After reviewing hundreds of stores, I made an edited list of on-line vintage shops. By vintage, I mean both vintage and secondhand/thrift pieces, with a focus on women’s clothing (I may do a housewares version one day–we’ll see!).
I chose stores with interesting stock, acceptable mark-ups, (usually) pleasant websites, and good reputations. I try to update the list every few months, so it stays relevant. However, it’s not an end-all, be-all list: great new sellers pop up every day, and there’s no way I can list them all. Conversely, placement on the list doesn’t guarantee anything, so shop carefully.
The directory is ordered alphabetically and by price range (below). Happy shopping!
| PRICE KEY (avg price per item)$ $0-$30$$ $30-$75
$$$ $75-$150 $$$$ $150-250 $$$$$ $250+ THRIFT-STORE CHIC Stunning prices, varied collections. Extremely fun to hunt through.
ETSY ($-$$$$) Spurred by rising fees, more and more vintage sellers have migrated from self-hosted sites and eBay to Etsy. What’s good for sellers is also good for buyers: Etsy stores combine easy to use, reliable interfaces with low prices (plus, no insanity-inducing auctions). Check out the Etsy Vintage Directory for an edited list of sellers. CHEAP & TRENDY Slightly pricier than the thrift-store items (often due to auctions), but still easy on your pocketbook.
OTHER VINTAGE & SECONDHAND RESOURCES
UNAVAILABLE These collections were down for maintenance. We’ve heard good things about them, though, so we’ll review them ASAP.
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FASHIONISTA FINDSHigher prices than Cheap & Trendy stores, but still with affordable finds across the board.
SPOILED BY SUCCESS
BRIDGE LINES
POSH & LOVELY Too expensive for most of us, but some truly stunning selections. Prices typically start at $500 (although some only start around $250).
FOR COLLECTORS, COSTUMERS, & HISTORIANS These stores focus on collector’s items rather than wearables. Prices frequently range between $650-$2000+. Extremely fun to look through.
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Hi There!
I am super excited to see Reware Vintage on your list – cause I am Reware Vintage!
Thanks so much for including us on your list, I was so happy to see us next to some of the vintage sites that I admire myself!
But I’m wondering – how come we don’t have any $’s next to us?
Hi Bethany!
Sorry I took so long to respond. I love your site, so glad I found it!
The $$–I found Reware at the very end of three weeks of vintage research. I liked it immediately, so I added the link, but I couldn’t process another site for the life of me–even something as simple as figuring out a price range. Anyway, it’s up now, and we’ll have more in-depth reviews of each site, including Reware, in the near future.
What an extensive list you have created!!
I’m on there, but on the maybe side…I suppose I’m feeling a bit like Susan Lucci, honored to be nominated, of course!
I’m always looking for outside feedback about my site, especially since I’m a one woman show. Since you have taken the time to peruse and review so many other sites, I was wondering if you could give me a critique.
I’m always looking to improve my site, as it is a hub for both of my selling spots, and the first impression buyers have of me.
If you have any suggestions, critiques or thoughts about my site, I’d like to hear them, so I can get a viewer’s eye opinion of it.
Thank you so much for your time, not only in reviewing my site, but in reviewing so many others from the Vintage Fashion Guild.
Sincerely
Jenn
Hatfeathers Vintage
My, there are a lot of you! Glad you found us. Some quick notes:
* Please leave a comment only once or submit one email. Comments don’t appear automatically because we screen them for trolls, spam, etc., but we do receive them–someone didn’t know this and has already left us 10 comments since this morning.
* Please note too that we won’t publish comments that say “Please visit my site.” We will visit your site, however, and keep it on our records for evaluation (we have a list of new vintage sites to evaluate, and will post an update within the next two months).
* Please understand that this site is currently a one woman operation (the “we” is editorial), and that I earn little to no money through this site. Personal reviews of individual sites are simply out of the question for that reason. Please refer to our evaluation criteria & other sites for now; if we get the chance, we’ll post another comment that goes into greater detail about the selection process.
