HOW TO SHOP VINTAGE CLOTHING ON ASOS

Looking for vintage clothing? ASOS is a goldmine. From old-school brands to one-of-a-kind finds and even discontinued styles, a myriad of sellers stock preloved dresses, jumpers, jeans and more right here. If shopping vintage is unknown territory for you, read ahead for four tips to make your experience a lot easier.

Typing general terms like 'Y2K clothing' or '90s clothing' into the search bar is like casting a net into the void. Refine your results with keywords like 'retro', 'vintage' or 'throwback' and then the brand you're after, or even the hyper-specific aesthetic (fairycore’s a big one these days). If you’ve mentally conjured up the perfect pair of jeans, finesse your search with the length, wash and fit. The greatest vintage sourcers know exactly how to use the power of SEO.

On the flipside, sometimes the best finds are the ones you didn’t expect. You may be hunting a Carry Bradshaw-esque black satin dress for your upcoming trip, but don’t scroll past that other variation in the corner. Most vintage on ASOS is 1-of-1 and once it’s sold, it’s *sold*. Limiting yourself to a specific colour of a specific style from a specific brand may result in heartbreak. BTW, some of our fave brands to shop include Remass and Messina Hembry.

Our sellers source their stock from a variety of locations, and sizing standards differ between countries. Some vintage pieces on ASOS aren’t listed in UK sizing, so be aware of your conversion. Plus, after tons of washes and wear, you can expect a slightly shrunken hoodie or even the opposite. If you're stuck on sizing, use the product details to help – we'll typically state the size of our model and whether the item is an oversized fit or more snug.

The appeal of vintage clothing is its old-school authenticity and character, but with age naturally comes flaws. Manage your expectations – a little fading, fraying or a rogue pen mark are almost standard in the world of preloved pieces, so don’t let them scare you off. After all, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be you.