How To Find The Best Vintage Clothes On eBay

If you’ve been following my blog for a while then you’ll know that I’m pretty obsessed with vintage clothes. It all started when my nan handed me a patent leather, Louis Feraud belt when I was 12 and I haven’t really looked back since. In fact I would say a good 50% of my wardrobe is vintage and it’s way better quality than anything I’ve picked up on the high street. This is why scrolling through eBay has become such a habit for me, because I can get a Hardy Aimes blazer cheaper than a tee at H&M.

I post everything I pick up on my Instagram and I get loads of questions from you guys about how I find the best pieces and what I search for. It’s actually way easier than you might think but I’ve put a few of my go-to tips below that I think you’ll find really useful.

Select The Vintage Clothes Category

This is the number one thing I would say to do as the true vintage pieces tend to be listed here. It’s so simple but once you’ve searched for your item you need to make sure that you’re looking in the ‘Vintage Clothing & Accessories’ category. I would then narrow it down further by clicking ‘Women’s Vintage Clothing’ or whichever one is more applicable to your search. I know this is really simple but sometimes eBay will default your search into the ‘Women’s Clothing’ category and you’ll miss out on all the vintage!

Search For An Exact Item or Decade

There is so much on eBay that it’s really worth getting specific with your search, especially if you don’t have hours to scroll through items. For example rather than looking for a vintage dress try ‘1920s style dress’ or ‘flapper dress’ to narrow it down. You can also search by decade, like ‘1970s’ and then select the ‘Women’s Vintage Clothing’ category to find pieces from your favourite era.

Shop By Size

I love shopping for vintage blazers but if they’re too big the shoulders can look a bit crazy so I always include my size in the search. This helps to eliminate all the pieces that would be too big or small for me so that I’m only looking at garments that fit. That being said I don’t mind them being slightly oversized so I search ‘vintage blazer 8, 10, 12’ which brings up all the items in the sizes I’m looking for.

Consider Alterations

If you find something that’s one of a kind but it’s not in your size then it’s 100% worth investing in alterations. Some vintage pieces are so timeless and going to a tailor is a great way to get them updated. It may be a little pricey, but if you’re going to wear it forever then it’s a good investment.

Remember The Brands You Love

I’ve made a list on my phone of all the vintage brands I love, especially the ones that I know are great quality, to help narrow down my search. Some of my faves are Escada, St. Michael and Louis Feraud but there are some great brands that I forget about so it’s always worth noting them down.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For More Pictures

As a lot of the listings on eBay are by regular people and not shops some of the listings may not have the best pictures. I’ve asked loads of times for people to send me more and 90% of the time they reply because they want to sell their item.  Don’t be afraid to ask for close ups or specific angles either so that you know exactly what it looks like.

Or For Measurements

One of the hardest things about shopping online in general is finding clothes that fit but vintage clothes can be particularly tricky. There’s quite a few listings with vague sizes too like ‘medium’ which doesn’t really mean anything, so I’d definitely ask the seller for measurements. This is especially good for high waisted, vintage jeans or skirts that you want to sit really tight around your waist.

Save Your Searches And Favourite Sellers

There’s this really great feature on eBay where you can save your favourite sellers and searches. This is so useful as all your categories and shipping preferences will be saved too. I use this a lot for my favourite brands or if I’m looking for a specific thing as I can just click on my favourite search and it’ll bring up all the new items. It also works for eBay sellers, so if you find a great vintage shop you can save it to your profile too.

Get The App

This is dangerous but also amazing and I’ve found some of my most loved pieces on the train home from work. The eBay app is way easier than shopping on the desktop version and it also means you can bid on items when you’re not at home. It’s also free so there’s no excuses.

These are the basics and as much as they’re really simple tips I hope they’ll help you guys to find some great vintage pieces. I love shopping on eBay and I also love that it’s totally sustainable and saving lots of clothes from landfill. Which makes me feel way better about spending too much money… whoops!

The dress I’m wearing in this post is vintage Mondi and the belt is vintage Escada both from eBay. My bag is vintage Dior, which was a hand-me-down from my grandmother but I’m sure you could find one on eBay too!