If you’re on either list, it means you stood out among hundreds of vintage sites. Thanks for doing what you do, and for visiting She’s A Betty!
Hi there! Great list! Wow – what a lot of work to find and rate all those sites.
I just wanted to add there’s no murder by popup on Babylon Mall! LOL. We do use a few popups – on the seller / editing side, and one popup on the buyer side – the ‘send page to a friend’ link.
Of course, with any site that is a collection of sellers, you’re going to find a huge range of items and prices.
Anyway, I guess I agree with Jenn in feeling a bit like Susan Lucci!
🙂
Deb
Great list. It’s been fun checking out some one that were new to me! I’ve got to agree with lots of your choices. Denisebrain is one of the best on eBay. And I love shopping at Vintage Martini.
And I agree with most of the posh and lovely selections. Jim Smiley’s however, is closing, and I have to say that most of the “Vintage” at paperbagprincess is not all that old. But pastperfect, tastyvintage, vintage textile and emmapeel are truely delightful shops!
Thank you for the posting! I feel like I should have an acceptance speech ready – one I have been practicing in front of the mirror since grade school. Since you note those who also sell on eBay, I will note that Pastperfectvintage.com has been on ebay under the Pastperfect2 name since 1998.
Once again – a great list. You have highlighted many fine shops.
Hollis
pastperfectvintage.com
Hey Betty!
I’m so excited to have made your list! What a great undertaking this project was. As an independent business owner it’s so nice to be recognized and feel like all of your hard work is paying off 🙂 As a nitpicky aside I would have given me $-$$ since a large portion of my items are under $30 – I really focus on making my items affordable. I love your blog and I’ve added you to my links page. Thanks so much!
Lara Long
Plaid Pony Vintage
You might want to look at timeless vixen vintage as well. Check out the Vintage Clothing Boards on Ebay – she buys properly disclosed items from other ebayers on the cheap and then sticks them in her store without disclosing the flaws and listing them as “mint”.
Great list! All I need is more time to shop and a whole lot more $$$!!
Hi everyone! Thanks for the comments. We’re still editing the lists, but first I wanted to respond to some people:
Jenn: You’re on the main list! I think you’ve done a great job with the site.
Deb: Babylon is fantastic, it was just a question of how to categorize it. I’ll try to fix that soon.
Vintage Shopper: Thank you for all your feedback! I really appreciated it (esp. telling me about Jim Smiley’s).
Hollis: I’ve put the eBay link up, thanks!
Marina: Thanks, Marina. [censored] was just added a few days ago, and all I had to go on was the merchandise and the feedback (99.4%). I tried to find the boards you mentioned but couldn’t–could you send me a URL or more details? My email’s shesabetty AT gmail DOT com. Thanks again!
Lara L.: I agree about the price range! I’ll try to fix it this morning.
Another eBay boardie: Thanks! I’ve just left a note on the last page of the thread. I’m still not sure what to do–I don’t want to participate in a witch hunt, but I also don’t want to promote dishonest sellers. If anyone has info on either Timeless Vixen or [censored], please email me.
Ouch ! I’m just a maybe! Love your site anyway – (Guess I’ll have to work a little harder to win your love 😉 – you have some fantastic sellers on your list who totally deserve to be recognized ,well done !
There is also a top 100 vintage sites you might want to check out, it has a large list of great ebay sellers and vintage stores.
Just thought I would let you know it was there.
Crystal – Vintage City Clothing
Wow – I know and love quite a few of these sellers. It’s great that you are spreading the word. With so many sellers, vintage fashion is a calling, not a trade. I sell both contemporary and vintage plus-size clothing on Ebay. (As far as I know, I’m the only seller who specializes in plus-size vintage.) While the contemporary sells better and is easier to find, the vintage clothing has my heart. I hope Elsewhere returns from hiatus soon! And I agree about [censored]. The threads might have fallen off the Ebay discussion board, though, if they are older than two weeks. But Mamastonevintage ROCKS.
