From Chloé to Yves Saint Laurent, These Are the Best Vintage Pieces to Shop Now
In today’s fashion industry, secondhand shopping is a sport. Hard-to-find designer dresses and runway looks go fast, and securing something special that stands the test of time and represents an era of seasons past is a victory. Here, we round up our favorite vintage pieces and the best vintage fashion finds to shop before they’re gone.
If you’ve kept up with fashion’s latest headlines, then you’ve likely already heard the news: boho is back. It became official with designer Chemena Kamali’s latest collection for Chloé, whose fall 2024 show opened with cascading ivory chiffon layered underneath a black leather cape and paired with studded flats, a look that evoked early Gossip Girl nostalgia. But there was more— at the Tate Modern in London, designer Sabato De Sarno’s resort 2025 Gucci collection featured different variations of brown suede jackets, followed by a series of white knitwear adorned with florals and, of course, the chamomile-embroidered denim—looks that felt like Alessandro Michele’s Califonia-coded Gucci. As Vogue Runway’s José Criales-Unzueta noted early in the season, clues of boho’s return were evident in the return of Indie Sleaze, as the styles often appear in the zeitgeist together. Now, the outfits of the 2000’s beloved bohemian icons—Sienna Miller, Serena van der Woodsen, Mischa Barton, the Olsens — have made their return.
Of course, there’s no better way to emulate the original bohemian looks of the aughts than by shopping vintage. Some of the best pieces on the secondhand market right now include a Yves Saint Laurent leather fringe skirt from the fall 2001 runway collection, designed by Tom Ford. It was part of YSL’s Rive Gauche ready-to-wear line, which launched in 1966 and is now discontinued, and was worn on the runway by supermodel Carmen Kass. There’s also a quintessentially-bohemian Chloé white silk billowing maxi dress from the spring 2020 runway collection, and also in the maxi dress category, a Phoebe Philo for Céline lace and silk gown from the spring 2018 runway collection. Embracing the trend by way of ethereal dresses, which can be layered with chunky knits and leather jackets upon fall’s arrival, is a failsafe foray into our new bohemian era.
More rare vintage dresses ideal for the season include The Row’s black spaghetti strap evening gown (which doubles as a day dress) and Christian Dior’s silk slip dress (from the 2004 spring runway collection, designed by John Galliano). Dolce & Gabbana’s sheer black and lace top is a perfect vintage find to pair with wide-leg jeans, like this pair from Stella McCartney, for a true 2000s look. And of course, there’s no bohemian bag quite like a Balenciaga city designed by Nicolas Ghesquière.
Shop the latest vintage arrivals that emulate fashion’s biggest trend from Vestiaire Collective, The Real Real, and more.
Easy LayersAn effortless look that can transition from season to season, The Row’s black silk dress pairs perfectly with Marc Jacobs’ runway lucite heels and Louis Vuitton’s basket bag. Complete the look with a timeless cardi from Agnés B.
The Row
square neckline dress
Louis Vuitton
jelly basket
Black on BlackReady to invest fully in boho? Then the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche suede skirt is a forever piece that might even get passed down through generations. Pair it with a Jean Paul Gautier sheer top and a pair of Khaite leather embroidered western boots. Finish the look with a timepiece like this one from Cartier; you can never go wrong with the chocolate leather band.
Jean Paul Gautier
vintage top
Saint Laurent
vintage knee-length skirt
Khaite
leather embroidered accent Western boots
Boho Dressing With a ’90s TwistA sheer slip dress from John Galliano’s 2000s Christian Dior is a no-brainer when it comes to bohemian’s summer return. Lean all the way into the look’s warmer tones by pairing it with a Celine letter necklace, a pair of Maryam Nassir Zadeh sandals, and a true vintage cocktail ring.
vintage midi length dress
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
leather mules
Ring
diamond cocktail ring
In a Romantic MoodAnother take on boho chic is the cottagecore-coded version of it. Few do this look better than Chloé, and this silk white dress from the spring 2020 runway collection encapsulates the trend. Pair it with rare Alaïa leather platform sandals, an iconic Tiffany heart, and add in some flower fever with an embroidered Fendi baguette.
