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Secondhand clothing, while a great tool in a sustainable fashion quest, is about so much more than how you shop — it's about style. Teen Vogue's editors know that better than anyone. When you can marry your desire to lessen your environmental impact with a beautiful piece of clothing or an accessory, it's an automatic win. Ahead, we break down our favorite pieces that we already have in our closets and why we love them.
Skyli Alvarez, Editorial Assistant
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“My greatest vintage treasure is my pair of ‘pantaloons’ (essentially long bloomers) from the late 1800s. Three years ago, I came across them at an estate sale in a cottage full of antique clothes and a very sweet old dog just outside of my college town. The timing was perfect because, at the time, I’d been brainstorming a Marie Antoinette Halloween costume, and the pants became the finishing touch, with their lightweight-ness and decorative lace trim. I always wonder if their prior owner ever thought they’d be worn to a costume party a century later. Either way, they’re truly the find of my dreams.”
Aiyana Ishmael, Associate Editor
"I actually don't own anything vintage or secondhand, although I hope to one day. Outside of accessories, there aren't many plus-size vintage pieces I've been lucky enough to get my hands on. But don't worry, that doesn't mean I will stop looking. But I have owned this Hanifa dress since 2019 and it is one of my prized possessions. It was the first luxury piece I'd gotten for myself while in college. It's seen me through many versions of myself and survived my apartment building's fire and flooding, so it's safe to say we're in this for the long run."
Dani Kwateng, Executive Editor
“If I’m in a vintage shop and I see anything that’s from Issey Miyake, and it fits, I’m buying it. I have a few vintage Issey pieces, but my favorite is a brown Pleats Please minidress that has cool zippers, buttons, and drawstrings to switch up its look.”
Donya Momenian, Associate Style Editor
“I found this jacket in the back of my mom's closet when I was bored at home and snooping around, so I'm not sure when it's from. When I asked her, she just said, ‘A long time ago.’ Since she doesn't really wear it anymore, she gave it to me before I moved to New York City for work, and I've worn it so much. It makes me feel like I'm at home even when I'm not. Plus, it still feels ultra-trendy even now because it's a pretty classic and timeless look that people still gravitate to (thank you, Hailey Bieber). It's not exactly luxury, but the quality still feels better than a lot of the items I bought recently, so it's a good reminder to shop wisely and keep my clothes in good condition to maybe pass down to another loved one in the future.”
Alyssa Hardy, Style Director
“I bought a suede, button-front midi skirt in this really unique burnt orange at the Salvation Army when I was in high school. It’s a color I’d never buy new, but something about the high-quality find for $15 made me need to have it. Over the years, I realized there must have been a run of the fabric that made its way to secondhand stores. I'll randomly see someone in this exact same color and style, and I'll ask them about it. They always say something along the lines of, ‘This is 10 years old from a secondhand store where I’m from.’ It's a connection I always find so heartwarming.”
