A Vintage Version Already Exists

The next big thing is probably one antique mall away

For so many years, the conversation around shopping has centered on finding “the look for less” — a dupe, or something made to mimic a more well-designed thing, but out of cheaper materials and with less attention to detail.

The cycle is always the same: A designer releases a handbag, chair, lamp, or dress. The internet collectively decides it wants the look, but doesn’t want to pay the price, so retailers rush to produce cheaper versions. Then content creators round up the more affordable alternatives (their “hauls”), and consumers are left comparing increasingly similar objects at ever-lower price points.

It’s a race to the bottom, and what rarely enters the conversation is the possibility that the best alternative isn’t a dupe at all, but the original thing that inspired the more expensive version.

Many of the pieces generating the most excitement today aren’t actually new products so much as they are rediscoveries. Excuse my language but designers are constantly mining the past because the past is full of good shit!

The problem is that by the time trends work their way through the modern retail ecosystem, consumers are often presented with a choice between an expensive original and a cheaply made imitation — but a third option exists!

In almost every case, the vintage version is still out there, and it’s better-made — you just need to learn how to search for it.

So let’s take a look at some of the trends percolating the high-end sites right now, and how to get not just the look for less, but the actual thing for less, by shopping vintage.

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The $1,800 BODE Beaded Bag

Bode beaded bag, $1,800

Bode’s beaded fringed handbag is elegant, gorgeous, and $1,800. It’s also very obviously inspired by Victorian-era handbags, which abound on Etsy and probably your local antique mall (pro tip: check in the glass cases at the front of the store — these are delicate, so a lot of sellers hide them.)

Search terms:

• Victorian beaded purse

• Steel cut bead purse

• Vintage micro bead purse

• Victorian reticule

• Antique beaded reticule

• Antique microbead handbag

• Antique glass bead purse

Vintage Beaded Roses Ladies Purse, $310

Victorian Colorful Cut Steel Micro Beaded Drawstring Purse with Fringe, $155

Handmade Late 1800s beaded purse, $299

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The $1,850 Chloé Silk Tank Top

Chloé silk tank top, $1,850

Chloé’s lace-trimmed silk tank top looks gorgeous with some more masculine foils, like a leather jacket and rust-colored jeans (as seen on Moda Operandi listing). It also looks strikingly similar to some vintage numbers, particularly from the 1930s (with the tap pants and camisoles of the era serving as the original blueprint for this design).

Look for pieces made of genuine silk or early rayon with real lace trim and gathered elastic or tie waists.

Search terms:

• 1930s peach silk camisoles

• liquid silk step-in set

• Lily of France camisole

• Christian Dior vintage lingerie camisole

• Olga camisole

• Maidenform cami

• 1980s pink satin camisole lace trim

• vintage nylon blend pleated cami

1980s Barbizon blouse, $35

1920s tie-waist camisole, $85

1940s pink silk slip, $175

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The $415 Dries Van Noten Enamel Pendant Necklace

Dries Van Noten enamel pendant necklace, $415

This enamel pendant is so fun and artful and super similar pieces abound at antique malls (again, check the glass cases).

Search terms:

• Vintage enamel necklace

• Hand-painted enamel pendant

• 1980s painted enamel pendant necklace

1980’s abstract modernist enamel over copper boomarang pendant necklace, $30

enameled pendant, $45

enamel rooster necklace, $25

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Now let’s take a look at some home finds. To be clear, the vintage versions, in some cases, are more expensive than the dupes. But I share these as a means of illustrating my overall point (that almost every modern trend is rooted in the past) and as a way of showing you what to look for when you go thrifting or to the antique mall. I promise you can find some of these higher-priced vintage pieces at thrift stores.

For instance, you could buy this $419 CB2 mirror:

or search for a vintage version, like this one:

or look at this $67 asymmetrical mirror:

but what a great alternative in this mid-century modern teak version, for $295:

As always, I’ll round up lots more vintage alternatives of current trends in the coming weeks and months!

Is there anything specific modern-day trend you’d love to find whilst vintage shopping? Drop a note in the comments and I will try to find the vintage version!

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• The Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix are my absolute obsession. Super high shine and moisturizing and the colors are brilliant (my go-to is Blaz’d Donut).

• I updated my 1stDibs faves (I update my finds here frequently, throughout the week).

• My other, more everyday faves are here.

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