By Kames Narayanan

Vestiaire Collective Adds The Sophistication To Shopping Pre-loved Fashion

All it takes is some light finger-work

In partnership with Vestiaire Collective

Fashion is cyclical, and the inspiration for today’s trends often pull from the past. Of late, the needle has been transfixed in the sensibilities of the Noughties, or Y2K in internet speak. 

Ironically, the once-cringey era of dressing has been rehashed from fashion’s burn book in a big way. The hallmarks of the ’00s—think: the Canadian tuxedo, itty bitty crop tops, low rise jeans—have unarguably taken over wardrobes across the globe. Just look at supermodel Bella Hadid, the poster girl for vintage dressing, who has been spotted in an enviable array of ace looks from Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Lacoste and more, for her everyday outfits.  

Yes, the renaissance of vintage fashion is upon us, and the trends of yesteryears have gained a stronghold on the way people shop. According to Vestiaire Collective’s 2022 Impact Report, 33 million people bought their first piece of pre-loved clothing in 2020. By 2025, the resale industry is projected to grow 11 times faster than the new clothing industry. 

As vintage clothing gains social currency, secondhand shopping, too, is increasingly taking precedence over fresh off the runway purchases. However, trawling through endless racks of musky, crammed, and oftentimes uninspiring hand-me-down clothing with the diminishing hope of landing a gem may not be a sport fit for everyone. 

Enter: Vestiaire Collective. Since its conception in 2009, the global luxury resale marketplace has found itself at the forefront of the conversation surrounding circular fashion. Their work in the luxury resale industry has turned even the heads of fashion conglomerate Kering—the owner of fashion heavy hitters like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Alexander McQueen—which acquired a 5% share in the company in 2021. The move marked a monumental shift in luxury fashion, and throughout the years, the platform has revolutionised both the buying and selling of pre-loved luxury clothing with unbeatable convenience.

Unlike the laborious search for a grail at a timeworn brick-and-mortar, all it takes is some light finger-work on Vestiaire Collective’s mobile application to land yourself a piece of fashion history. Vestiaire Collective’s exponentially growing marketplace is built by an impressive community of 23 million like-minded fashion aficionados from more than 50 countries. Amongst the extensive catalogue—a gold mine of more than 5 million listings from 11,000 brands across the globe—are an assortment of ready-to-wear, shoes, and accessories that hark back to Tom Ford-era Saint Laurent, vintage Vivienne Westwood, and Louis Vuitton hailing from Marc Jacobs’s reign. 

Admittedly, shopping for pre-loved luxury goods often begs the question of authenticity. And not many amongst us can claim to be industry experts capable of discerning a dupe from the real deal. At Vestiaire Collective, you can opt for the authenticity and quality control checks by a team of quality and authentication specialists for your peace of mind. With over 750 hours of training by world-renowned luxury experts, these experts boast a near-perfect (99.99%) accuracy.

Holding authenticity as its watchword, Vestiaire Collective inaugurated its “Brand Approved” programme in 2021. The initiative sees the resale platform joining forces with luxury powerhouses to rehome pre-loved items sourced directly from their faithful consumers. Brands like Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, Courrèges, Paco Rabanne, and e-commerce giants Mytheresa, and LuisaViaRoma count towards Vestiaire Collective’s burgeoning list of partnerships. 

The latest of its efforts also sees the platform playing host to French luxury maison Chloé’s year-long pilot project: Chloé Vertical. Designed to streamline the resale process, every piece from the brand’s spring/summer 2023 collection is outfitted with a QR code. With a quick scan, consumers can eventually list their purchases directly for sale on Vestiaire Collective. The effects of such affiliations are double-barrelled—not only does it lend added legitimacy to the items listed for sale, it also further fuels the circular economy.

Being a part of the circular fashion ecosystem is made instantaneous by Vestiaire Collective. It is just as easy to let go of your past season buys as it is to cart-out your next great pre-loved fashion buy. Snap a few pictures, fill out the item details form (the luxury e-tailer even offers pricing suggestions), and when your listing is sold, arrange for a pickup through the mobile app. No heavy-lifting required. 

Shopping for secondhand clothing, as Vestiaire Collective would have it, could be a sophisticated, fuss-free experience—you just have to know where to look.

Here, GRAZIA Singapore’s editors pick their hot favourites on Vestiaire Collective right now.

1. Alexander Mcqueen knuckle leather clutch, S$3,300.99

“Own a piece of fashion history with this gorgeous crystal-embellished Alexander McQueen clutch. It will add an instant touch of glamour to any outfit and I just love the knuckleduster detail that gives it an edginess that is just as relevant today as it was when this style was released.” —Pakkee Tan, Editor-in-Chief

2.  Marni pony-style calfskin sandals, $703.12

“When I get dressed, it’s always a matter of balancing good taste and “bad” taste. These bright, hoof-esque Marni slides don’t take themselves too seriously.” —Gregory Woo, Fashion Editor

3. Tiffany & Co watch in pink gold, $16,226.78

“I won’t need to choose between a watch or jewellery for everyday wear—this piece can be both! This vintage manual wind lapel watch exudes a classic air with its ornate bow, subtle gold sheen, and Breguet hands and numerals.” —Zara Zhuang, Watches & Jewellery Editor

4. Chloé t-shirt, $445.85

“Stella McCartney’s time at Chloé always focused on fun, kooky and sexy pieces and this pineapple t-shirt from the SS01 collection is the prime example of what a generation of people like me love the most: a sense of fashion that has megawatt maximalism, but is still surprisingly wearable.” —Bryan Goh, Beauty Director

5. Peter Do necklace,  $398.29

“It feels like a new way to accessorise; look past its functional limitations and towards its aesthetic allure, this can be the one time function follow form.” —Marisa Yuen, Associate Art Director