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Etsy Insights: Curating timeless vintage pieces
Hey there! I’m Hannah from Bad Tourist Vintage and I have been a long time lover of fashion, travel, and photography. I love timeless, oversized style and styling men's pieces for women. I have always wanted to have my own fashion brand so when I started selling vintage and pre-loved items during the pandemic, I fell in love.
Selling vintage and pre-loved items for me has been a way to shop more sustainably and encourage others to do the same. When I find the perfect mens button down and style and sell it in my shop, that is one less new shirt (likely from a fast fashion brand) being purchased and entering the fashion cycle.
Here are a few things I keep in mind when sourcing vintage and managing my shop:
- While I’m out sourcing, I often find pieces for myself that are very similar to coveted items being sold online, and often much better quality. For example, I love vintage men's wool coats. They are gorgeous and so well made, and often kept in better condition, plus you see brands trying to emulate this exact look today. Why buy new when you can buy a better made, original version and make it your own? Everything I sell is timeless and can be applied to lots of different trends that cycle through (although I don't believe in chasing trends and encourage everyone to instead seek out their own personal style) as chasing trends is the reason we have so many fast fashion brands producing one time wear items, that are rarely loved and often tossed out.
- Using myself as a model in listing photos and videos really seems to resonate with my buyers. It adds a human element to the shop and it reveals who I am as the owner and the person who sources, styles, and ships orders straight to the buyer. Through this, I’ve created a tight knit community of buyers (and followers on Instagram) who appreciate my specific taste in vintage and styling. It’s not for everyone but those who love it, really love it and it creates awesome connections.
- On a more practical level, always disclose any damage or marks in your listing descriptions and photos. It’s also important to share detailed measurements for every item! This sets clear expectations and hopefully avoids confusion about size and fit (as we all know vintage sizing varies drastically). Sometimes we miss things, we are human after all, so I also include a disclaimer that I will try to mention everything but it is possible something could be missed and to reach out with any questions.
When they say “they don't make ‘em like they used to,” they aren't wrong. Quality in the fashion industry has been a concern over the years, so when you shop vintage, not only have these items already stood the test of time, they will continue to do so.
Vintage sellers, how do your vintage pieces stand the test of time? From beautiful fine jewelry to classic leather jackets, or an antique furniture piece, I’d love to hear your stories!
FairytalerealmStore
·2 years agoI agree and enjoy adding a bit of history to my listing such as the illustrator's background or the porcleain producer's history. Every item deerves a story.
369Antique
·2 years ago"Antiques hold value not only due to their unique historical background and rarity but also because of their exquisite craftsmanship and distinctive aesthetic appeal."
NanasBeadoir
·2 years agoIn 2019 I started working on handemade, beaded jewelry, a passion from my youth that returned and was proud when created my first good pieces. Than a friend who runs a very successful handmade jewelry shop in here told me "put them on Etsy". So I opened my little shop with enthusiasm, ready for the sales that would come. What came was cruel reality... I only sold three pieces in that first year and the following one was not much better.
Then, one day, my mother opened her jewelry boxes and gave me some clip on earring from the '80s saying "Nana, find a new girl to wear them". And these earrings were sold very quickly! Since then that was our game with mom giving me items that belonged to her or her family and me listing them in Etsy, plus some vintage things of mine I would not use and my shop turn little by little into a vintage shop. Given that mom could not give away almost anything she owned during decades, I suddenly found so many unique items with a great story behind them to offer. Things I loved and valued, some of them were pieces of my childhood, but for me to let them go to a new home, to people who would appreciate them, is a much more charming procedure.
My mother passed away last year, so now all her house has practically been removed in my basement, filling it with the beauty and the memories of past times. And every time I list a new item I can hear her saying "Nana, find a new home for it". I don't have many buyers, I cannot say I own a successful shop, but most people who receive a piece from me can feel they receive a piece of a family history. And it is more than touching when I receive their feed back. Honestly, that's why I really want to remain being active in Etsy.