  

Advertisement

How To Wear Corduroy In 2018

Last weekend I went to London for my mum’s photography exhibition and it was right around the corner from this shop called YMC. The whole way there my mum was questioning my rust coloured, corduroy jacket so you can imagine how smug I was that the whole shop window was rust corduroy. There were coats, trousers, dungarees and even a matching cap for total cord overkill.

Despite my new found outfit confidence, corduroy isn’t something I ever thought I would wear or ever thought would be in fashion. I used to work at M&S and the only people who bought cord were men in their 80s for gardening purposes. Chic. This season though it’s officially a ‘thing’ and in particular rust coloured cord jackets which i’m totally on board with. Now don’t get me wrong, this definitely isn’t the first trend I’ve slagged off and am now wearing but like the fashion slave I am, I’m so glad I went for it.

If I’ve convinced you to add some cord pieces to your wardrobe then I’ve got a few tips to share to make the fabric look as flattering as possible. The biggest issue is that it’s really thick and wearing the wrong shape can make you look a bit frumpy. It’s important to find a silhouette that suits you but I’d suggest going for something that either draws in your waist or elongates your frame.

If you’re going for trousers a high waisted pair that are slightly cropped would be the most flattering as they’ll help to give you more of an hourglass shape and your legs some definition. For jackets pick something cropped or one like mine that you can draw in or wear open. No matter what you go for just make sure that it fits really well and doesn’t add bulk to areas that you’d rather your clothes skim over.

In terms of colour I don’t think there are any rules. Rust is a major trend but something bright and colourful could look just as cool so it’s worth being creative. One thing I will say though is to avoid cord that looks really shiny or that’s stretchy as it’s often the sign of a way cheaper material and it never looks as good in pics.

My cord rules aside, let’s not take it too seriously. There’s always that one trend every season that divides people but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it out or experiment with it. On the plus side you could always raid your grampy’s wardrobe for a cool piece if you don’t think it’s worth investing in, am I right?…

Topshop Denim Dress Of Dreams

After a fun but busy day at the Polo yesterday (pictures coming soon!) I’m more than ready for a blog writing session in my PJ’s today.  This week I’m back with another look from Topshop Cardiff and it’s this gorgeous denim dress with a polka dot blouse layered underneath. It has a zip at the front so you just put it on like a jacket, which I love as it’s way easier than having it at the back. I also love pieces like this that you can layer up as it gives you more options for when it’s not as warm. I paired it with my sock boots, also from Topshop that I just can’t stop wearing at the moment. I think they’re about to fall apart but they’ve been so useful. I definitely need to find a replacement soon!

  ^{click to shop: dress / blouse} 

Topshop Cardiff Haul SS18

Hey everyone, hope you’ve all had the best weekend! I’ve pretty much spent mine the same way I always do… drinking coffee, eating too much and taking blog pics, so good! I’ve also been trying to get back into youtube and create a few more videos for my channel. This weeks is a Topshop haul and I’m beyond obsessed with these pieces. They’re all perfect for the summer and really affordable so they’re great for updating your wardrobe on a budget! Let me know what you think…

I Can’t Believe This Coat Was £20

Last month on my way to the Hotel Indigo launch I had some time to kill and went in search of a mirror that I could touch up my make in. Turns out my makeup was fine but the Zara coat I was wearing definitely wasn’t. Basically my work bag is leather and I think where it had been raining the dye had run all over my shoulder. It was like a big muddy handprint all down one side of me and as much as I’m hoping that happened on the way there, I was probably sat at work all day looking pretty trampy. So it’s very lucky that I found this pink New Look coat because it’s in exactly the same colour and made for an easy switch. It was also only £20 in the sale which is beyond incredible and I literally haven’t taken it off since. My favourite thing though? That it’s fully lined!! I haven’t seen a lined coat on the high street in forever and it’s my pet peeve…

