In a surprise twist, we become impossibly cool

When I was a kid, my mum would take me shopping in thrift stores. I hated the smell of dusty old clothes, and the horrifying 90s concoctions that would leap out from behind rolling racks, all busy florals and synthetic fibers. Worse than anything was the thought that someone from school might find out that my new Bootlegger bell-bottoms were actually from Goodwill.

A lot has changed since I was a kid, my taste in pants included. Nowadays Kate Moss and the impossibly cool Chloe Sevigny wear their used threads with pride. Discerning hipsters and clotheshorses everywhere see vintage clothing as authentic, unique, and no longer the hallmark of the budgetarily-constrained.

(That's right, I said budgetarily. You feelin' lucky, spellcheck?)

On the crest of this new wave are trendy recycled boutiques, where you can snap up these made-to-last, few-of-a-kind treasures without that heady thrift shop aroma. There's Frock Me!, a London-based exhibition of vintage garments; The Way We Wore, a trendy LA vintage shop whose clientèle coolness rating is basically off the charts; Courage My Love, in Toronto's Kenzington market, which has been slinging second-hand since before I was born.

Closer to home, you've gotta love Model Citizens on Duckworth Street (down the steps of the War Memorial... but you knew that I'm sure). Almost everything in their collection is recycled and refashioned in some way, and the trendy, boutique-y shop suggests anything but a thrift sore.

Even Oxfam's British charity shops are giving their image an overhaul, with Brit It Girl Alexa Chung as the brand ambassador. Can I just say that this is one fucking exciting time to be putting together a vintage collection.

Today I'm stalking... Alexa Chung

who: It girl, model, television presenter

age: 26

made in: Britain

style: classic pretty layered with a tomboyish twist

wardrobe staples: oversize tees, neutral bags, mid-thigh hemlines, cardigans, statement jewelery, dark tights, chunky heels.

why we love her: she's campaigned to combat AIDS, climate change, and has her own line of Fair Trade jewelery.


why you should love her too: she's the brand ambassador for Oxfam – that's right, even It girls shop second hand!

life story (abridged): The youngest of four children born in Privett, Hampshire. Discovered at 16, Chung walked away from modeling after only four years to pursue an education in art and journalism. In 2006 she was offered a job co-hosting British show Popworld. Since 2007 she has topped major best dressed lists in the UK, US, and Canada.

overheard: “There’s not much to being an It girl. It’s really quite a depressing title to hold.”