8 Cult Designer Items We'll Actually Be Buying Secondhand This Season

Spring is upon us and with it a brand-new season of shopping. We, like anyone, can be prone to getting carried away with all the newness shown on the catwalks, street style stars and regular high-street drops, making us want to refresh our wardrobes and treat ourselves for the season ahead.

In this day and age, though, shopping is increasingly becoming about making responsible choices. As 2020 gets well underway, there is already a more positive focus than ever on what broader changes the industry can make in terms of sustainability and what we can do differently in our day-to-day fashion consumption.

The S/S 20 and A/W 20 shows have all had an underlying sense of leaving throwaway trends behind, with words like "wearable," "realistic" and "timeless" all being used to describe some of the most desirable collections. The Row’s Oxford shirts, Victoria Beckham’s suiting and JW Anderson’s trenches were all truly a celebration of how you can buy less and wear it forever.

As for us, getting creative with our shopping and prioritising circular fashion when possible is becoming easier and easier—whether that’s borrowing from one of many new rental platforms or, of course, shopping at secondhand or vintage stores. If you’re a regular Who What Wear UK reader, you’ll know our editors revel in finding a really great piece that works perfectly for the current season—whether it’s a ruffled-collar blouse or a leather blazer.

And that’s where Vestiaire Collective comes in. As one of our favourite luxury resale sites, we’re always browsing its new-in sections for one-of-a-kind vintage pieces or cult items that are impossible to get your hands on anywhere else.

When it was the time last month for Team WWW to decide what to wear for London Fashion Week, heading to the site’s new permanent in-store area of Selfridges was the first port of call. We fell in love with a classic JW Anderson bag that felt good-as-new and every member of the team ended up borrowing it throughout the weekend, knowing all too well the power of an iconic designer piece on a classic outfit.

Here, we’ve done the hard work for you. As the season kicks off, we’ve picked out our favourite cult Vestiaire finds that feel really modern for S/S 20. From classic logo prints that come round again and again to timeless trenches, trust us—if you’re going to invest in anything this season, make it one of these things. Just think of it as an heirloom you’ll hand down to your children one day.

Gucci Logo

If you haven’t seen the recent resurgence of the Gucci GG logo all over Instagram, we salute you, as it must have taken some effort. Now excuse us while we try and stop drooling over these mules.

Fendi Baguettes

A classic but still so fun. This is the original '90s going-out bag, and nothing beats the original. 

Burberry Trench

Spring is always the season of the trench, so rather than continuing the search for the perfect version on the high street, why not just go for the real thing?

Celine Triomphe Bag

Utterly timeless, this will be your dream bag for many years to come. Trust us—the time to invest is now.

Sellout Dresses

Had your heart set on on that Instagram-famous dress for a spring wedding but can’t find it anywhere? Vestiaire isn’t just great for accessories—we always keep our eyes on its dresses for sellout cult brands. 

Vintage Chanel

Chanel will always be chic. New-season stock still has quite a hefty price tag, so search for vintage pieces on the site which come in mostly under £1000.

Prada Nylon Bags

These aren’t going anywhere. Top tip: Non-leather designer bags are always better value. 

Hermès Scarves

This is an iconic piece for any woman’s wardrobe. This season, hair accessories are in in a big way, so wear yours as a babushka scarf or use to tie around your plait. 

Up next, the only trends you need to know for spring