It’s hard work to come up with a list…and there are so many wonderful vintage sellers…and a few rotten apples…I highly recommend eVintage for a lovely bunch of vintage coconuts…and Mainstreet vintage has more vintage sellers, and of course Babylon Mall …all online…and at least, 2 more gals who never fail to please…Dorothea’s Closet, and Rose City Retro. and some of my favorites have posted here for you to peruse…
Thanks ELISA for thinking of us. We just launched RCR in February 2006, so we’re fairly new. My biggest goal is to find a wide variety of AFFORDABLE goodies for ALL sizes, we offer XS to PLUS sizes when possible. I’m passionate about recycling and I have a particular zeal for good second hand leather goods. Plus I refuse to sell fur – die hard animal lover dontchaknow! I’m hoping to someday make Betty’s list! xoxo love from the City of Roses!
Hi,
This is Brigitte from PoshGirlVintage.com
I think you should list me in the Fashionista Finds section since my items start at about $30.00.
My goal is to carry really cool & fun street style clothing & accessories along with some very special dresses and other hard to find chic items. The shoes are the same too. They start at about $30.00 for some leather 70’s heels and go up to Dior fur boots for about $350.00.
Thanks so much!!!
Brigitte
I just wanted to say you have a truly fantastic site – love all the info and the lists! Super!
Why don’t you let Timeless Vixen’s feedback speak for her???
One thing I know & have seen many times about the people who hang out on the ebay boards is that they have way too much time on their hands and LOVE to take down someone who is successful and their competitors.
God forbid if they’re successful and sort of cute too. If she was so bad why out of 300 or so feedbacks does she only have 2 or 3 negs??
I’ve been on ebay for about 8 years and have seen some horrible behavior on the boards. Why do you think they hide behind fake ID’s with only 10 or so feedbacks? Because they will get together and bid on their competitors items and not pay then leave bad feedback for them. If the competitor goes on the board and asks a question they will spam the thread so no one can answer her/him.
It is a witch hunt and you should not stoop to their level. It will just ruin your credibility.
Cary, I absolutely agree that we shouldn’t participate in a witch hunt. That said, there are several reasons that I removed Timeless Vixen:
She has few negatives, but a good number of mutually withdrawns (see Toolhaus.org). The other seller we removed, also had a fairly high rating (99.4%), so I’m somewhat leary of ratings as an end-all, be-all.
I was given several eBay IDs that were supposedly used for shill bidding, and they looked suspicious.
Timeless Vixen used to be a member of The Vintage Fashion Guild, and is no longer. I don’t know why they removed her from their list, but that tells me something’s up.
Finally, in another post, I asked for Timeless Vixen to email me her side of the story. She hasn’t responded, but I’m still open to hearing from her. And frankly, even if she doesn’t, she’s still on Style Bytes list, so I think she’ll be fine without my support.
While participating in a witch hunt would hurt my credibility, I would be more upset if I promoted an unethical seller. I did what I could to find out the truth, and will amend any errors on receiving further evidence.
We’re going to start updating the list over the next few weeks. We’ll do small batches at a time, so it won’t be an immediate overhaul. Thanks.
Thanks so much for taking the time to check out Main Street Mall. We have a lovely group of vintage sellers here as well as jewelry, patterns, books and contemporary clothing.
Thanks so much for adding me here. I have recently totally revamped my site and FINALLY completed it. So now I am finally back to listing more vintage. I must say that all of the vintage seller’s here are a great friendly bunch and I appreciate all of the help through the years!
I absolutely love this online vintage shopping guide! Many of the guides I’ve found online were lacking in substance – but this one is GREAT!! (Not to be a joykill – but I was disappointed to see that the vintagecityclothing “top sites” link lacks any kind of substance … and I’m wondering what qualifies a store for making it onto their list?)
Keep up the good work … I love all of the other information, too!
Hi! Thanks so much for adding myself and the rest of us at Main Street here. We are thrilled! You have a wonderful site here with tons of fab information.
Thanks again!