Alaïa
leather scalloped accent sandals
Tiffany & Co.
open heart pendant necklace
Daytime EleganceThis Phoebe Philo for Céline dress is a true showstopper—one that can be styled into almost any trend or season. Wear it with Tory Burch’s brown leather tie-up sandals (a true boho shoe), a pair of Marni flower drop earrings, and a perfect black Balenciaga city bag.
Tory Burch
leather floral-print sandals
Balenciaga
City leather handbag
Marni
flower drop earrings
Keep It Casual With JeansLast, but certainly not least, is the perfect summer bohemian top: a Dolce & Gabbana black sheer number. Wear this particularly ethereal piece with a pair of wide-leg jeans, like those from Stella McCartney or Khaite, a quintessentially-summer cable knit sweater, and another bohemian icon—Gucci’s Jackie bag.
Stella McCartney
high-rise wide-leg jeans
Gucci
Jackie cloth handbag
Previous monthly arrivals, below.
This time three years ago, there was a sudden a shift in the way we got dressed. Sure, summer was around the corner. But this particular change was different—COVID vaccines had finally kicked in and leaving the house took on a new meaning. A fervor for fun was in the air, and it showed in our clothing. The popular prairie frocks of the 2010s seemingly vanished overnight, and in their place, a completely different look took over: Christopher Esber cut-out dresses, low-rise denim and skirts, and any opportunity to bare some midriff.
It’s certainly not the first time fashion reflected social trends and current events, but it marked a much-needed reset and official return to one of the most-loved eras in runway fashion: the ’90s. Still reigning supreme today—most recently, runway collections from Miu Miu, Hermès, and Alexander McQueen each touted the era’s signature low-rise pants and midriff-baring styles—trends of the 1990s show no signs of slowing down.
With its sheer, embellished dresses, gauzy skirt overlays, bralettes as tops, and fitted, unzipped jackets, Prada’s spring 1995 collection exemplifies the styles we began embracing in 2021; and this season again, with a new lease on life. (The collection itself was a dissertation on doing away with conservative dressing and the liberation that comes with shedding layers; the hallmark styles of that era will forever represent a certain freedom in fashion.)
This installment of vintage finds offers ‘90s and ‘90s-inspired pieces that celebrate the era. From Prada’s quintessential low-rise white skirt to a lace Rodarte slip dress to a cropped knit top from Interior’s Spring 2023 runway show, each embraces the spirit of that euphoric 2021 summer. Also in this edit you’ll find a handful of spring statement pieces, including the Tory Burch paneled dress that took over her Spring 2022 runway show, an equally fun Molly Goddard cotton pink dress, a pair of Khaite’s red patent Mary Janes, a Simone Rocha chiffon skirt, and a can’t-miss Phoebe Philo-era Celine dress.
Most of the treasures in this installment were found on Vestiaire Collective, which opened its doors of their Brooklyn warehouse this week to editors for an inside look at their vintage authentication process for handbags, jewelry, shoes, and clothing.
Shopping vintage is no small feat—it takes stamina and patience to find that treasure you’ve been wanting—but knowing that your piece is certified authentic can offer peace of mind. At Vestiaire, every sold item over $1,000 goes immediately to their authentication center before being shipped to the buyer. For other items, customers pay $15 for the authentication as an added service. “We have a team of 90 authenticators globally reviewing items from the tag down to the seam and exchanging information based on what they review. We work hand in hand with some top luxury brands to train our teams and some of them give us access to their authentication technology, so our knowledge and expertise is unrivaled,” says Victoire Boyer Chammard, head of our authentication. Vestiaire also recently relaunched their Archive Room, a curated edit from its sellers highlighting top-tier vintage and archival finds. This presents shoppers with a new way to peruse pre-vetted pieces.
Below is a selection of favorite finds from Vestiaire’s current collection, as well as a handful of gems on TheRealReal, eBay, and Etsy.