   

coat – new look // t shirt – h&m // dress – toyshop // boots –  toyshop // bag – autography

photography // sarah barnes

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Snowy Rarebit

 I finally made it outside today! I literally can’t tell you how bloody happy I was to get out of my house. This storm is driving me a little bit crazy and I’ve realised that snow days as an adult definitely aren’t as fun as snow days when you’re a kid. Mainly because I had to work from home and couldn’t spend all day in the park throwing snowballs at my friends…

I was sent home on Wednesday because the pipes had frozen and worked from home on Thurs and Fri as it was too much effort to get to a coffee shop. I think that’s the longest I’ve ever spent inside! I’m the polar opposite of a home bird and it was definitely a struggle.  So glad I made it to the park today though! It’s amazing how beautiful everything looks in white and I have a million times more energy just from getting some fresh air. My mum, little brother and I also dug out our neighbours drive for them, which got us out the house and helped me to burn off all the tea and biscuits I’ve been eating.

As beautiful as the snow is, I’ve got my pics now so I’ll be glad when it melts and I can get back to normal… might miss my snow beau though.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

A Fashion Bloggers Guide to Buying Second Hand Designer on Ebay

Finding a bargain piece on eBay makes me feel like I’ve won the fashion lottery, every time it happens. It’s almost as good as picking up a Furla bag in a charity shop for £3.50 because none of the grannies who work there know what it is. These purchases don’t happen everyday but when they do, it feels bloody amazing. As I’ve had my fair share of lucky finds and an eBay account for nearly 10years (I started early), I thought it would be cool to write up a fashion bloggers guide to buying second hand designer on eBay, to help my readers out too.

Do your research: It’s good to know what you’re looking for and to have some background knowledge on the particular item or designer first. Often fakes are really easy to spot but you don’t what to get ripped off paying more than retail either, so your best bet is to get clued up way before you hit eBay.

Focus on one brand/item at a time: Just looking at shoes or bags as a whole will take you months to sift through so you need to get specific about what you want. For example, if you love the Phillip Lim bags searching ‘Phillip Lim bag’ would be good but it’s better to know the exact item e.g. ‘Phillip Lim Pashli bag’ as this will bring you the best results.

Look for real pictures: This may sound like a weird thing to say but if the listing has stock images from a website and it’s not a retailer, then chances are it’s not the item you’re ACTUALLY buying. Especially if the description says it’s second hand, you know it’s not going to be in mint condition. Ask the seller for snaps of the exact item and if they don’t want to send them to you, then it’s likely it’s dodgy.

Save it: Ebay has a function where you can save your favourite searches and sellers for later, so that you can keep checking for new listings. Say you’re searching for a ‘Furla Metropolis Bag’ save your search including location (if you don’t want to pay for shipping for example you can set it to UK only), the maximum price, colour etc. and then check on it once a week for anything new or any discounts. You can also follow your favourite sellers which is good if you find someone who loves the same designer as you and likes to clear out their wardrobe often!

Be prepared to wait: I once watched a Kenzo bag for months. At the beginning the price was £300 and I kept on watching until she reduced it to £60. Often if people really want to get rid of something you can offer them a bit less too and by waiting you’ll figure out if it’s something you still really want.

Don’t be shy about contacting the seller: Designer items are always going to be a little bit more expensive and therefore more risky to buy. If you need some extra info or reassurance the option is there for you to contact the seller and you should use this function as much as you need to. Whether thats for more pictures, to see a proof of purchase or just for piece of mind, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Avoiding Fakes: Obviously this will depend on what you’re buying but there are a few tell tale signs that something isn’t quite what it seems. One of the most popular scams is listing fakes with just a picture of the bag (so you recognise it) but the seller won’t put the brand name in the title to avoid getting caught my eBay. This is because if a fake bag were to be listed under the name of a real one, e.g. “Gucci Dionysus” and eBay saw that it was a fake not only would they take it town but the seller would lose their account. As long as you search your specific item, you’ll likely avoid this but it’s good to be aware. This doesn’t mean that all items listed are real though, so you still need to be really careful. If you’ve done your research and still aren’t sure then you might want to try out using a authenticator service online. You can send them the link to the item and they’ll give you their professional opinion on whether or not it’s legit. This isn’t free but if you’re making a bigger purchase, it’s 100% worth it. Designers like Chanel or Hermes are sold for crazy prices on the second hand market but are also copied on a mass scale so it may be hard for you to tell the difference.

