The 100 Best Vintage Shops Online

If you are anything like me you have this adoration for vintage items, but find that actually shopping for them can be overwhelming. I was really excited when I heard that my friend Sammy Davis was writing an e-book about vintage shopping online. In this book she talks about where to get everything from jewelry to hats to bridal (and everything in between).

Why did you write this e-book?

Sammy Davis: One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “Which vintage shops should I check out?” I realized that this question was twofold. They wanted to know 1. Who can I trust? and also 2. How can I not be so overwhelmed by all of the different eras, styles and types of clothing that vintage fashion encompasses?

So my e-book helps sort through all of that by breaking down the best shops into various categories by decade, clothing type and price while also sprinkling in historical nuggets and information about how the vintage world works. My hopes are that after reading the book, you’ll get a better feel for what type of vintage shops you prefer most, since there are even more amazing shops that just didn’t make it into the top 100 for the book. 

Why do you believe every woman should wear vintage? 

Sammy Davis: Every woman should wear vintage because it’s guaranteed to make her feel great thanks to fabulous style, quality and feel-good benefits.

Not only is vintage trendy and affordable, but it’s sustainable since you’re reducing your carbon footprint by substituting secondhand for a new garment. Also, vintage shops are like mom-and-pop stores, so you can feel great knowing that every purchase from a vintage store helps these small business support their families and succeed in today’s tough economy. 

Plus, we can’t forget that vintage fashion is a special sisterhood different from mainstream fashion. Reason being that women love connecting over stories of where to find vintage, its history and how to wear in a modern way. Whenever someone compliments a vintage garment I’m wearing, I almost immediately launch into a story about it that becomes an icebreaker in our conversation. Wearing vintage helps me make new friends! 

Why is vintage fashion becoming so popular?

Sammy Davis: Vintage fashion is so popular because it offers benefits that fast fashion retailers (H&M, Forever 21, Zara) can’t. Vintage is stylish (often inspiring current trends), affordable (especially for designer aficionados) and sustainable, too, considering you’re investing in a second hand garment that if produced in the ‘70s or earlier, was typically made in the United States. 

Plus, buying vintage supports small business owners since most sellers are set up like mom-and-pop businesses offering more personalized shopping experiences than a contemporary retailer can. While you’ll probably never speak to the designer of a typical mall store, vintage sellers are more than happy to connect with customers about the styles they’ve curated, answering emails and staying in touch via social media. 

I have had the opportunity to accompany Sammy on a Salvation Army shopping trip in the past and can I just say, the girl really knows what she is doing. I'm so proud of her for writing "The 100 Best Vintage Shops Online"! I look forward to readers discovering love for vintage, as well as Sammy's savvy secondhand knowledge!