I find that vintage items have a different charm and I love dealing with them. Trying to show out my items correctly I read a lot, learned many new things, became, not and expert, of course, but a lover of vintage and old fashion with some better knowledge now. I also have tons of old clothes, but have not found a satisfying way to make good photos of them and don't feel ready to put them here, so I give them to second hand shops around.
Vintage is a magic world. And when I buy in Etsy I almost always buy vintage. And I am sure some other mom is smiling out there when I bring a piece into its new home .
PetticoatTales
·2 years agoGreat post, thank you
Firestonehub
·2 years agoMy sale increases
Firestonehub
·2 years agomy seller increases
romaarellano
·2 years agoLove your shop and the fact that you do your own photos. I only wear vintage, it is better. My target buyers are women who grew up wearing or longing to wear Southwestern jewelry, silver over gold, turquoise over diamonds. I have cultivated a repeat buyer community via Instagram, largely by sharing my own journey of life. My mom (who, along with her mom were my inspirations for selling Native American and other jewelry) were my inspirations. Mom died in early Feb at age 97 (almost 98!) and she was a frequent model on IG. I do believe in using models who are accessible and who resonate with your audience.
AntikeReisekultur
·2 years agoThanks for this topic!
Vintage & antique stuff will always have a special place in my heart. What I buy at the flea markets, but can no longer be accommodated in my own house, I sell
ArtEshuck
·2 years agoPlease enter my shop I sell a special and unique fine gold jewelleries
you can find me under ArtEshuck
AntiquesAtlanta
·2 years agoHannah, I couldn’t agree with you more. Vintage & Antique items have stood the test of time from Vintage Apparel & Furniture to Decorative household items like China, Porcelain, linens, Silverware & Art. For example, Vintage Mahogany Furniture with its warm patina & sturdy build is much more durable than pallet wood items. I really enjoy sharing my Vintage & Antique treasures in my Shop with Buyers looking for unique items to furnish their homes or add to their collection.
StaticPaper
·2 years agoThank you for a very nice article. I am also very happy to visit your very beautiful and successful vintage pages.
StyleJunkieAntiques
·2 years agoHannah, I agree with you.
During my professional career, I wore vintage.
I was lucky to have a skillful tailor when needed.
My collection of vintage and antique buttons also came in handy.
The price of quality clothing is often unaffordable, so considering vintage can be a wise choice.
weaversofspeech
·2 years agoIn the early late 70's my first wife and I lived in a older home the University we attended owned. 4th yr we moved downstairs to a smaller apt. The University told us we could store items in the attached garage if I cleaned it out
Did so and found 2 old postcards circa 1910. Found them fascinating and led to collecting then becoming a dealer
Selling at first it was a hodgepodge of items but soon started specializing in Postcards Old Toys Advertising and items weird and unusual
40 yrs later still going strong
I love everything about Vintage. The endless search for items selling and the people I have met along the way
There is so much to collecting be it a small and inexpensive item to large and expensive items. To many it has struck a chord from their past a favorite childhood memory reminders of folk they have known etc Does not matter what it is if it gives someone satisfaction it is worth it
Collecting can evoke many feelings within one Seeing something can bring up fond memories good experiences and at times bad or sad ones
I have had stores done markets and done many shows. I have seen many forms of emotion doing so. May be a brief feeling or something that strikes one and gives the incentive to explore further
Some of my favorite times is dealing with folk who really do not understand the pull of these things to some. Have never really thought of it for some
Have had times folk who seem very grumpy come up don't understand At times ask for info and while talking I often see a glint in their eyes that remind them of their past. Especially with Old Toys They start to remember a childhood item a smile comes to them and their whole demeaner will change while talking to me. At times I hear very touching memories
At times see items that evoke sad memories such as losing someone. I have had folk become very emotional and start crying. (Always a joy having that happen those passing by look and I can hear them thinking YOU BEAST!!!! what did you do)? *Chuckle
Some get the info then move on but others can become very excited to the point it becomes comical
The thrill of the Hunt can become very strong too. As much as I like selling the hunt is the main thing. Finding something you did not expect to see can be a real thrill. In my years doing this I have found items I never expected to see in person and at times buy them. At times I can remain very calm but at times I will express emotions I never expected to do. IE Shaking Tongue Tied being silly etc
Finding something at times gives me great satisfaction
Doing this is something I am greatful for discovering Cannot see myself doing anything else. Over the years I blended this business with part time teaching I am now retired and hope to continue doing so in the coming years til it is time to go
weavers
ShamayimShop
·2 years agoI really loved that! I have the ShamayimShop with my fiber art designs but I'm considering opening a vintage home decor shop too with my vintages finds. Really think in the future we will merge the idea of 2hand and the new. There is so much beauty created in the world already. We just need vehicles to share it. Thank you for doing that!
