Vintage vogue: sustainable office dressing is the smart choice

The vintage clothing scene in Ireland is on an upward trend with bargain baggers out in force to find quality items that often come with exclusive designer labels and luxury fabrics designed to last.

Many enlightened young shoppers have realised that all the money they squandered on disposable fluff over the internet holds little value and swiftly turns into rags hardly worthy of dishcloth designation.

And this season has seen many celebrities and top executives incorporating vintage into their daily wardrobes and it’s a trend that’s set to continue in 2023. Vintage is becoming more evident at corporate events, business meetings and in everyday office wear.

This shift towards sustainable clothing dovetails with the rise in excellent vintage and second-hand boutiques in Ireland where you can snap up an Yves St Laurent blouse, a Prada jacket, D&G scarves or Ralph Lauren sweaters for a fraction of the retail price.

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Nine Crows

Nine Crows started out more than 13 years ago and has expanded to four fab stores across the country plus sister brands like the men’s wear store Heritage, the eclectic Reverie, and its latest store Loot.

Their selection of different stores caters to different styles and age demographics. The popular flagship Nine Crows store in Temple Bar tends to have a 90s theme with styles for label-savvy customers. Their newest store Loot on Drury Street is a vintage concept store with designer clothes for men and women of all ages as well as designer bags and homeware.

Nine Crows tends to be one of the hottest venues for young vintage shoppers. There is always a colourful buzz around the rails when the vintage street combers are on the hunt for bargains. Check out shopninecrows.com for more information.

The Cobbler’s Wardrobe

Hollie Creedon opened The Cobbler’s Wardrobe in Sandymount in 2015. “It was originally my grandfather’s shoe repair shop, so this space was always special to me,” Creedon says recalling the landmark cobbler shop on Sandymount Green.

“We work on a consignment basis, selling designer clothing, footwear and accessories. Our focus has always been on quality so we’re selective in what we take,” she says.

“We believe that investing in good pieces saves you money in the long run. It’s about time-proof purchases and investing in pieces you will love and cherish.

“I’ve certainly noticed the rise in preloved and vintage fashion over the last two years. The pandemic seems to have propelled the growth of the resale market. We aim to take in everyday staples, capsule pieces, occasion wear, office attire – a mixture of timeless classic, trendy and vintage gems.”

Choosing pieces in the store that look well in the office is easy with a range of tailored blazers teamed with classic trousers by Chloe, for example. Leather jackets are popular as are designer shoes. Suits have made a comeback because they are so versatile and can be teamed as separates with silk blouses by Ferretti. See cobblerswardrobe.com for more.

Roberta’s Thrifts

Another thrifty vendor is Roberta Gabalyta who decided to set up her own second-hand store a couple of years ago. “At first, I was really clearing out my own wardrobe that was full of impulse buys and fast fashion,” Gabalyta explains.

“I made some money to help my student lifestyle but when I moved to Dún Laoghaire I started going to a lot of charity and vintage outlets and I realised that I could snap up some amazing bargains that I could then resell for a profit.”

She set up her own online stall called Roberta’s Thrifts and went off scouting for bargains. “I concentrated on what days the stores were restocked so I could get in first to choose the most interesting looks and the best buys.”

Gabalyta then became both a customer and an internet retailer. She also recently got a job in a bank so she dresses in simple separates like her second-hand Ralph Lauren sweaters or tailored Hilfiger shirts with classic cut trousers. She believes we have enough stylish clothing on the planet to recycle for many years to come. See robertasthrifts.com for more.

The Harlequin

Fellow online retailer The Harlequin has been going for more than 40 years and it’s a super vintage treasure trove. Once located between Castle Market and South William Street in Dublin, it has since gone virtual.

“My mum started the business 40 years ago but during Covid we got accustomed to retailing online so we made a decision to go exclusively digital after the pandemic by enhancing our website, engaging with our wide network of customers and using social media to reach our audience,” explains owner Fiona Smyth.

The Harlequin stock is mainly targeted at the 25-50 age group, and it excels in long-lasting classic looks that are made with quality fabrics and expert tailoring.

“We have a super-savvy clientele who are discerning shoppers as well as older women who appreciate the finer details and established designer labels in life,” says Smyth. “We stock Harris tweeds, Irish designer knitwear from Kilkenny Design, coats by Aquascutum and Barbour wax jackets – the classics that are always in demand and very out of vogue. We also do cool denims and brands like Levi’s.”

The website features beaded evening bags as well as antique and vintage leather jackets for men and women. Is it hard to find suitable stock in a rather small Irish market? “We have built up some really dependable suppliers and I go abroad to Italy and Paris to find some exclusive pieces for our customers – sometimes I’m on a mission to source a particular item so it’s quite challenging and also a very satisfying aspect of retail,” Smyth says.

As sustainable shopping and a revival in retro fashion continues to stimulate a desire for more covetable and exclusive bargains it looks like Ireland’s vintage fashion stores are going to be top of the shops. See theharlequin.ie for more.