Of course, finding the perfect pair of vintage jeans is easier said than done. Some denim can be boldly expensive, depending on the year and style, and you can't always trust the size on the label. Trying on multiple sizes and styles is highly recommended to find the ultimate pair from the '80s or '90s that hugs your curves and fits just like a dream.
The rigidness of classic denim will mold to your body with time and wear as opposed to the skintight, stretchable denim of this generation. Tailoring is a must when it comes to vintage denim, and the below shops we suggest offer services to get the right crop or proper frayed hemline to your liking. You'll be thrilled with the customer experience and may leave pleasantly surprised with more than one yummy pair.
Continue on for our top sources and secrets on where to shop the absolute best vintage denim finds online, in boutiques, and on Instagram, collected from around the country.
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What Goes Around Comes Around
What Goes Around Comes Around has been in business for 27 years and sources a breath of offerings including vintage denim from all around the country. Stop by the boutique in SoHo, New York, on West Broadway for an intimate fit session with a denim specialist who will take your precise measurements for an ideal fit. The most popular vintage denim seller at WGACA is a pair of Levi’s 501s. The shop also offers late '90s and early 2000's Louis Vuitton vintage denim among other luxury designers, which range in price from $198 to $2000.
"A true denim quality piece that will last for a long time is well worth it," says Vice President of Direct to Consumer Julian Guevara.
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Duo NYC
There is no better, more tightly curated selection of vintage Levi's jeans than Duo NYC, a boutique in the East Village that has been around since 2008. Shop new batches of vintage denim drops in store or on the brand's IG handle, @duonyc.
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RE/DONE
Each of RE/DONE Levi’s jeans tells a unique story. Every piece begins with a deep indigo denim, with decades of wear and exposure to the elements, developed and individualized, with a one-of-one wash.
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Shop Future @ A Current Affair
Shop Future is a vintage studio brand in Los Angeles that pops up at A Current Affair when it heads to the Bay Area twice a year. A portion of each denim sale goes toward uplifting Black leadership and directing critical aid to Indigenous communities. Discover a wide selection of alluring vintage denim that will make you feel like an off-duty model.
The Vintage Twin
Cofounders and twin sisters Morgan and Samantha Elias started The Vintage Twin, where all great brands are born, in their mom’s basement. After many successful pop-up shops in NYC, they expanded to build the storefront in SoHo on Broadway. Simply, make an appointment at their JEANius Bar and work with a staff of denim experts for a free consultation to find that perfect bum-sculpting fit. Other offerings at the JEANius Bar include printed monogram graphics and masterful frayed hemlines that suit your build. Even Bella Hadid has personally popped by the shop to customize a pair.
This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US