BluecrayonBoutique
·2 years agoI love love love everything in this post Bad Vintage Tourist!
I love vintage. I love originality and authenticity - be or modern. It just happens to be that most of items fall into the “Vintage category”.
what I love about older items, when they go round and round through person to person, we are keeping the history of all our peoples alive
Through our more vintage and older items, comes story telling, no?
thank you for posting!
Cheryl
HappyHeatherVintage
·2 years agoLove Love Love vintage clothing. In most cases people overlook these items at estate sales and garage sales. I hear people say: I wore that when I was 12, its so ugly no one will want that. Or my grandma wore that. OH Yes she did, and she looked great!!! You can usually get the items fairly inexpensively also. I tend to collect more than sell, but if a piece is just amazing and priced perfectly (low) and not my size I will still pick it up and try and find someone who loves it just as much as I do. We are buying clothes from back in the day and they are still holding up and look great, just shows the quality, design and workmanship.
Finally, a thread on vintage-keep them coming!!
SoulfulVintage
·2 years agoLove your insights - thank you. I truly love the hunt for one of a kind vintage treasures, and showcasing their beauty in my photographs brings me joy.
Nuttygalsvintage
·2 years agoThanks for your post on vintage! Vintage is the way!!!!
LittlemixAntique
·2 years agoTaking pictures of vintage clothes in the bedroom with a smartphone? sorry but it's not for me. however, I like your positivity and wish you the best and successful sales
TazamarazVintage
·2 years agoMy love of old stuff started as a pre teen when would spend the summers on Cape Cod. There wasn't a lot of shopping choices back in the 1960s antique stores or gift shops were it. I loved going through the antique stores and have been hooked ever since. After I retired, I thought it would be fun to find great things for other people. I don't sell clothing just small things that catch my eye.
Thank you for sharing your insights!
HauteVintageJewels
·2 years agoI've been selling vintage and antique jewelry and accessories here on Etsy for ten years now. Many years ago, I never would have thought to buy vintage jewelry. My thought then was that everything had to be brand new to have any value or style. From my many years of collecting and research, I discovered a love for old, unique pieces with a history. The quality of vintage jewelry just can't be duplicated today in my opinion, and it would be cost prohibitive to attempt. I look at modern, mass-produced jewelry now and it's such a turn off. I'm hooked for life on vintage and antique gems!
LookBackVintage
·2 years agoCollector here since my 20s so a very long time. Have come across many very cool, beautiful and weird items in my vintage searches! Always fun to find something from my childhood or someone else's childhood. I have racks of vintage clothing that I just haven't gotten around to getting into my shop but I do list a piece here and there. I sold a woman's coat recently that was constructed beautifully. My goal for this year is to get more of those clothing pieces listed!
TheIDconnection
·2 years agoThank you, Hannah, for celebrating vintage items! As a seller since 2008, with nearly 6k in sales, Vintage is my passion! Over the years, my shop has evolved into an eclectic collection, with a focus on jewelry, Mid-Century Modern decor, and Vintage Christmas items. Your acknowledgment is truly appreciated by all of us sellers who are dedicated to bringing timeless treasures to the Etsy community. Let's keep infusing the Etsy world with that unique vintage charm!
