We live in an era where trends are being recycled rapidly and fast fashion is more prevalent than ever. To satiate your sartorial desires and help the planet, we recommend adopting shopping vintage. Where sustainability meets style, the trend of vintage luxury is booming—mostly due to the compelling allure of uniqueness and a storied past that comes along with an archival piece. It also helps that it's more affordable.
In addition to lasting craftsmanship, and sometimes a smaller price tag, shopping second-hand allows you to get your hands on some of the most unique and sought-after pieces in the fashion world. Whether you're on the hunt for timeless silhouettes or looking to purchase an avant-garde piece, there's something for everyone–from the eclectic style of fictional fashionista Carrie Bradshaw to the sophistication of Jane Birkin. Ahead, we share our favourite online and brick and mortar stores to kickstart you vintage shopping expedition.
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NÉE VINTAGE
Nestled along the vibrant streets of Chinatown is Née Vintage's two-storey studio. From the iconic Fendi Baguette bags to Chanel's fun, unconventional pieces, Née Vintage's archive is a collector's dream. Owner and content creator Camila Asrori markets the brand on her social media, boasting an extensive range of the most sought-after vintage pieces and some lesser-known ones available in-store and online. The store is well-known on social media for carrying some of the most coveted vintage pieces from sequin Fendi Baguettes and Gucci's Horsebit and Bamboo handle pieces to some of Louis Vuitton's denim bags. While the store carries everything fit for a fashion girlie—including archival clothing, handbags, accessories, and watches—Née Vintage takes it up a notch with a wide range of luxury tableware from the likes of Hermès and Givenchy.
Née Vintage is located at 230 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058779 (Tel: 8883 4230). For more information visit their website.
MILIEU
Milieu is the perfect place to shop for style stars who love everything monochrome, avant-garde designs and unconventional silhouettes. As stated on their website, the brand aims to highlight the beauty of archive fashion, and their impressive offerings do just that. Their extensive curation features rare pieces from Maison Margiela, Jean Paul Gaultier, Yohji Yamamoto and plenty of Comme des Garçons. Milieu is perfect for those who love to make statements through edgier styling, deconstructed detailing or elevated textures.
Milieu is located at 45 Jalan Pemimpin #09-01 Singapore 577197. For more information visit their website.
HUNTSTREET
Huntstreet is one of the most prominent luxury marketplaces in the region. The large platform was originally founded in Indonesia and has since expanded to Singapore, with a regional-specific shopping site. While Huntstreet does not technically specialise in vintage pieces, there are plenty of archival pieces to shop—from vintage Hermès Brikin and Kelly bags to the iconic Louis Vuitton Murakami collaboration. The brand's team of specialists ensure the pieces are well-curated, well-priced and of excellent quality.
Visit their website here.
A VINTAGE TABLE
A Vintage Tale is all about the playfulness and vibrancy of vintage fashion. Visitors are welcomed into a magical world of fashion decked in colourful wallpaper and embellished with bold vintage furniture. The fun decor embodies what fashion is truly about: Expressing yourself! Spanning from the '50s to the '90s, A Vintage Tale boasts vintage pieces from iconic houses like Chanel, Gucci, Dior and Emilio Pucci. Located at the back of the store is a "Bar-A-Porter", a boozy corner for guests who love a cheeky cocktail or two. Named the "Carolina, Drink and Wine to go" this unique addition was incorporated to elevate the shopping experience, so prepare for an extravagantly fun-filled day when shopping at A Vintage Tale.
A Vintage Tale is located at Joo Chiat Rd, #01-01, Singapore 427531 (tel: 9187 0410). For more information visit their website.
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VIVAL STUDIOS
Vival Studios is a UK-based store specialising in vintage designer clothing, offering an extensive selection of brands like Miu Miu, Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gautier and Blumarine. Meticulously and skill-fully curated by fashion-forward owner Crystal Trevennen, these vintage pieces perfectly emulate what you imagine a fashion "it" girl wearing in a fashion-forward city like London or New York. While some emulate the most popular trends we see today, like the "office siren", coquette- and bloke-core, Vival Studios also offers vintage capris, billowing skirts and kitten heels reminiscent of fictional fashion icon Carrie Bradshaw. The expertly curated collections are updated frequently and are available to shop online with worldwide shipping.
Visit their website here.
AMORE VINTAGE JAPAN
AMORE Japan is one of Japan's most famous vintage shopping spots and a celebrity favourite. The store's clientele is a star-studded one, featuring the likes of Peggy Gou, Jennie Kim, Kim Kardashian and Megan Fox. Amore Japan offers a plethora of timeless classics, primarily stocking dead stock items that are unworn. All items are subject to rigorous quality control and multiple authentication processes. With three stores across Omotesando and Aoyama, it's a treasure trove of vintage gems. The two Amore Ometesando outlets are purely dedicated to Chanel, featuring an impressive collection of vintage pieces from just about any era of the house. Meanwhile, the Aoyama branch carries every iconic bag you can imagine, with its vast assortment of Hermès Birkins and stacked Louis Vuitton Trunks.
Visit their website here.
TAB VINTAGE
Founded in 2019 by Alexis Novak, Tab Vintage has since gained a reputation for being the place to shop for rare archival pieces. The brand places significant focus on sustainability by restoring decades-old archival pieces, breathing new life into them with the help of expert tailors. Tab Vintage is also a go-to destination for celebrities and their stylists, thanks to its impressive collection of highly-coveted archival collections like John Galliano's Dior, Tom Ford's Gucci and Phoebe Philo's Celine. Several celebrities have been spotted wearing Tab Vintage's couture pieces at high-profile red carpets. For instance, Emily Ratajkowski was seen wearing an archival Versace piece to this year's MET Gala.
Visit their website here.
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ALISON'S ARCHIVE
Allison's Archive is all about maximalism in the best ways possible, offering the most playful archival pieces from the '80s and '90s to early 2000s. Founder Allison Dickerman expertly curates the most vibrant pieces from coveted collections like Phoebe Philo's Chloé, '90s Jean Paul Gaultier and '90s D&G. Its aesthetic is a fun take on vintage fashion with bold prints, eventuated silhouettes and immaculate styling, which almost seems as if you're playing dress up in the brand's cosy Williamsburg boutique. While you might not find your Chanel classic flap bags, you will find unique gems and under-the-radar pieces you never knew you needed!
Visit their website here.