No, Lily Collins's character in Emily in Paris isn't the only one who knows about Vestiaire Collective. The French resale platform has been a secret source among insiders to buy and sell designer goods for ages now, but hey, I guess the secret's officially out now that the fourth season of the show is following Mindy on her path to making money as a seller on the app.
Long story short, when Vestiaire Collective invited me to its NYC warehouse last month, it was like a fashion editor's daydream. All around me were racks upon racks of the most covetable designer vintage and secondhand pieces a fashion person could ever want. Nineties Gucci! Like-new Khaite! Prada nylon! Like a kid in a candy store, I found myself plucking piece after piece to try on, and before I knew it, my arms were growing heavy under the weight of all my selections.
If you've ever shopped on the resale platform, you're well aware that the peer-to-peer system slows down the time between purchasing and receiving your order since each piece get rerouted through the Vestiaire authentication team (tough for instant gratification, necessary for quality control). The team clued me in on a little-known hack for finding the best stuff and making sure it hits your doorstep in record time. Essentially, the Vestiaire outpost I visited is home to a bunch of authenticated pieces that are ready to ship. You can browse this selection here. Of course, if you want to skip ahead to what's really worth buying, simply peruse my edit below, where I've included outfit photos and my personal review of 10 ready-to-ship items from Vestiaire's warehouse. Shop now, and thank me later.
Khaite Cropped Leather Bomber Jacket
As soon as I walked into the showroom space, I locked eyes with this Khaite jacket. Between the buttery-soft leather and streamlined silhouette, I didn't want to take it off despite the mid-July heat wave NYC was experiencing that afternoon. It felt nearly mint condition and was priced accordingly—just under its retail value—despite being a discontinued style.
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Roberto Cavalli Silk Halter Dress
Roberto Cavalli pieces need no introduction, especially this perfect silk dress. I fell in love with it immediately. With the leather cord straps, halter neckline, and low, strappy back, it's the kind of purchase that makes me want to justify booking a trip to Greece to wear it. Clearly, I wasn't the only one obsessing over it because it sold out quicker than I could make it mine. It was heartbreaking, but I'm making it my mission to track it down again.
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Prada Tessuto Tote
It's hard to find good-condition Prada nylon accessories. It's even harder to find them at decent prices, so when I saw this chocolate-brown tote and did a double take at its price tag, I couldn't believe my eyes. Perfectly lightweight and roomy, it's the workhorse bag every city girl like myself needs.
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Burberry Minidress
Paging Charlotte York! You can't tell me she wouldn't be wearing this exact look to walk her British bulldog up and down Park Avenue, likely with a matching plaid headband and coordinating collar and leash for Richard Burton.
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Vivienne Westwood Corset
One thing about Vestiaire's selection is that it has range. Contemporary labels like Toteme and Khaite are mixed in with elusive and rare vintage items like mesh Gaultier tops and none other than this incredible Vivienne Westwood corset that now has my heart. The construction and tailoring are impossible to describe. They're just something you have to experience to understand.
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Gucci Leather Horsebit Heels
One of the best parts of shopping the resale platform is the prices. Even considering that these Gucci Horsebit sandals require a new set of heel caps (those won't cost more than $10 at any local shoe repair), they're so reasonable. One tip when shopping pieces like this is to be sure to read the product details so you can anticipate any repairs you might need to factor in.
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Toteme Silk Top
Some of the best deals to be had are on contemporary labels like Toteme, where you can find gorgeous past-season pieces like this crinkled silk tank at some of the internet's steepest discounts.
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Prada Wool Midi Skirt
Another piece I had a hard time parting ways with (and truthfully am still considering buying) is this Prada wool skirt. Pencil skirts and cool gray tones are both trending for fall, so this feels like a perfect way to tap in without buying anything "new." It comes courtesy of the platform's partnership with Mytheresa, which basically means it was collected from a Mytheresa customer and sold by Vestiaire Collective. While it doesn't come with tags, it's listed as being in very good condition, and I have to agree that I couldn't find any flaws.
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Gucci Jackie Bag
Hot take: I actually prefer the original Gucci Jackie bags to the newer styles. This one feels lived-in and perfect to me.
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Khaite Off-the-Shoulder Bodysuit
More Khaite because who could ever be mad at that? I've had eye for this beloved off-the-shoulder bodysuit for years, and this one I tried only confirmed the hype. It's just that good.
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More Buy-Worthy Picks
This feels criminally low for vintage Prada.
*The* jewelry trend of the moment.
Confirmed: These sunglasses look good on everyone.
A mesh JPG top is the ultimate collector's item.
This shape of this bag couldn't be any cooler.
A beautiful investment piece.
Love the unisex feel of this watch.
Jackie bags in good condition like this one tend to go for much more.
To wear for many summers to come.
If you're a size 37, I envy you.
In a word: hot.
Essentials only.
I'm a sucker for vintage Pucci.
This color is so striking.
Ideal for that summer-to-fall transition.
A great carryall.
