multicoloured knits, and oversized blazers for every occasion, you’re guaranteed to feel like a fancier version of yourself just from scrolling through their feed.
Words, Madeleine Woon | Image, @_collect23
GET INVOLVED