Chanel bags cost more than £5: If the price is too good to be true then it’s probably fake, as much as a bargain purchase can happen it’s very rare and if something looks shady, it probably is. Don’t be lured in and always do your research. I recently picked up a Karl Lagerfeld bag for £40 which is a bargain but not crazy unbelievable, if I found a Chanel for this price though I would know it was dodgy.

Open a case: If you purchase something and it arrives not as described, in bad condition or you think it’s fake then you can open a case with eBay and they’ll help you to resolve the problem. This is obviously worse case scenario but it’s worth knowing that you’re covered just in case.

If it’s the real deal but you don’t like it, you’re not getting a refund: Something else worth mentioning is that eBay doesn’t work like ASOS. There’s no free returns and you can’t just send it back if you don’t like it. Provided everything is legit and it’s as described the seller probably won’t take a return, so just make sure you really want it or would be prepared to sell it on before you buy.

I hope you liked these tips and that you found them useful! Let me know if you have any tricks of your own or if you try these out and pick something up. I’ve also written a post on other places to buy second hand designer online here if you’re interested.

Winter Outfit Inspiration – Casual Sock Boots

Just before Christmas I had an email from JD Williams asking if I wanted to collaborate on a post and I was SO excited. Initially I was thinking of writing about party shoes (glittery heels included) and putting together some outfit inspo for you guys but then I stumbled onto the ankle boots section and completely forgot all about that. I’m a little bit obsessed when it comes to boots, in fact I already have way too many but there’s just something about a classic boot that’s so versatile, so they always seem like a good investment. These boots are from the Violeta range by Mango and are a casual nod to the sock boot trend that is very much hanging around. Just way more comfy than the stiletto kind! I love how chic they are too and really pull together this everyday outfit with very minimal effort.

“I think this outfit is very reflective of that too. This is everyday me, not too dressy. It’s just comfort paired with great accessories.”

Just before the new year I felt like I was loosing my creative juice a little bit and I’ve also been struggling to find time (as always) to create new content for this blog. Sometimes getting caught up in comparing yourself to other people can really kill your vibe too but I’m finally learning to zone that out and remember why I started Style Rarebit in the first place. Because I love blogging!

I think this outfit is very reflective of that. This is everyday me, not too dressy. Just comfort paired with great accessories which is pretty much my go to philosophy when it comes to getting dressed. I think we would all agree that the number one goal is to look totally polished without having to make much effort at all. This look is essentially jeans and a jumper but tying a satin ribbon around my waist and dressing it up with a blazer is the perfect way to cheat looking like you’ve made loads of effort. I think that’s why the boots work so well too, being structured they are the perfect day boot if you want to look put together. They also look super expensive and the unusual heel (that metallic is everything!) means they add extra interest if you’re wearing plain clothes. They’re also on sale right now so even more of an incentive to pick them up… I love them with my mom jeans too as they’re tight on the ankle they sit really well underneath and give the illusion that my legs are slimmer.

If you take nothing else from this post just get to investing in some good boots this season that will totally dress up a zero effort look. Maybe even two pairs?

Shop boots here

Photographs by Sarah Barnes

 

SaveSave

SaveSave

Christmas Party Outfit Tips #thisisnewlook

“Tis the season and I plan on taking full advantage of every party I’m invited to so that I get to wear this outfit again…”

Christmas party dressing should NEVER feel like a chore, if anything it’s something to totally revel in. I feel like fashion at the moment dictates a way more relaxed and casual feel and more and more girls are opting for flat shoes and baggy trousers than ever before. This time of year totally overrides all trends though and there isn’t a store on the high street not offering some glitz.

