Follow These 5 Fabulous Vintage Clothing Sellers on Instagram To Make Your Feed Way More Stylish
Vintage fashion has become increasingly popular in recent years, as shoppers seek to make their wardrobes more sustainable by buying used items and many trends are reviving looks from decades past. '70s fashion has been "back" for a while (see the resurgence of bohemian and disco styles) and you’ve probably heard about the '80s rebirth (hello, high-waisted jeans and mall brand comebacks!) — most recently, even '00s fashion is stylish again, to the chagrin of many who lived through this gaudy fashion era all too recently. (The 2000s may seem like only yesterday, but the generally accepted industry standard for "vintage" clothing is anything aged 20 years or more.) While it's fun to dig through the goods at your local thrift shop and turn up retro treasures, it's a lot easier to shop online. The internet offers an array of hand-selected, pre-loved garments for any fashion sense; and Instagram, in particular, has become a home for vintage clothing sellers.
To help you find the best vintage style Insta has to offer, I’ve gathered five of my favorite accounts — all run by stylish and entrepreneurial women. Their gorgeous wares are sure to brighten your day and your wardrobe, should you decide to buy from them.
1. For Old Hollywood Glamour: Butch Wax Vintage
To ogle gorgeous '50s dresses fit for Marilyn Monroe, follow Butch Wax Vintage. Based in California and run by Amanda Suter, a savvy 40-something businesswoman who’s been working in the vintage world for many years (the first piece she sold was bought for The Martha Stewart Show!), Butch Wax Vintage offers a wide selection of sexy but sophisticated dresses. These are all modeled by Suter herself, and you can buy them from her on Instagram via direct message or from her site. Bonus: Suter's page includes occasional cameos from her adorable young son and Bengal cat.
2. For Celebrity Chic: Shrimpton Couture
Run by Cherie Balch since 2006, Shrimpton Couture specializes in show-stopping high-end vintage from iconic designers. Her goods are definitely investment pieces, but this Instagram is a fun follow even if you can’t afford old-school Christian Dior. Based in Canada, the 57-year-old Balch sells through her website, and her Instagram (on which she occasionally models) showcases her encyclopedic fashion knowledge and provides historical context for the items on offer. Vintage has become big among celebrities looking to stand out on the red carpet, and many of them, including actress Zooey Deschanel and superstar singer Rihanna, wear clothes sourced from Shrimpton Couture.
3. For a Quirky History Lesson: House of Edgertor
Following House of Edgertor is truly an educational experience. Based in New Jersey and active on Etsy (a site for selling vintage items and crafty goods), the shop provides a fascinating context for every piece they sell. In addition to pictures of the item on sale, they offer contemporary ads and other imagery to paint a picture of the garment's backstory alongside thoroughly researched captions. For example, a picture of a sequined tube top sports a caption describing the rise of this recognizably '70s garment: "These all were only middlingly popular until the disco era hit. But by 1978-1979, these were absolutely ubiquitous, and dirt cheap. It was an egalitarian fancy garment — flash, trash, barely any cash." The shop has an eclectic selection — think '40s sweaters, '60s dresses, and '70s and '80s mass-market clothes — and their captions and images demonstrate how vintage fashion makes history come alive.
4. For '70s Nostalgia: Strange Vintage
If you grew up in the '70s, Strange Vintage — a shop that posts their goods on Instagram and sells through their website — will definitely bring back some memories. The California-based brand is one of the dreamiest vintage clothing sellers on Instagram. They specialize in the whimsical, frilly, prairie-style dresses that made appearances at many a '70s special event. These dresses have made a comeback in recent years, thanks to the popularity of “cottagecore,” a style celebrating the cozy throwback femininity of buttoned-up frocks. Even if you don’t want to buy a Gunne Sax by Jessica McClintock or Young Edwardian by Arpeja dress for yourself, you may enjoy seeing them on your feed and imagining yourself twirling 'round in one at the prom.
5. For Sex and the City Style: Real Life as Liv
Run by Olivia Haroutounian, a young fashionista based in Texas, Real Life as Liv deals in the newer, more playful side of vintage. Haroutounian is a Sex and the City obsessive, and sells many pieces by designers who were once featured on the ground-breaking TV show. She also makes videos in which she identifies the designers behind iconic SatC looks, like Vivienne Westwood skirts, Patricia Field tops, Betsey Johnson dresses, and Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik heels. Haroutounian sells through her site, and frequently models the garments herself, plus she often shares pieces from smaller, now-forgotten designers of the '90s and '00s — shining a much-needed light on their colorful creations.
Viva Vintage!
Whether you’re a fan of vintage shopping, love to wallow in nostalgia, or simply want to add some beautiful clothes to your Instagram feed, these chic clothing sellers will add major style to your scroll. Happy shopping!
