Where does vintage clothing stock actually come from?
Most of it from the used-clothing export trade. Donated and discarded clothing in North America and Europe is baled and shipped to sorting hubs — Pakistan is one of the largest — where it is graded and sold on. Vintage dealers either buy at the bale themselves, buy graded bundles from sorters, or buy from wholesalers who have already picked the best pieces. Each step adds margin.
What is the difference between bale and bundle sourcing?
A bale is a compressed block of mixed used clothing, typically 45 to 100 kg, bought blind by category — you get what is inside. A bundle is a hand-picked selection, usually of a specific brand or type, that you see before you pay. Bales are cheaper per kilo but unpredictable; bundles cost more per piece but every piece is sellable.
How much margin should I aim for?
Vintage retail typically runs at a two-and-a-half to four times markup on landed cost — a piece that costs you £18 landed should retail at £45 to £70 depending on model and market. Online platforms take a cut and shipping eats margin, so price from your landed cost including freight and duty, not from the supplier's quote.
What should I stock first?
Recognisable brands that sell themselves: Carhartt, Levi's, Dickies, Champion, Nike. Within Carhartt, start with brown and black Detroits and double knees — they are the most searched and the easiest to sell. A first bundle of 20 to 50 mixed pieces lets you test what moves in your market before committing to volume.
Online or physical store?
Start online. Depop, Vinted and Instagram need no rent and tell you quickly what sells. Market stalls and pop-ups are the usual next step, and a physical store makes sense once you have a proven product mix and a local following. Many successful vintage stores run all three.
How do I handle import duty and VAT?
Budget for it. Used clothing into the EU attracts import VAT at your country's rate plus duty above the threshold; the UK is similar; most other markets charge GST or VAT plus a clothing duty. Work it into your landed cost. Buying in bundles means one customs entry instead of many parcels each attracting handling fees.
What do suppliers need from me?
A clear brief: how many pieces, which categories, which colours and sizes, which grade. Good suppliers send photos of every piece before payment and ship with a commercial invoice and HS codes so customs is smooth. Ask about a standing monthly order once you know your sell-through — that is where pricing gets best.
Every piece we sell is reworked by these standards
Everything written here comes from grading and reworking Carhartt every day. Browse what's in now, or message us and we'll send photos and measurements of anything.