Summer WhitesInterior’s Spring 2023 runway show closed with the song “Where Is My Mind?” by The Pixies blaring as models marched in quintessential ‘90s minimalist looks. One of those looks, number six, was a perfect midriff-meets-midi skirt ensemble. The top is available now on Vestiaire, which pairs perfectly with a white cotton Alaïa skirt. Finish the spring look with a silver Repetto flat and classic Bottega bag—vetted by Vestiaire’s team.
Bottega Veneta
leather handbag
Repetto
leather Mary Jane flats
Cool ColorblockingFollowing the buzz of her spring 2021 fashion, Tory Burch kept up the excitement going with her spring 2022 show. The collection featured colorblocked dresses and cut-outs that shared the same sentiment of the year prior. The fan-favorite paneled dress is available now on Vestiaire Collective. Pair it with Bottega’s strappy heels and a perfect rattan bag.
Tory Burch
silk maxi dress
Bottega Veneta
leather gladiator sandals
Tiffany & Co.
open heart pendant necklace
Spring FlingSpeaking of celebratory dressing, no one does a modern take on frocks quite like Molly Goddard. One of her classic confection dresses is available now on Vestiaire, which pairs well with a patent red Mary Jane heel from Khaite, matching red Fendi Baguette, and Cartier statement ring (with a ruby center stone).
Khaite
patent leather T-strap pumps
Cartier
vintage ruby Ellipse band
Lightweight LayersSome of Vestiaire’s best-kept-secret treasures are the no-name finds, such as this vintage fringe jacket (an on-trend piece of the ‘90s and today). Wear it with a black skirt, such as Simone Rochas’ chiffon and silk number, a Marni market back, and a pair of Maryam Nassir Zadeh patent sandals.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
patent leather slingback sandals
Transitional HeroesThere’s no more quintessential ’90s look than a silk and lace slip dress. This one from Rodarte has been haunting my cart for months, but this Rodarte option with the flower is also a stunner. Wear either with a Burberry trench coat, a timeless spring essential, a pair of Jil Sander woven sandals, and a leather-band Cartier watch.
Rodarte
silk mid-length dress
Vintage IconsPrada’s low-rise white skirt is a no-brainer purchase when it comes to ’90s staples, and this one is a steal. Wear it with Miu Miu’s white cotton sailor top, a pair of Margiela Tabi Mary Janes, and another ‘90s icon: a Prada nylon bag.
Maison Margiela
leather heels
Modern MinimalismLast, but certainly not least, is Celine’s Phoebe Philo black and white V-neck dress. Phoebe Philo, the minimalist queen herself, perhaps understands this era of dressing better than anyone. Wear it with a pair of strappy Manolo suede heels and a Celine clasp handbag. Complete the look with Completedworks’ statement hoop earrings.
Manolo Blahnik
slingback sandals
Completedworks
hoop earrings
Celine
leather crossbody bag
Previous monthly arrivals, below.
This week in Paris, when creative director Chemena Kamali presented Chloé’s fall 2024 collection, it quickly proved to be one of the buzziest shows of the season. Making a case for the return to 2000s bohemian chic (the poster child of the era herself, Sienna Miller, sat front row), the looks were an ode to the house and its predecessors’ all-time greatest hits. The show—heavy on billowing silks, rippling white lace, and fringed leather—served as a reminder of what makes clothing special: The old stuff, the lore, and the historical references that make getting dressed, and even following fashion at all, interesting.
This latest segment of secondhand treasures pays tribute to just that, with a look ahead to spring dressing. If there’s one timely item that feels equally nostalgic and fitting for the upcoming season, one that Chloé always mastered, it’s the empire-waist maxi dress. A perfect example is look 28 from the house’s fall 2020 collection, a quintessential Chloé number worth scooping on eBay. Speaking of ideal empire silhouette dresses, this one from Celine’s fall 2017 collection is also on the market at Vestiaire. To bring it back to fashion lore: Chloé and Celine’s overlap in aesthetic is no coincidence—Philo was Chloé’s designer from 1997-2006, and Chloé’s current creative director, Kamali, worked under Phoebe Philo in the early 2000s. Proof that what goes around really does come back around.
