Fashion Dictionary: Your Beginner's Guide to Secondhand &…

Are you thinking of shopping 2^nd hand for the first time? As sustainable fashion is gaining its momentum a bunch of (new) words are being called into life. So what’s the difference between second-hand, vintage, and curated vintage?

Second-hand fashion

Second-hand fashion refers broadly to pre-owned clothing items that have had a previous life, but may not be particularly old or historically significant. Second-hand items can be from last season, or even just a few months old, often newer or trend-driven. You might have realised that, nowadays, second-hand clothing is everywhere, whether it is from thrift shops or charity shops. For example, in Western Europe, the second-hand market has long been shaped by huge (social) organisations such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army, making second-hand both impactful and accessible.

While shopping second-hand is often seen as a more sustainable choice, currently, there’s a growing paradox when it comes to Gen Z. On one hand, they’re highly conscious of climate change, overconsumption, and the unethical realities of sweatshops in fast-fashion production. But at the same time, they’re also heavily influenced by big marketing campaigns, fast-moving trends, many of which are amplified by social media and influencers. This tension has led to the gentrification of thrift stores, where second-hand shopping is no longer just a budget-friendly, eco-conscious act, but increasingly a curated, trend-driven experience. Even thrifting nowadays has become a trend for Gen Z.

→ link to COSH! Are secondhand chain stores ethical and transparent?

Vintage & curated vintage fashion

Now let’s discuss vintage, a word synonymous with second-hand. Ideally, vintage clothing is second-hand, as a subcategory. It refers to garments that are at least 20 years old and reflect the style, materials, and craftsmanship of a particular era. Think of 80s power dressing, 70s disco style, or 60s mod fashion.

Vintage clothing is not only signified by being old pieces, but it also offers a rich connection to history and identity. Each vintage garment is typically 20 to 100 years old, symbolising craftsmanship, cultural shift, and storytelling of its era. The fact that those garments were able to be preserved for decades shows their fine construction and use of durable materials, which are qualities often absent from today’s fast fashion.

The vintage fashion trend was pioneered by 1990s to 2000s icons such as Kate Moss with her boho-chic aesthetic, often found wearing vintage cocktail dresses and embroidered jackets long before it became mainstream. Similarly, Sienna Miller was famous for her boho-festival style by combining vintage elements of fringe, lace, and retro jackets, making her a trendsetter for vintage fashion. This era marked a change in the growth of second-hand sales. Businesses saw this as an opportunity to capitalise on the market, which created a shift in more sustainable consumption behaviour.

In response to this demand, curated vintage began to emerge as a distinct niche. Unlike general vintage shopping, curated vintage refers to garments that have been carefully hand-selected by stores, often with an eye for quality, era, or aesthetic appeal. These selections are typically tailored to niche audiences, such as Y2K fanatics, 90s streetwear collectors, or lovers of classic tailoring, offering a more refined and intentional shopping experience within the second-hand market.

BLOG vintage vs secondhand fashion header blog cosh

What are the similarities?

Both contribute to extending garment lifespans and reducing textile waste. People are drawn to second-hand clothing for different reasons; from finding unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, to reliving nostalgia, or simply enjoying the thrill of a great deal.
Second-hand fashion generally means pre-owned clothing–items that have had a past life, which doesn’t have to be old or significant.
Vintage fashion is another category for second-hand items that are minimum 20 years old, that echoes the fashion of a certain time period.
With vintage fashion, there is curated vintage, referring to vintage pieces that were specifically selected by stores to match the aesthetic they are looking for.

What’s the difference: Age & Historical Value

Second-hand garments can be surprisingly recent, and sometimes just from last season. What’s interesting is that, oftentimes, in thrift stores, they might sell second-hand fast-fashion items. So, pro tip: check at the labels and materials while you’re shopping second-hand.
Vintage clothing has a time-stamped aesthetic, representing specific decades and may hold historical or cultural relevance.

Now that you know the difference between second-hand, vintage, and curated vintage, here’s our list of second-hand and vintage shops you can find in cities in the Netherlands like Figo Vintage, Fashion Library Zest, Vintage Jungle , Old West, or

Kringwinkel Kapellen, Kringwinkel Brasschaat, Pardaf Antwerp, Kringwinkel Deurne, Kringloopwinkel Okazi Hasselt, Perron 2, and Laudato Si’ in Belgium.