THRIFTING SECOND-HAND OR HANDPICKED FINDS – with vintagebyc
When developing your fashionable personality, thrifting secondhand is one of the most essential steps to follow.
It opens up endless possibilities, offering access to pieces from different decades and styles shaped by unique moments in time.
As thrifting and secondhand shopping gain popularity—thanks to online hauls and growing awareness about responsible consumption—there’s been a clear evolution. Curated secondhand stores have become more visible, both online and in physical spaces.
For me, thrifting is almost therapeutic. Going through every item, searching for that perfect piece in the right size—something that feels like it was almost made for you—makes the process feel rewarding.
Still, there’s something equally special about visiting a curated secondhand store, where everything is organized, categorized, and handpicked to reflect a specific aesthetic.
For this article, I spoke with Carla, the founder of Vintage by C, a curated second-hand project born from her years working in fashion and her deep love for vintage items. That love story started in London, where she lived across from Brick Lane and spent hours exploring vintage shops, fascinated by the clothes and the people wearing them.
“I would take pictures of their outfits for inspiration” – Carla said.
She has worked as a stylist and a buyer, but over time, she's become less interested in trends and more close to timeless, meaningful pieces. For her, vintage is about stories — each garment carries history, emotion, and uniqueness. That was the main reason to start vintage by C.
After traveling the world and visiting vintage shops in cities like Paris, Seoul, and Shanghai, she realized there was nothing similar in Spain, at least not with the same energy you could feel in other places. Vintage by C is a carefully curated archive built from years of sourcing — a space where her eye and passion for storytelling through fashion come together.
For me, both are equally valuable. For choices; options. If I had to decide on one to keep purchasing for the rest of my life, you'd find me in the darkest second-hand store you could find – however, it takes years of practice to train your eye to find the pieces. It takes sourcing, a kind of knowledge of brands and, more importantly – time.
So, if you are on the other team and love second-hand but the sourcing part freaks you out, I would definitely recommend handpicked stores like Vintage by C or x siempre.