Adding to the return to our bohemian roots, this edit also includes a Marni sheer chocolate empire-waist midi dress (it’s giving 2000s Mischa Barton) and a can’t-miss Prada find: a sheer, beaded number that has been in my The Real Real obsessions for months.
Below, enjoy these bohemian finds plus a mix of vintage florals—including a pair of Gucci wide-leg pants, a daisy-stitched Fendi baguette, and a Kelly green Molly Goddard cardigan. The star of the selection? Prada’s 2002 PVC runway raincoat, just because those spring flowers most likely will come with some April showers. Shop them all while they’re still here.
Spring ShowersIf one has to go out in the rain, ideally it happens while wearing Prada’s PVC translucent runway raincoat. Found on Poshmark, it’s the one item that can make a rainy day feel far less gloomy. Pair it with a swingy skirt, like Margiela’ lace-trim iteration (an item you’ll wear season after season), and a perfect chunky knit from Dries. Finish the look with a sleek flat, like this highly-coveted pair from The Row (found at an ideal price, too).
MM6 Maison Margiela
knee-length skirt
Dries Van Noten
wool jumper
Ethereal EleganceMarni’s sheer chocolate dress, coming in at under $100, is an item that will surely sell fast on The Real Real. It’s the perfect dress to wear in-between seasons while still staying ahead of the trends. Elevate this number with a pair of strappy sandals, like this silver pair from Dior. A pair of silver Sophie Buhai hoops round out the look. Give the ensemble a true vintage edge with a rare handbag find: Christian Dior’s chocolate ostrich Double Saddle Bag.
Marni
scoop neck long dress
Dior
patent leather sandals
Dior
Ostrich double saddle bag
Sophie Buhai
illusion hoop earrings
In Full BloomIt always comes back to Miranda Priestly’s famous line: “Florals, for spring? Groundbreaking.” But when those flowers take shape in a pair of Gucci’s 2017 flair floral pants from Alessandro Michele, they could actually be groundbreaking. Make it a monochromatic look with a brown trench coat, another spring essential, like a felt-collar iteration from Burberry (this one comes in at an especially competitive price). Hereu’s brown leather block-heeled Mary Jane’s give this look a touch of height. Go full garden in bloom with one of Fendi’s famed floral-embroidered baguettes.
Hereu
leather Mary Jane flats
New HorizonsIf you’re jetting off for one last warm escape before spring’s arrival, here’s a look to consider. Chloe’s 2020 empire-waist, spaghetti-strap maxi gown is a timeless number that simultaneously masters boho chic. Pair it with statement silver jewelry, like Tiffany’s silver cuff necklace, and a pair of platform sandals. Add color to the ensemble with a vintage staple: a Molly Goddard Kelly green flower-embroidered cardigan.
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany 1837 necklace
Molly Goddard
crew neck sweater
Lighter LayersSpeaking of maxi dresses, here’s a vintage find you won’t want to skip. From Phoebe Philo’s 2017 Celine runway collection, this elastic and jersey dress is one that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. For more casual outings, pair it with a vintage Polo Ralph Lauren denim jacket, silver Lana hoop earrings, and strappy Saint Laurent sandals.
Lana Jewelry
Flat Magic hoop earrings
Polo Ralph Lauren
washed denim jean jacket
Saint Laurent
leather sandals
Warmer NightsLast, but certainly not least, is the floral maxi moment we’ve all been waiting for: Prada’s blue beaded and sequin dress, found on The Real Real. Whoever swipes this number (at a price drop, too) is a true vintage winner. Make it a true look of secondhand luxury by wearing it with a Louis Vuitton late 1990s jacket, a pair of Chanel black mesh mules, and an Elsa Peretti for Tiffany cuff.
Chanel
interlocking CC logo slides
Tiffany & Co.
medium bone cuff bracelet
