We present our edit of the Instagram-based thrift shops you'll want to follow (and to buy from) this Friday
Secondhand shopping can so often be an arduous process of rifling through mountains of suspiciously stained acrylic knitwear and rails of chintzy tea dresses that appear as though they have been salvaged from the depths of a rubbish bin. Which is why heading to Instagram for a curated treasure trove of vintage pieces has become a quick and easy method of cutting out the lingering scent of mothballs from your retail experience, with the hard work done already done for you and pieces available to purchase with the tap of a finger. There’s perhaps nothing better than getting compliments on the one-of-a-kind pair of trousers that you found on eBay, or the pair of shoes in your size bought from a local charity shop. So, to help you along the way, look no further than our edit of the best Instagram vintage stores to follow this Friday.
@downhouse_
eBay garment descriptions are where adjectives go to live out the lives they were destined to. “60s handmade rainbow crochet tank”? Yes, I do want that. “70s violet wide leg trousers”; “dark chocolate velvet jumpsuit”? Both of those, too, please. On @downhouse_, you’ll find the most colourful and eclectic in hand-selected vintage, spanning crimson 70s shirts, ochre yellow doll-collared blouses and papaya jumpsuits, interspersed with inspirational moodboard-friendly pictures. What’s more, with its anti-Trump and LGBTQI-owned policies, you get a healthy dose of liberalism with your purchase too.
@the_corner_store
Owned by Stacey Nishimoto (an Instagram sensation in her own right), not only will you find a highly curated edit of shoppable vintage at The Corner Store, but also a wealth of make-up and beauty inspiration: for Nishimoto is also a hair and make-up artist, creating characters inspired by 1970s Pierrot clowns and 1980s soviet kitsch fashion. Perfection.
@persephonevintage
It takes art direction and styling skills, as well as a nose for the best in vintage finds, to put together an excellently executed Instagram store, and Persephone Vintage has these – plus an ever-evolving carousel of fabulous accessories to pair with – in abundance. Straw basket bags, one-in-a-million denim purchases and statement pieces all feature on this feed, which is refreshed several times daily and thus serves equally well for styling inspiration as it does actual retail. The jewellery offerings, rich dusky brown backdrop and slightly Mediterranean aesthetic (think Jacquemus’ S/S17 campaign) all make for a browsing experience far superior to that of a musty local store.
@the___zoo
From 1990s Moschino rosebud pumps to a Dolce & Gabbana suede cocktail dress, this vintage Insta-store is your go-to for all unusual designer garms. Cleverly blended with bizarre jewellery and accessories (think a 1980s Cleopatra-inspired gold and silver cuff and a mini handbag printed with Botticelli’s Birth of Venus) head to The Zoo Boutique for an edit of the most left-field secondhand clothing you could ever dream of.
@naninvintage
Thrill-seeking shoppers look no further; the pieces on offer at Na Nin Vintage are on a first direct message, first served basis – and you have to pay within the hour to secure your special find. Keep a close eye out for dreamy silk blouses in pastel shades, high-waisted linen trousers and a selection of the most perfect vintage denim in an array of washes. The basis for your spring/summer wardrobe starts here.
