Μake us preferred on Google An upside of the booming secondhand market, which resale site ThredUp valued at $257 billion in 2025: It’s now entirely possible to build a modern, office-appropriate men’s wardrobe without looking like an extra in a period play.
“Most covetable vintage is increasingly looking more like it could be from today,” said Dominik Halás, master vintage authenticator for online secondhand retailer, the RealReal.
A downside? Finding the good stuff can still require know-how and digging.
“It can be a little challenging to get into if you haven’t done your 10,000 hours,” said Elliot Duprey, a management consultant in New York City, who has amassed over 440,000 Instagram followers with guides helping men shop secondhand.
The reward remains the same: Scoring pieces, often at lower prices than retail, that help set your style apart from the mainstream.
Here, Duprey and Halás offer advice on how to find luxury vintage versions of men’s office-wear staples, from brands to look for to tips for sifting through styles online at places like Depop, the RealReal, eBay and Poshmark. For best results, you should have up-to-date tailoring measurements.
Suits
EBay listings from left: Armani suit, $450; Armani suit jacket, $200. Kelly Peck/WSJ; Regarments; SmallTownVNTG
Brands to seek: Hart Schaffner Marx, Hugo Boss, Armani, Matsuda, Yohji Yamamoto, Dior Homme by Hedi Slimane
How to shop: Generally, ignore listed sizes and search for your measurements—start with chest and shoulders—rather than specific brands. This ensures you don’t overlook bespoke vintage suits that might not have designer labels. If you don’t see measurements, ask a seller for them. “It can be a lot of work, but it’s also so gratifying when you do end up getting one that fits and looks good,” Duprey said.
To find vintage suits with the same relaxed look as trendy newly made styles, Halás suggests searching for 1980s and 1990s suits by Japanese designers Matsuda and Yohji Yamamoto.
Shirts
EBay listings from top: Brooks Brothers shirt, $69; Polo Ralph Lauren shirt, around $30. Kelly Peck/WSJ; sesher-77; Aron Rainwater
Brands to seek: Charvet, Zegna, Isaia, Cesare Attolini, Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, Turnbull & Asser
How to shop: The most important measurements are your shoulders and chest, as a shirt’s fit in these areas directly affects your mobility. If you want a buttery-soft fabric, look for Ralph Lauren or Brooks Brothers Oxford-cloth button-downs from the 1990s or earlier. For traditional dress shirts, go for heritage makers like Charvet. “You can get a great value buying something like that, especially if it was made to measure,” Halás said.
Pants
EBay listings from left: Ralph Lauren Purple Label pants, around $180; Zanella pants, around $35. Kelly Peck/WSJ; MidThriftShop
Brands to seek: Zanella, Gucci, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren Purple Label
How to shop: Know your inseam length and “true waist” measurement, taken slightly above the hip. If you’re shopping for a new style of pants, whether wide-leg, pleated or slim, start at a store where you can try on a few different versions. When it comes to looks, Ralph Lauren Purple Label tends to be a crowd-pleaser among seasoned and new vintage shoppers alike, Halás said, because of the brand’s timeless “masculine references” and impeccable tailoring.
Shoes
EBay listings from top: John Lobb shoes, $415; John Lobb shoes, $695. Kelly Peck/WSJ; designer_deals; Mentauge
Brands to seek: Hermès, Crockett & Jones, Church’s, John Lobb
How to shop: Search for benchmade shoes, which are crafted by artisans with superior materials . They can be repeatedly resoled, for around $100, to prolong their lifespan. Crockett & Jones and Church’s are two brands from Northampton, England, that reflect the area’s heritage of fine cobblers. The shoes are known for durability and versatility. “These companies make loafers, cap toe dress shoes, brogues, wholecuts, whatever you need,” Duprey said.
Ties
EBay listings from left: Brooks Brothers tie, around $47; Hermès 1958 tie, $495. Kelly Peck/WSJ; Homegrown Nostalgia; Trian Koutoufaris
Brands to seek: Canali, Brioni, Zegna, Hermès, Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren
How to shop: “The most I’ve ever spent on a tie is 25 bucks,” Duprey said. Search for 100% silk ties on eBay, and you’re likely to find handmade ones for around $10, he added. Vintage ties are also among the easiest ways to add character to an off-the-rack outfit.