TheIDConnection
ArtPaintingsPlaza
·2 years agoExcellent information, thank you for this!
VagabondsRelics
·2 years agoLove to sell vintage items from yesteryear. It's terrific when someone reaches out to let me know they loved the Trinket or Treasure!! It is really awesome when they share a story about why they purchased the item. One of my favorite story's from a customer was he was excited to get the item because he was giving it to his Mom....because he had broken that particular item when he was a little boy and 40 years later was finally replacing it.
DougsVintageStore
·2 years agoIve been a lover of vintage since I was a teenager, my parents taught me to appreciate what lasts. My Mom would also put away my toys in their boxes when I was tired of them. Decades later I learned most of them were still there for me to love again.
Selling vintage here is very rewarding. To get a message from a person that got teary eyed as they held their purchase again after so many years of missing it and not knowing they did, is great!
MagaCreazioni
·2 years agoI find that in the vintage category one can add much to our culture and the way people remember and see the world. Vintage pieces always have a story and adding this story to the description of the object conveys knowledge and cooperates to maintaining our collective culture. I have lived as a child in the States and then I have come back to Italy where my family originally came from. On all the vintage pieces I find here and deem interesting to put on sale I do research, when I do not know where they come from. No object is orphan in my shop. Many vintage pieces are broken or have little defects, chips and sometimes missing pieces. I love to restore them. In doing so I learn how they are made and I can add my little piece of experience to something beautiful which might have been thrown away. When you see RESTORED on an item do not skip it, it has the experience of who is selling it inside and surely it is more beautiful than when it was made. Thank you for the attention.
PatsysPantryandMore
·2 years agoI started collecting in my teens...and can't stop. So now that I'm retired I have enough....so enjoy hunting for those retro pieces for others. Vintage finds are timeless and have so much character!
CodysKorner
·2 years agoVintage is something not just the older folks seem interested in but younger ones are learning to appreciate the look quality and feel of old. Love doing what I do whether it is someone buying something because it reminds them of their mother or replacing a hard to find piece~ vintage represents artistic unique and timeless treasures!
FoundAndFlogged
·2 years agoHi Hannah, love your shop.
I'm Ed Short from Found And Flogged. We don't do clothing, but we've been selling a huge eclectic mix of vintage and antique items from France since 2015. We try to cater for all tastes and budgets as far as we can, and have made many friends along the way.
After 9 years af hard work, Ella and I are now fairly knowledgable across a variety of different types of antique, and are always looking for appealing things we haven't sold before to broaden our experience, and of course our client base.
Feel free to have a brouse around, and if you see anything you like, shout me up for a price and we'll do our very best for you.
Have a great weekend everyone.
AldfordForVintage
·2 years agoI love to go out treasure hunting for wonderful vintage finds.
The joy of giving something a new life is brilliant.
Your shop is lovely.
InegalVintageDecor
·2 years agoI am a Francophone from Quebec, Canada, and am old enough to vividly remember the colorful decor and furniture of the 60s, the wild fashion and vibrant colors of the 70s, and the bold hairstyles and neon acrylic jewelry of the 80s. Needless to say, grooviness flows through my veins! Inegal Vintage came to life a few years ago and my focus right now is into home textile, although I still offer home decor and fashion pieces.
I am blessed to be surrounded by a bountiful supply of home textiles from the 1950s to the 1980s. Canada, and Quebec in particular, was the cradle of textile manufacturers such as Wabasso, Dominion Textile, Celanese, DuPont, and more. Almost every household in my area had sheets, rugs, curtains, or fabric from one of these companies.
My love for textiles is rooted in the colors, textures, and pure beauty of the materials. No contemporary curtain beats the class and elegance of a barkcloth drapery, the glamour and dramatic flair of a fiberglass pleated panel, or the madness of abstract or floral prints bigger than life. No bedding is more comfortable than a 40-year-old sheet with its thick percale, just the right amount of wear, providing incomparable softness and freshness to the touch.