Dressing up can feel a little bit overwhelming, especially if your don’t do it often but I think the most important thing is just to have fun with it. When finding the right dress it mainly comes down to the fit though, so you’re going to have to do some trying on! A good tip is to figure out your body shape (pear, apple etc), what you want to accentuate (boobies, bums) and what you want to skim over (for me it’s tummy and legs!). Knowing the shape of dress you’re looking for will be really helpful in narrowing your search and will make the trying on stage way less stressful.

The New Look Christmas range is full of gorgeous dresses in literally every shape, fabric and style imaginable, so you’re bound to find something! I love this star print dress because the shape is so flattering! It sucks in my waist, makes my boobs look way bigger and skims over what I want to hide. I love the star print too as it’s really fun and playful which is so perfect for this season.

I paired my dress with this insane faux fur jacket which is the key piece of the season. There are so many bold fur jackets out there but I love how subdued this colour is and I’ll be able to wear it with so many other outfits. It’s good to pick one that works with your skin tone too, especially if you’re going for something bright! I like that this one is cropped as well and hits my waist just where the dress starts to kick out.

“I love to go all out with accessories, they can really elevate a party look, even if you’re wearing a t-shirt and jeans…”

The right bag is everything, you only have to scroll through Instagram to know that. I love this black embellished bag as it’s so festive and glitzy but still wearable and will go with any party look. Something worth mentioning is that as great as a clutch bag is they’re so small and there’s nothing worse than not being able to close them. This bag is big enough for my phone, keys and some touch up makeup as well as a cross body strap that is dance floor friendly.

I love New Look all the time but I think everyone knows how incredible their shoes are. I would go as far to say they’re the best affordable brand and I can always find something. These platform shoes are pretty out there and they totally make me feel like I’m in ABBA (YASSS) but they’re also super comfy. Comfort is the most important thing in a party shoe and yes it’s hard to find comfy heels but they do exist! If you struggle to walk in stilettos opt for a chunky heel like these or a lower block heel instead. You want to look dressy but you also want to be able to dance all night and walk to the bar, right?

I hope you loved my Christmas party tips and you have the best festive season! Merry Christmas xx

Photography Sarah Barnes

_{This post was sponsored by New Look/Query Click}

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

3 Easy Christmas Party Outfits

Today I’m pairing up with Jack Wills to bring you some super cute Christmas party looks that are really wearable and extra glitzy. I love putting together outfits for the festive season and although I thought Jack Wills was just for pyjamas their range this year is really impressive. There are so many gorgeous cocktail dresses, evening bags and warm coats that would work for any holiday occasion.

If you’re looking for presents they have some really lovely accessories and pyjamas which are great too. If you’re struggling it’s worth checking out their online gift cards as well which ping into your bestie’s inbox so they can pick their own perfect gift. For now though let’s get on to the outfits…

_{Jacket £69.95, Sequin Top £41, Velvet Mini £59.95, Bag £24.46, Earrings £9.95}   

I think this one is perfect for a work Christmas party. The cute skirt and sequin top look really festive but it’s comfy and classy at the same time. I love this bag too, you could fit so much in this and a cross body is ideal if you feel like a dance. These are definitely pieces you would wear again and again with various different outfits, especially the mini and velvet jacket! Pair this with some black tights and heels and you’re good to go.

_{Pink Coat £148, Dress £62, Bag £27.96, Necklace £12.95}   

I LOVE this coat! It’s so perfect and the most gorgeous colour. This look is great for a family party or even for Christmas day. The dress is really flattering and will nip in your waist, giving you the classic hour glass silhouette and I love the spotty sleeves. Very 50s! Pair this with the gorgeous velvet bag and long necklace to complete the look and add some texture too.

_{Earrings £9.95, Jumpsuit £90, Belt £27.95, Bag £29.95}   

This last look is the most dressy and perfect for getting catch up drinks with your friends. I always pair a jumpsuit with a belt because I think it really draws in the waist and accentuates your shape. This clutch bag is perfect for a night out too as it has the little wrist strap so you don’t have to worry about holding onto your bag all night.

I hope you like these looks! Let me know in the comments what you’re wearing to your Christmas party too?!!

_{*This post is sponsored by Jack Wills / Spot Digital} 

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave