Label Hunter: Even more brands to look for when buying vintage

When you're out picking for your next vintage haul, you'll be bound to come across unfamiliar labels and brands, and being able to spot a banging piece by an über sought after brand is a massive part of vintage and pre-loved shopping. We've put together a part two for our guide to our favourite brands to look out for when you're searching for more vintage pieces. Haven't read part one yet? Find it HERE

Patagonia

Founded in1973 by Californian rock climber Yvon Chouinard to create functional outdoor sportswear which boasts both form and function. Patagonia has gone from a nice sportswear brand to a globally recognised and highly sought label amongst stylish city dwellers and circles of streetwear enthusiasts, Patagonia has undeniably become a pillar of the 'American Vintage' genre.

Loved for their 90's-esque utilitarian aesthetic, keep an eye out for their teddybear fleece jackets in an array of neutral toned textiles, knitted beanies and waterproof rip-stop outerwear for pieces that will stand both the test of time and the rotations of trend cycles.

Blumarine

Italian fashion brand Blumarine has seen a resurgence over the past couple of years, mostly down to the y2k revival we're currently experiencing to such a degree that they appointed a new creative director in 2021who's re-imagined versions of the brands classic 90's pieces have been worn by starlets including Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid.

Their sensual and feminine pieces with an edgy twist hark back to the golden years of noughties pop culture; think Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Britney Spears. Blumarine are also known for their 90's adverts which featured the iconic faces of Adriana Lima and Monica Belucci, photographed by icons like Helmut Newton and Ellen von Unworth. If you love cute yet sexy pieces which are both easy to style and will make you feel like a 2004-era it girl then Blumarine is a label to keep your eye out for.

Belstaff

Founded in 1924 in Stoke-on-Trent, Belstaff is one of the UK's most important heritage brands, and were the first brands to use waxed cotton when they created waterproof jackets for Motorcyclists. They've since been rebranded as a luxury sportswear brand when they were bought out in 2011 but their classic outerwear will always be highly sought after pieces amongst pre-loved enthusiasts.

Often with hints of their motorbiking-wear origins, Belstaff jackets are perfect if you love slightly sporty pieces with tons of functional features which are made of hardwearing and durable textiles. Good condition Belstaff pieces can also fetch up to £200 on popular reselling platforms so it's always worth snapping them up if you spot one.

Diesel

One of the most iconic contemporary denim brands, Diesel was founded in 1978 by Renzo Rosso who started out by designing and making low-rise flared jeans which he sold to his friends. They've since grown into a major brand and their surreal and irreverent advertising campaigns are always instantly recognisable.

If you're a fan of late 20th century denim with ultra sexy cuts but also love ultra 90's leather outerwear, funky prints and quintessentially Italian silhouettes then Diesel is a label to keep your eye out for when searching for pre-loved picks. There's also a lot of it around so it's relatively easy to hunt down and you can find some pieces at bargain prices.

Fiorucci

Another Italian powerhouse brand, first founded in 1967 , Fiorucci brought the spirit of swinging London and Americana classics to the streets of Milan and Europe; known for their retro-futurist take on classic pieces and were instantly recognisable thanks to their Cherub logo. By the late 70's their New York shop was so popular it was dubbed the daytime Studio 54 and visited by members of Manhattan's Glitterati including Andy Warhol and Jackie Kennedy.

Despite going basically defunct come 2003, modern day interest in Fiorucci grew so much that the brand was re-launched in 2017. But the focus will always remain on pieces from the brands heyday which range from their logo-emblazoned t-shirts and ultra feminine denim jeans to kitschy handbags and chic swimwear. Annoyingly it was super cheap and easy to find on sites like eBay prior to it's relaunch, which as always has majorly driven up the prices of the OG Fiorucci pieces, but if you do come across anything then it's always worth buying, not only for the resale value but also so you can own a part of a truly great brand.

Chillie Guide: How to re-wear party wear

When we're all making a conscious effort to reduce our carbon footprint, buy less and shop mindfully: the idea of buying partywear for a special event can seem at odds with the modern-day mantras of sustainable fashion. We get it, buying something to wear it once then never again is not only a financial drain, but also leaves you with a seriously overcrowded wardrobe. As party-season draws to a close, and those sequin pieces start getting thrown to the back of the closet, we've put together a handy guide to extend the life of your partywear.

