A Vintage Fashion Expert Shares Her Tips & Favourite Finds

My love of vintage and pre-loved fashion has been life-long. I remember visiting my older brother Angus at university and being fascinated by his eclectic wardrobe – he had a teal mohair overcoat and a huge oversized leopard-print faux fur number. I loved that these pieces had stories behind them – that sense of history really drew me in.

Pre-loved shopping has definitely become far more fashionable – and a lot of that is thanks to celebrities like Rihanna and Bella Hadid, who’ve made vintage feel aspirational. There’s definitely an element of kudos when you’re spotted wearing something rare or iconic, but it doesn’t even have to be designer – it can just be something cool and original that no one else has.

I’m not convinced that fast fashion will cease altogether – but people are definitely becoming more conscious. There’s more awareness about where clothes come from and what they cost to make. The shift towards circular shopping habits has been so encouraging – and with the cost-of-living crisis, we’re seeing more people resell their wardrobes online, which is a positive step forward.

Vintage plays such a huge role in my life. When I was a fashion director, I always tried to weave pre-loved pieces into shoots to challenge that old idea that vintage looks worn or dated. When I launched my #CHOOSEPRELOVED campaign on Instagram, it felt like I was helping make vintage a movement rather than a token gesture.

My Prada loafers are my all-time favourite vintage find. But close seconds would include my cashmere floor-length coat, my Chanel bag, my vintage leather jackets and my Vivienne Westwood black Cocotte dress. The loafers were worn once and I paid £400 – almost half the retail price. Like a car, as soon as something’s worn, its value drops. That said, true vintage isn’t always cheap because it’s rare, especially if it’s still in great condition.

From hard-to-find denim to jewellery and everyday basics, these are the pieces currently on Amy’s radar – plus, the styling hacks and care tips she swears by…