Shopping vintage online

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Love 1970s babydolls and Edwardian lace blouses, but hate dusty thrift stores and the smell of moth balls? Well, there’s a simple solution: cyber vintage.

Now you can step back in time without stepping out the door—except to parade your multi-color rayon gown and 1980s Dior sunglasses, of course. Whatever look you’re into—mod, boho, disco, 1950s cocktail dresses or Victorian bridal—the internet has a virtual storefront with your name on it. And think how much money you’ll save on gas!

But with thousands of vintage peddlers popping up on eBay, MySpace and the like, knowing where to start can be a problem. “Just because it's old, doesn’t make it cool,” points out Sophia Amoruso of Nasty Gal Vintage. She’s right—you could end up looking less “Factory Girl” and more “Little House on the Prairie” if you don’t know where to look.

Tip: Dust off your tape measure! Sizes have not been consistent over the decades, so many dealers use inch measurements instead.

Holly Golightly chic: Posh Girl Vintage
Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and swoop up some kittenish organza, tulle and lace at this cocktail dress heaven. Run by a former Helmut Newton model, it features largely 1920-1980-era couture by the likes of Paganne, Gucci, Ceil Chapman and Anne Fogarty, so prices can be on the steep side. For those intimate moments, check out their sexy collection of vintage undies, from sheer 1920s nightgowns to 1950s cone bras (eat your heart out, Madonna!). The site, voted Best Vintage Site by Seventeen magazine, also features a blog, for updates on new stock.

Olsen twin hippie style: Nasty Gal Vintage
Cute but not saccharine, tough but totally feminine—sound like you? Then you’ll love Nasty Gal Vintage, an eBay company run by Bay-Area native and vintage fanatic Sophia Amoruso. It’s great for 1960s and 1970s hippie sundresses and babydolls which, according to Amoruso, have been flying off the cyber shelves thanks to the influence of celebrities like Nicole Richie and the Olsen twins. Trapeze dresses are especially popular, “because they are so flattering on the body.” The photography is a cut above the rest and gives buyers a good idea of what the gear will look like once on. Because she’s on eBay, you can name your price – which means you could get really lucky and buy a great dress that nobody else paid attention to for $20. Or splurge $200 on a plain calico blouse...whatever floats your boat.

Vintage-inspired: ReVamp Vintage
If you love vintage but can’t bear the thought of wearing someone else’s  clothes, then this is the site for you. Dealer Annamarie von Firley, a former flying trapeze artist, produces historically accurate reproductions dating from 1914 to 1957 that girls and boys of any size can wear. Period filmmakers love her made-to-measure, custom designs, as do curvy girls who love vintage but can’t squeeze into those teeny-waisted authentic flapper dresses. “1920s fashion is hard to wear because women had narrow hips and used to bind their breasts,” says von Firley. “Try putting that on a modern day woman—we are much better fed today!” Her Website is a true resource for the vintage fashionista, complete with lessons in fashion history and guides to period hairstyles, from the Marcel wave to rag curling. Complete your vintage wardrobe with one of her custom-made high-waisted 1940s bikinis.

She's got Bette Davis eyes: Allyn Scura
Scott Iseyama fell in love with his wife, Allyn Scura, when he bought a pair of woodshop teacher’s glasses from her store. Now they run a vintage eyewear empire together, selling specs and sunnies online, dating from the 1700s up to the 1980s. Oversized frames from the 1970s and 80s are their biggest sellers, especially any by Gucci, Ted Lapidus and Christian Dior. Their most sought-after frame, however, is a basic brown horn rim for men—a.k.a. The Johnny Depp. “Literally, we have had inquiries every single day for the last three years for those,” says Iseyama. Rockabilly kids are into his authentic 1950s frames. Back then designer glasses didn’t exist, and the business was dominated by medical brands like American Optical. Things changed in the 1970s when Christian Dior and Gucci started putting their names on eyeglasses. You can find vintage frames here for much less than you would elsewhere; their coveted Christian Dior model 2056s, for example, sells for $250, which is half what you would expect to pay in stores.

Also worth checking out:
Indie emo chic: Modcloth
One-of-a-kind vintage, plus vintage-inspired creations from young designers. Mod, indie and retro styles. Cute shoes too.

Victoriana vixen: 1860-1960
The makers of “Titanic” and “Chicago” came here for help with costumes. Great for 1920s kimonos.

Designer vintage, on the cheap: Adore Vintage
One of BUST magazine’s Top 10 Vintage Sites with great value old-skool couture by the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Yves Saint Laurent.

Mid-century your pad: Vintage Swank
Vintage Swank sells clothing, plus everything you need to deck out your home, from a 1930s Art Deco lucite lamp ($275), to 1980s Eames chairs ($185) and even an authentic 1950s payphone ($445).

Let’s hear it for the boys: Monster Vintage
A huge selection. We love their sexy bowling shirts with embroidered team names on the back. Their 1980s bomber jackets aren’t too shabby either—very “Top Gun.”

Old styles, new shoes:  ReMix Vintage Shoes
Rita Hayworth heels are nice n’ all, but if you can’t get the thought of athlete's foot out of your head, then check out Remix Vintage Shoes. They have it all, from 1940s pumps to 1970s platforms, and White Bucks and wingtips for men. They may look bygone, but don’t be fooled—each pair is brand spankin’ new.