Don't fear the repeated outfit

The phenomenon of being an 'outfit repeater' has been universally accepted as one of the biggest fashion faux passes for decades. But we've never really understood the hate? Because I like an outfit and want to get the most out of it suddenly I'm a pariah? No thanks. Clothes should be worn and used to their full potential, not taken out of rotation as soon as you're seen in public wearing it.

If you have a go-to 'party dress' that's still going strong, makes you look and most importantly feel absolutely fabulous then we say re-wear it. If you wan't to make it less obvious you're wearing the same dress as last year then change up your jewellery, shoes or make-up for an updated feel.

When in doubt, style it out...

We believe in the power in good styling, and the potential to totally transform a single garment with the right accompanying look. You can use this method to switch-up your party-wear and make just as fabulous for casual looks.

Velour body con dress, feels too formal? Pair it with chunky boots, a slouchy mohair cardigan and a natural make-up look. 80's glimmering sequin extravaganza blouse looks too fancy? Style it with wide-leg mom jeans, pointed toe mules and low-key gold jewellery. Killer Jerry Halll-esque two-piece tailored suit seems like a bit much? Wear it with a vintage band-tee, suede sneakers and hair accessories for a perfectly casual yet chic look.

Don't Bin it!

I know, sometimes you can just get stuck on a garment, it's not the vibe; it doesn't make you feel fab, it doesn't fit or it's just not you anymore. We get it, and guess what... it's totally fine to give up on a garment when you've exhausted all your other options. But if you're getting rid then do it the right way.

Don't like it but can see someone else loving it? List your wares on the plethora of marketplace apps and platforms at your fingertips; eBay, Depop, Vestiare and Vinted, not only will you get some extra spending money but you'll be extending the life of your garment with a new owner.

And when you're in the market for something new, try and look for pre-loved pieces. And you you can start with Chillie London!

While you're at it... Shop our Partywear trend edit:

Boxing Day Sales: How to Shop Smart

Chillie London on how to navigate the post-Christmas slump

Now that we're at the start of December it's now that time of year when it's acceptable to spend large sums of money in the name of holiday gifting and overindulge in all of the festive treats that your heart desires. But what comes after? The inevitable spendathon comedown which brands will cleverly use to push you towards even more retail therapy to soothe the empty week between Christmas day and the new year.

Now if there's one thing you should have gathered by now is that we're not ones to turn our noses up at a bargain, quite the opposite. We also love fashion, obviously; and as-well as bringing the coolest pre-loved pieces to the masses we also love showing people how you can avoid constantly buying new things. So here are our top tips for navigating the Boxing day sales, without any regretful purchases.

Remember the golden rule, ask yourself 'Do I really need this?' - ask it when you're browsing the crammed sale sections, website pages or social feeds; ask when you're adding to bag or strolling over to the till, ask when you're about to hit 'checkout' or hand over your card. If the answer at any time is anything other than '100% yes' then don't buy it. If you have to convince yourself: red flag.

Think about what you've just gotten. Have I already been gifted something that's similar? Can I exchange one of my gifts that I'm not too keen on to make space for something I actually want? We've just had a whole day, week, month of gifting, and chances are there's probably one or two items you've accepted out of politeness whilst mentally envisioning yourself shoving it to the back of your closet the second you can. But if you spot something you truly want in a sale, then why not free up some room - there's no shame in returning, exchanging or even regifting - we won't tell...

Don't get locked in. Shops will sneakily add in final sale and no-return clauses on some or all of their sale items which when you're under the spell of the elusive 'limited deal' or 'final markdown' can sometimes be all too hard to spot. If you change your mind, tough luck, you're stuck with it leaving you with annoyingly limited options. Banished to the dark recesses of your home storage, off to the charity shop or hastily listed on eBay, whatever the outcome you've still made a loss.

Plan a new years clear out. Why waste the prospects of a brand new year on the same few resolutions that you know by January10th will be totally out of the window. Instead take a day to go through all of your clothes, shoes and accessories to make way for all of the new things you've acquired over the festive season. Donate anything you don't wear to charity, list online or go one step further and do a carboot sale one morning and make back some extra spending money.

Try and find it pre-loved. Love an item for it's colour, print, style or other specific feature? Do some online digging and see if you can find something similar that's pre-loved and give it a new lease of life. Love the brand? Do a quick eBay or Depop search. Sometimes you might even be able to score the exact same piece at a much better price a few weeks after the sale ends. Or you can always cut to the chase and shop our hand-picked selection of pre-loved fashion, which we know you'll wear again and again.

Happy shopping everyone!