~Holly
The Purse Diva
The top 100 site is not meant for substance, it is basically a link site so people can place their links and simply get some advertising. I only posted it so that she could look over some of the great stores on the list so maybe some of them could get the mention they deserve. It is free to all vintage stores and sites for advertising purposes. It does help those smaller stores who fail to get mentioned very often get hits and hopefully some sales. Everyone who has joined has been happy so far, no major complaints, and you can find some great items from the people that put their links on there.
hi 🙂
i just came across this post, and i wanted to thank she’s a betty for the inclusion of vintagegriffin.com among the posh group, i feel honored to be in such good company.
for what it’s worth, i do have many things (not currently online) that are not in the higher price range. i had to do a complete site rebuild after my original host lost my entire site. soon i will be adding a section that will focus on the lower-priced items.
btw, i hadn’t been aware of this blog before. i like it a lot. 🙂
thanks and cheers 🙂
I’m *SO* flattered to find our store, RoseCityRetro, on this list. Thanks for finding us!
I’ve worked hard the past few months to improve the quality of our selection as well as increase the variety. I also try to keep our prices low & affordable – it’s really important to me that ladies have access to cute & inexpensive vintage clothes. Tuition costs, living expenses…. it’s all getting SO expensive just to get by. I believe clothes shouldn’t cost a fortune – that’s why I *LOVE* vintage. All of these sellers rock – what a great list you’ve got here! xoxo smooches from Portland
hello!
just wanted to drop by and leave a note (as i have been meaning to since this online guide was first compiled) to say thank you for including tastyvintage in the ranks. i’m very flattered to be in there!
harriet at tastyvintage.com
xx
Hi there,
I am a seller on eBay as well and have moderately priced great vintage clothing. I would love it if you’d like to add me to you list. Oh and on the Timeless Vixen issue. She just purchased a jacket/skirt set from me this week under an assumed buyer name however, her Paypal name reflects her email address. I emailed her back to let her know I knew who she was and she has not responded. Oh well. I have had several “better known” vintage sellers buy from me. I have really great stuff and reasonable prices. You have compiled a great list of information. Thanks! 🙂
Hi Betty,
I thought I would let you know about
Ireland’s only complete online Vintage Store.
http://www.perkupvintage.com
We also have an amazing selection of dresses for the party season
from 1950’s glam to 80’s disco
and are selling gift vouchers online for all those fashion savvy
and ethical shoppers on your Xmas list!
For all those ladies who like to shop from the comfort of their sofa
or the confines of their desk – please check us out today!
Sharon – Perk Up! Vintage & Select Clothing
Hi,
I absolutely LOVE this site; it’s so easy to navigate and full of great information and wonderful vintage shops. 🙂
If you’ve got time, please check out my store:
tweedledeevintage.etsy.com
Thanks for all you do, and I’ll definitely check back here often!
Hi,
I was wondering if you would like to add me to your list? =) I list every Wednesday evening on eBay and my specialty are glamourous dresses from the 50’s, and occasionally earlier. Thanks for your consideration!
Shana
Hello and thanks for your post, great job. its about time some did a score card.
cool thanks again
Victor Petrucci
MoneterVintage.Com
Hey Litter and Vintage online vintage store at http://www.litterandvintage.com has tons of vintage added everyday. Very responsible prices!
Hi there! This is a great list! Are still managing your online vintage clothing directory? We are a new online retailer with a focus on the 80’s and 90’s eras and would love to be included in your list. We are adding new products all the time and offer free shipping! You can visit us at http://90svintage.com, thank you for considering listing us in your directory 🙂
Hi, Great post. I just wanted to add another store for great prices on clothes and other stuff. It’s Candessa’s Closet. They are in Canada but they ship worldwide.
ENTER CANDESSA’S CLOSET STORE HEREEnjoy!
Please check out Cry Violet Vintage. I’ve purchased from them a lot recently. They have great prices on true vintage items, not vintage-inspired. They’re based in Toronto, Canada but ship all over the world! http://www.cryviolet.com
Hey vintage lovers,
closiTherapi | vinTage: Vintage + Designer Clothing Online is another great shop for authentic vintage and designer. vintage clothing online and it’s open 24 hours!
Check it out!
closiTherapi | vinTage