My buyers are so grateful to find something that is far from the cookie cutter beige and grey textile that are on the market in the big stores and I love knowing they will admire them everyday, for a long time.
FairytalerealmStore
·2 years agoWonderful reminder of how some clothing and furnishings stand the test of time. Hannah has such amazing variants in taste. I love old sets of china and tablesettings. I repair them and research the stories of their origins. Some little town in England has one furnace and kiln but produces these rich intricate patterns of lustrous china. I enjoy a customer who rejoices in finding the last plate to compete a set or hearing how their Grandmother had the plates. Thanks for the great article. Kyle
AfterTheToneShop
·2 years agoWe LOVE this Hannah! Thank you for sharing your story, a lot of people resonate with it. "Why buy new when you can buy a better made, original version and make it your own? " We couldn't have said it better! Sending your store lots of love!
DesDesVintage
·2 years agoI still wear and have many of my vintage finds from when I first bought them. They still look great and I wear them ( some sadly too small :)) I loved wearing different clothes, that is probably why I started buying vintage clothes from the moment I was able to go shopping for myself. I was not one to follow trends and look like everyone. I wear vintage all the time, from UN meetings for work, to weddings, to parties or running errands. I hardly go shopping for new items. I used to only buy for myself, but people kept asking me where I bought what I was wearing even on the street. So I decided to also buy the vintage clothing I use to leave behind with the hope of passing it on to someone else for the sake of circular economy and fashion. So I am a reluctant vintage clothing seller. My passion lies in interior design, art and home decor. So I decided to split my shops into two and started to sell my existing inventory in my new shop DesDesVintageFashion since last fall. When it comes to vintage fashion quality matters and I never bother with anything I would not wear or use myself. My photos don’t do the pieces justice I must admit - Switzerland is a great place to source quality vintage clothing. Those Swiss ladies knew how to dress very well back then. Quality also does not necessarily mean designer brands. In fact I have some fabulous clothing that is tailored made or couture, made of best fabric and materials.
These past 6-7years, it has become more acceptable, if not fashionable to buy and wear vintage. So it is more difficult to find quality and unique pieces, That is okay though, it means they are being used and not ending in landfill. My worry is the endless fast fashion that has filled charity shops but no one wants …. Poor quality that won’t survive much long.
There are amazing vintage clothing shops here on Etsy - I have bought a few myself and if I allow myself I could spend all day browsing looking at all the great pieces!
if anyone has a tip on how to better photograph clothing especially dresses, without modeling, would love to hear it.
SassydoggsVintage
·2 years agoThank you Hannah for highlighting the fabulous selection of vintage on Etsy. My secret passion that drives my collecting is my love for patina. By patina, I mean graceful aging that is like old wine. It is the age spots on old metals, and the fading and spider webby marks on the interiors of the best Shiny Brite glass ornaments. I love the colors and softness of worn denim. There is something special about the best patina that separates an item that is merely vintage by age. But simple objects with patina need to be used in moderation. My taste is a combination of clean lines, great art, fabulous one of a kind artisan made objects to mix and match. Patina might be an acquired taste though, so all of the treasures I have collected over the years that did not work out for keeping for myself, go into my Etsy shop. The finds that I really love never or rarely make it to my shop ( so you might not find patina there). But who knows. It is wonderful that everybody has different tastes. The classics that stand the test of time are always good long term investments . For me, the layers of age that some of my favorites display are just a bonus, and a source of enjoyment in my life.
coolclobber
·2 years agoIt’s so good to see a thread dedicated to Vintage, and Hannah, I have just taken a look at your shop and it’s great! I have been selling on Etsy for around a decade and sell clothes that I love, mainly from the 50s 60s 70s 80s and 90s. As I was a 50s child, I am more than happy to re-visit styles that I enjoyed the first time round! I would love to see Etsy promoting our Vintage shops more, as sometimes I think that we are not celebrated in the same way as the Craft makers, yet our shops generate healthy sales and commission for Etsy. Nevertheless, I am very happy on this platform, both as a seller and as a buyer. So, cheers to all my fellow lovers of Vintage fashion….all of our shops are wonderful!
