How to Shop Vintage and Do it Well (From the People Who Know Best)
Setting up shop at the Ardilaun Hotel from 11am to 6pm on May 9th and 10th, attendees can expect hundreds of rails filled with the best handpicked 90s and Y2K pieces, amazing accessories, a DJ set, and much more.
Spaces are limited and, unfortunately, tickets have already sold out, but we caught up with owner Mary Omotosho, who kindly shared her best vintage shopping tips with us below.
Make a plan
If you know you’re someone who gets easily overwhelmed, the best thing you can do is go in with a plan. Decide the day before what you’re actually looking for, whether that’s jeans, a jacket, or a top. That way, when you walk in, you can head straight to that section instead of trying to take everything in at once. Vintage shops can be busy and packed with options, so having that focus helps you stay calm, avoid distraction, and shop more intentionally.
Personal taste over trends
One of the biggest mistakes I see, especially with the rise of vintage fashion on social media, is people getting too caught up in trends. It’s very easy to see pieces that are popular online and buy them, even if they don’t actually suit your personal style or lifestyle. A lot of the time, those items end up sitting unworn, which leads to overconsumption and waste.
The best way to avoid this is to shop with intention. Focus on pieces you genuinely like, feel comfortable in, and know you’ll actually wear. Trends come and go, but your personal style is what lasts, so it’s always better to invest in items you’ll get real use out of rather than just buying something because it’s currently popular.
Brands to know
I always keep an eye out for certain brands and materials that I know reflect both quality and my personal style. Labels like Jane Norman and Miss Sixty are always exciting finds, especially pieces from the 90s and early 2000s. That era really aligns with my style, and the quality back then was amazing, particularly when it comes to denim.
I also love brands like Morgan de Toi, and even vintage pieces from Topshop, Next, and Zara. Even though these brands are known as fast fashion today, their older pieces were made very differently, with better materials and more attention to detail.
In terms of fabrics, real leather is a big one for me, especially when it comes to jackets. With the right care, it lasts for years and only gets better with time. For beginners, I’d say start learning how to recognise good-quality materials, check labels, and feel the fabric. Those small details can tell you a lot about how long a piece will last.
At the end of the day, sizing in vintage is just a label, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try pieces on
Try everything on
There’s no exact rule when it comes to vintage sizing because it really can be so inconsistent. If you’re shopping online, it helps when sellers provide measurements like waist and length, so you can compare those to your own to get a better idea of fit.
But in physical shops, my biggest tip is to try everything on, regardless of the size on the label. Vintage sizing is very different to what we’re used to now, so don’t get too caught up in numbers. You might end up fitting into something you wouldn’t normally pick up, and it could fit you perfectly.
At the end of the day, sizing in vintage is just a label, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try pieces on. That’s often how you find the best fit.
Figure out your likes and dislikes
There’s no exact method for finding standout pieces, but it definitely helps to know your own taste. Once you’re clear on what you’re drawn to, it becomes much easier to spot pieces that stand out to you straight away.
For me personally, this is something that’s come with time. It’s taken years of understanding fashion, figuring out what I like, and learning to recognise quality and certain labels.
For example, I love accessories, especially belts, and I’m always drawn to colour and unique details. So if I come across something like a bright pink studded belt, that’s instantly a standout piece for me and something I know is worth picking up.
Comfort = confidence
The key is to buy what you genuinely like, rather than relying on social media or trends to define your entire style. Social media should be used as inspiration to help you develop and refine your style, not to dictate it.
For example, I’ve always loved platform shoes. Whether they’re in or out of trend, I’ll continue to wear them because of how they look and how they make me feel. That’s what personal style is about.
It’s also important to wear clothes you feel comfortable in; comfort and confidence go hand in hand. At the end of the day, fashion is what you make of it. If you love something and feel good wearing it, then it will always feel “on trend” for you.
Authenticity, always
If I had to give just one rule to follow when shopping vintage, it would be to always buy what you genuinely love, not what you feel pressured to buy by trends or social media.
When you focus on pieces you truly like and feel confident in, your wardrobe naturally becomes more personal and timeless. You’ll always reach for those items, and they’ll last you far longer in terms of wear and style.
Vintage fashion should feel like an extension of your personality, not something you’re copying from what’s popular at the time. If you love it, feel comfortable in it, and can see yourself wearing it often, then it’s always the right choice.
A Taste of the World’s permanent showroom is located in the Docklands in Dublin, just beside the 3Arena. Appointments can be made here—simply choose the time that suits you best, pay the €5 deposit (redeemable on any purchases made on the day), show up, and shop to your heart’s content.
Delivered straight to your inbox every month.
