Exactly Where To Look For Vintage Vogues

Despite having annual Vogue subscriptions since around 2017, my love for collecting vintage fashion magazines started during the first lockdown back in 2020. I absolutely adore them. They are time machines which take you to a different era just by looking at the front cover.

Antique stores and vintage book stores do occasionally sell old fashion magazines, but at a ridiculously high mark up. I recently popped into Any Amount of Books in Covent Garden and saw Vogues being sold for £125. This is wild to me, because I have never paid over £20 for an individual magazine and have now acquired around 200, including some very highly sought after ones. So if old book shops are not the place to go for magazines, where can you find them? Here are my top four recommendations-

Facebook Marketplace

This is the ultimate gold mine for any collector. This is because unlike rival selling platforms such as eBay and Depop, people usually sell on Facebook Marketplace because they have things around the house they want gone in a quick sale, ideally including collection from the buyer. Think furniture, prom dresses, prams. But also, large and heavy magazine bundles collecting dust in the corner of the living room. During covid, I managed to buy around 80 magazines from the 90s and early 00s for under £40. You’re likely to find a bargain due to the nature of the platform, as people listing things for their researched value are likely to use other sites.

Thrift Stores/ Charity Shops

Like with all products, magazines here aren’t guaranteed because you never know what will be donated. I remember being in a Savers in Framingham and finding the Harry Styles December 2020 US Vogue for less than $1. The Vogue girlies wanted this because it was the first time American Vogue had a male cover star. The Harry Styles’ fans wanted it because it was Harry Styles. Ultimately, the resellers who managed to get their hands on these magazines were selling them online everywhere between £40 to £500 (yes, I’ve seen multiple for £500). Finding this magazine on a whim for not even a whole dollar still amazes me. So if you’re ever out and about in the local charity shops, it’s worth checking out their book shelves, because you never know.

eBay

Ebay has probably the largest online choice for old fashion magazines bundle wise. The issue here is that the vast majority of these lisitings will be collection only, especially if it is over 5 magazines. Whilst some sellers will allow you to sort out your own courier, most will not enter the hassle and prefer a buyer who can just drive up to their doorstep and pick up the magazines in the evening. So even though you’re seeing a large selection of magazines, remember to factor in the travel/delivery costs.

Etsy

Etsy is a wonderful corner of the market which we all know exists, but somehow only correlate it to handmade gifts and costumes. The platform has a wide range of collectables, including magazines. I bought an October 1974 Vogue from a shop named Vintage Mag Archive. The main difference with Etsy is that here, the sellers understand the value of what they are selling. You’re more likely to interact with a person who resells books and magazines for a living rather than a middle aged lady trying to get rid of her daughter’s scarpbooking materials. This ultimately leads to higher prices. So this may be better suited to seasoned collectors knowing what they are looking for exactly.

And there you have it my friends, the only places you need to know about for your vintage fashion magazine journey. This doesn’t only relate to Vogue, but also Elle, Cosmo, Harpers Bazaar and all your other magazine needs. The main takeaway here is that if you are looking for a specific edition, Etsy and eBay are where I recommend you go. But if you’re just wanting the magazines to start your collection, to scrapbook or you’re not too fussed about exactly which issues you’re receiving, Facebook Marketplace is absolutely the place for you.

Hope this helps,

K x