GraciedotBling
·2 years agofor me I sell antique jewellery and so never underestimate the 'that will never sell' it might not be near perfect or something that appears so out of your taste you think it will never sell. There is always someone who wants to complete a collection or it reminds them of their own past - my mother/grandmother wore the same thing when I was a child. Always take that chance and put it on to sell because you never know.
JBPacrat
·2 years agoI love shopping for and sharing beautiful old costume jewelry pieces. I grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, once known as the jewelry capitol of the world. Most of our neighbors and relatives made their living in the industry including my mom. I honor her with every precious piece I hold.
VintageLakeshore
·2 years agoLoved seeing all great vintage shops. Vintage brings memories and yes great quality items saved from land fill and cherished again!
pHashIONpassION
·2 years agoBTV,
Very happy to see a pinned thread about vintage clothing. I have always been a "clothes horse" and when I was a working woman, I loved to shop.
The MAD MEN TV series really started my interest in vintage. I have sold numerous pieces from my own collection and my father's items (deceased).
I specialize in deadstock clothing. I love finding pieces that are unworn or with tags.
Cheers to all the vinties on Etsy!
Mm
pHashIONpassION
·2 years agoBTV,
Very happy to see a pinned thread about vintage clothing. I have always been a "clothes horse" and when I was a working woman, I loved to shop.
The MAD MEN TV series really started my interest in vintage. I have sold numerous pieces from my own collection and my father's items (deceased).
I specialize in deadstock clothing. I love finding pieces that are unworn or with tags.
Cheers to all the vinties on Etsy!
Mm
pHashIONpassION
·2 years agoWhere is the EDIT button?
ArtistycaPrints
·2 years agoWe sell vintage digital art pieces - digitally restored - and we see that vintage art definitely stands the time passing by. It is still really appreciated and chosen for any kind of home decor style (from the most modern to the more 'Victorian' one) and occasion, then still bringing its inner beauty in our homes!
We are happy to see that!
maliasmark
·2 years agoSelling vintage is the best! Not only are we saving items from the land fill but we're putting smiles on peoples faces. They are so happy to find these pieces that were lost from their past. So many people are tired of disposable items and vintage items were made to last. People actually want to use these items and they are completely ready to keep being used for years to come even though they are already 50+ years old.
maliasmark
·2 years agoSelling vintage is the best! Not only are we saving items from the land fill but we're putting smiles on peoples faces. They are so happy to find these pieces that were lost from their past. So many people are tired of disposable items and vintage items were made to last. People actually want to use these items and they are completely ready to keep being used for years to come even though they are already 50+ years old.
AglowCraftDesigns
·2 years agoTotally agree!
PaulineandJennie
·2 years agoWell said, Hannah! What brought me to starting a vintage linen shop was my disappointment with the quality of affordable bedding that is being sold today. Thank you for your post. My very best wishes are coming your way! :))
GingerBrownVintage
·2 years agoHi Hannah, really appreciate the article. Vintage clothing is often waaaaayyy better quality despite being older, more likely to look better on and can really be a sustainable way to keep your closet fresh and waste to a minimum.
At GingerBrownVintage, I try to keep in mind that by preserving clothing or items, you are preserving someone's story and creating another for the future. Who knows? That old mesh tank top someone's dad wore, may be the perfect concert top this summer.
I also like a challenge so, I often think..."What else can someone do with this?" "How can it be elevated or elevate something already treasured?"
Finally, even if you aren't into the whole vintage vibe...there's always one special piece that has been waiting for that one special person...the romance writes itself!
Keeping my collections true to the ideas of quality, preservation and elevation-help my vintage items stand the test of time.
.