We asked expert Alexander Mingott, who runs thrift stores Untucked and Tucked, to give us his tips for making quality finds on the popular second-hand site.
“That Versace shirt. I found it on Vinted, even for €20.’ Such a reaction has become almost familiar in open spaces or aperitifs with friends. Because in recent years, clothes are being consumed more and more second-hand. And let’s face it, buying Zara’s latest trench, which we’ll spot 25 times on the subway and get ready in inexplicable conditions, isn’t really going to make us want anymore. Especially when you can find similar pieces designed by ethical and sometimes even luxury designers on Vinted for the same price. Problem: in this jungle of second-hand fashion we get lost. So how do you find gems and, above all, do business? Alexandre Mingo, head of thrift stores Untucked and Tucked (in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, where he offers luxury and semi-luxury second-hand clothes from €25 to €125), shares his top tips with us.
1/ Sort in ascending order
When we join Vinted, very often, we have a budget in mind that we shouldn’t exceed and which we enter in the app’s filters. However, we would be wrong. To get the best deals, Alexander Mingott recommends sorting the selection in ascending order, then scrolling through the pages. “I am not giving prices because I have yet to see all the results. Especially since even if you come across an expensive item, it is always possible to negotiate,” says the man, who spends about 50 hours a week (including 15 hours on Vinted) hunting for used goods. “So I always sort by ascending price when I type in a certain brand name.”
2/ Create a “brand book”
To avoid wasting time, it is better to have one or more brands in mind. But forget the famous Burberry, Jacquemus and Gucci. Instead, look for lesser-known, more sophisticated and seemingly far more interesting brands. “To get started, you need to find out about the designers first. It’s tedious work, but it’s worth it. To do this, go to Google Images, type in the names of Italian designers, for example, look at the models, browse the collections, make a list of your favorite designers, then search for them on Vinted,” advises the founder of Untucked and Tucked. “Today, if I want a silk shirt, I know I’ll find it at Gianfranco Ferré, Stella McCartney or Ellery (an Australian luxury brand).
3/ Slip into the seller’s shoes
Need to type in specific keywords or tags to find nuggets? For Alexander Mingot, not really. However, avoid the word “vintage” at all costs, “because prices triple.” Fashion Shopping Expert invites you to put yourself in the shoes of the sellers. “Some people don’t know much about fashion, so sometimes you can find incredible deals by making mistakes in the words. Once I wrote “ditch” with “s” instead of “c”. Also, avoid being too specific. Indeed, “the more education you have in fashion, the more expensive the research,” notes Alexander Mingott. For example, if you want cowboy boots, type the words “cowboy” and “boots” into the search bar. Not forgetting to translate your queries into different languages.
4/ Negotiate, always negotiate
“It takes a long time to negotiate well,” says Alexander Mingott. That being said, he tells us not to hesitate to “go there in French.” “I often negotiate with a threshold price. I offer 20 euros for a piece worth 27 euros. It’s an easily negotiable level.” Another smart tip slipped by an entrepreneur. group negotiations. “It’s a bit rude, but sometimes you can ask friends to buy the piece you want to get the seller to fold.” Without, of course, knowing the connection between the two potential buyers. Will it be auctioned or sold?
5/ Develop your fashion culture
Finally, the last tip and not the least. For Alexander Mingott, one must know how to get good deals and, above all, look for counterfeit goods. And when you still don’t understand much, the fashion press can help you find out not only about past designers, but emerging brands as well. The Untucked and Tucked boss also praises the quality of several Instagram accounts; “Ours is the first,” he laughs. The account of Tyché Agatha, a micro-influencer who works on luxury and provides inspiration for outfits. In my opinion, this is the best used account out there. it is full of good advice. I’m also thinking about content from Emmanuelle Sits, La Source Vintage and Emma Verdier Kremer.”
Source: Le Figaro
