Image via Thrift Box by A Curated Thrift.
Have you ever wished that you could go back in time and live your life in a different decade? Ever daydreamed about becoming a flapper and swing-dancing your way through the '20s? Or being a trailblazer in the '60s and getting a job at a hire-powered firm? (hello, MadMen!) Or even buying a VW van and spending your days beachside in California during the '70s? (No? Just me?)
I've found myself scrolling around on Etsy more times than I'd care to admit picking up cute vintage concert t-shirts, sweaters from the '60s, vintage flight attendant coats from the '70s, and even a pair of Italian army pants from the '80s. Buying clothes and vintage furniture (yes, I do that also) from another era is as close as I can get to actually living it.
Not only do the clothes give me a chance to daydream, but they are usually incredibly unique (you won't ever bump into anyone wearing the same outfit!) and perfect for pairing with modern-day wear. The quality is also much better than anything I've purchased recently. Any article of clothing that can find its way through decades of wear and tear and still be calling my name is a piece I need to have.
Shopping for vintage clothes is already a fun and exciting mystery. And now, another way to do that is through vintage clothing subscription boxes. It's easy, it's fun, and you just might find an amazing piece that transports you to decades past.
Vintage Clothing Subscription Boxes
A Curated Thrift
A Curated Thrift is a personalized clothing subscription box that delivers second-hand and vintage pieces of clothing monthly. It has only been around for a couple of years, but it has grown significantly in its short time. The idea came in 2019 when, Julia, a new mom, and lover of vintage clothing and second-hand thrifts realized that this was a niche that had not yet been filled in the subscription world. And A Curated Thrift was born.
When you sign up for this box, you fill out a questionnaire where you can choose which styles suit you best. The options included are minimal, grunge, academia, boho, grunge, goth, Hollywood, Y2K, cottage core, and athleisure. There is also an option you can choose if you just aren't feeling any of these and would prefer to have something even more specialized. They also ask if you would like vintage clothing in your box starting from the 70s. Personally, I'd love to see this go back to the 60s as there were some pretty fabulous clothes during that time, but I imagine those might be a bit harder to find.
A Curated Thrift even goes so far as asking for your social media handles so that they can browse your photos and really get a feel for your personal taste in clothing. You can choose two pieces or four pieces delivered monthly and each item will be carefully chosen for you depending on your size and taste preferences.
Price: $49.95 per month for 2 clothing items or $79.95 for 4 items
Sign up here: A Curated Thrift
Comma Vintage
A vintage clothing subscription box for men! I get excited about men's boxes because well, there just aren't that many of them! Comma Vintage is a subscription box that will send men vintage clothing that is carefully purchased from thrift stores, consignment shops, estate sales, and vintage clothing stores. Their knowledgeable buyers select the best brands and the highest-quality clothing to go in your box. In fact, they take so much pride in their job that they say their goal is to deliver so many amazing options that it actually makes it hard for you to decide what to wear!
Now, I know I said that this vintage clothing box was for men, but honestly, it can be for anyone who loves vintage t-shirts, jackets, and pants. You will be asked your sizes after signing up and while the cut may be more tailored for a man's body, it is for anyone who can pull off some serious vintage threads. In fact, looking at some of their past boxes sent out, I'd pretty much take any and all of it.
The best thing about Comma Vintage? They guarantee their items to be true vintage, which in today's replica world is nice to know that you are actually getting what you pay for!
Price: $59.99 per quarter
Sign up here: Comma Vintage
Red Bird Vintage
Red Bird Vintage knows that to complete the perfect outfit, you are going to need the accessories to go with it. They offer three different levels for your subscription box and all levels have amazing vintage accessories.
The priciest option is The Lorene Subscription and will have both clothing and accessories in your box. As of writing, this box is currently at its max capacity of subscribers and they suggest checking back at the beginning of next month to see if there are any openings. The next level is The Marie Subscription and this box will offer you at least four accessories each month. Items may include things such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, handbags, brooches, rings, and scarves. The last level is The Scarf Subscription which will send you three vintage scarves and a brooch each month. Honestly, a vintage scarf might be the best way to level up your vintage game. Everyone always looked so classy wearing them!
At each of Red Bird Vintage's subscription levels, you will be asked which decades you prefer starting from the '40s. Vintage 1940's scarf!? Yes, please! You can also purchase a one-time accessory box to see how you like it before subscribing. And for all my tea lovers out there, they also offer The Theresa Subscription which will send you a vintage teacup and a handful of teabags each month.
Price: $25 per month for the Scarf Sub, $50 per month for The Marie, or $100 per month for The Lorene
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first box!
CODE: MSA10
Sign up here: Red Bird Vintage
Divine Trash Vintage
Somebody's trash is somebody else's treasure! And that could not be more true for the Trash Club by Divine Trash Vintage. The Trash Club doesn't try and sugarcoat what they are doing. Their three employees (yep, only three!) spend their days traversing the US to find the most unique vintage clothing to send to their members in their "trash bag" each month. One month you may get a sweet pair of trousers, while the next may be an old jean jacket. You just never know! What you can always be sure of is that your piece of clothing will be both in your size and true vintage. The Trash Club specializes in clothing from the 1970s to the 1990s giving you the pieces you need to make that perfect combination outfit (I love a good pair of skinny jeans and an old rock concert t-shirt!).
Before you sign up, The Trash Club will ask you to take a short quiz making note of your age, size, and your clothing preferences. Honestly, the best part of their style quiz is that it feels like you are talking to your best friend. They want to know the real you and not what some algorithm thinks you might like. Questions like, do you have "Small boobs? Juicy ass?" make me chuckle and immediately like a company for their realness and relate-ability.
The only downside to The Trash Club is that the clothes you receive are non-returnable. So, be sure to answer all those hilarious sizing questions during your style quiz. And if you ever find yourself in Missoula, Montana, you can even check out their vintage threads at their store front!
Price: $30 per month
Sign up here: Divine Trash Vintage
Style Alert by Material World
Material World isn't so much vintage as its pre-owned luxury items, but I thought it deserved a mention here because the clothing offered can be pretty phenomenal. Material World is basically your own personal stylist that will send photos of pre-owned items that they think you will love. And these items are not fast fashion, but rather classic luxury brand items that you will be able to wear for years to come. Some of the brands featured include Saint Laurent, Chloé, Margiela, IRO, and Chanel.
So how much does will this cost you? Well, the monthly styling fee is only $9, and there is no commitment to buy anything. When your stylist texts you, you can just pass on the item until you see something you love. If you do end up purchasing something, the $9 fee will be waived. You then have 30 days to try it out and return it if it just doesn't work for you.
Style Alert's goal is to help style you while helping the earth as well. It is estimated that close to 12 million tons of textile waste end up in our landfills each year with the average person throwing away 81lbs of clothes. This is an obscene amount of waste and by purchasing second-hand items instead of new pieces, each one of us can help bring that total down. Every little bit helps!
Price: Styling Fee $9/monthly. Individual items are additional.
Sign up here: Style Alert by Material World
Have you tried any of these vintage clothing subscription boxes? Let us know what you received in the comments below!
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