We often think of Etsy as a handmade marketplace so this list of the best-selling vintage items on Etsy may surprise you.
It is entirely possible to sell used clothes, vintage jewelry and more on Etsy and turn a nice profit.
Think of Etsy as your online flea market when it comes to vintage products. People like scouring online for bargains and collectibles.
If you are interested in making money flipping items you find at thrift stores then Etsy can be a great place to start.
I’ve already spoken a lot about the 15 Best Things To Sell On Etsy To Make Money but today I am going to narrow that down to the retro and vintage items you can sell.
In this article, I am going to show you the bestselling vintage items on Etsy that you should look for when visiting local markets and estate sales.
Read on for the full list.
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MORE ETSY TIPS
21 Best Selling Vintage Items On Etsy
Below you will find 21 of the top selling vintage products to sell on Etsy right now.
If you are wondering what to look for in thrift stores to make money, then this list will be invaluable.
Whether you have an established Etsy shop and are looking for fresh ideas or you are a new seller who wants to create a successful online empire, you have come to the right place.
If you don’t already have an Etsy store to sell your vintage items, then you can create one in minutes for free.
If you start your shop using this link, you will get 40 free listings to start you off too!
Underneath this list, you will find some tips for making sure your Etsy business goes off without a hitch.
1. Vintage Jewelry
Vintage jewelry can be a really easy thing to sell on Etsy for a profit.
Think earrings, wedding sets and vintage rings and necklaces that have that bohemian look.
Handmade jewelry items are really popular on Etsy and anything with a vintage or retro feel is sure to sell really well.
2. Vintage Clothing
Can you sell used clothes on Etsy? Yes, if they are “vintage”! In fact, this is one of the most popular categories on Etsy.
What are the best products to source when it comes to clothing?
Well, anything from the 1990s or before is officially classed as vintage and can be sold for a nice price on Etsy.
Look for anything that is back in style like high waist jeans, bell bottoms and baby doll dresses.
And don’t forget original designs such as wedding dresses or clothing for special occasions.
You might find some amazing vintage finds at thrift stores or garage sales.
3. Vintage Prints and Posters
Wartime prints, propaganda posters and other rare, vintage posters are really popular on Etsy.
Prints of old advertisements can also fetch a pretty penny online and can sometimes be found at flea markets.
4. Vintage T-shirts
I know that t-shirts are clothing but these deserve a category all of their own.
If you can get your hands on concert t-shirts from decades gone by you can start a really successful Etsy shop and make a lot of money.
Vintage t-shirts is a top-selling category on the Etsy marketplace with potential buyers scouring the internet for the top selling items.
Some t-shirts are more in demand than others but most vintage t-shirts can be sold for a profit online.
5. Vintage Patterns
Photo: MaroonManx on Etsy
Do you love knitting and want to make some money?
Vintage sewing patterns and old knitting patterns are always really popular on the Etsy online marketplace.
Not only do they look cool, but they are really fun for crafters to use.
The best items are in good condition and make great home decor or can actually be used as a pattern.
This is one popular product where it is really important to provide thorough product descriptions so that your customers know exactly what they are getting.
You can often find vintage patterns at yard sales and flea markets, the better condition they are in, the more money they will fetch.
6. Vintage Mirrors
One of the best-selling items on Etsy when it comes to vintage goods is home decor.
Antique mirrors in particular are very popular.
Everything old is new again and vintage mirrors are very trendy right now.
The only issue with selling these items on Etsy is the shipping and handling.
You want to make sure your item makes it to its destination intact so you will need to factor in shipping and packaging costs in your price.
7. Vintage Fabric
Craft supplies of all kinds are one of the top Etsy sellers and if you can find unique items such as fabric, you have a fantastic thing to sell in your online store.
Retro prints are one of the best selling vintage items on Etsy as they are rare and the profit margins can be enormous.
If you have vintage fabric from the 1970s or earlier you can easily sell them to crafters on Etsy for a great price.
8. Vintage Teacups
Another really popular item in any list of best selling items are antique teacups.
These are actually one of the top items that flea market flippers look for to resell.
I have several friends who collect vintage teacups and tea sets from thrift stores then resell them on Etsy.
These kinds of vintage party supplies are really popular for bridal showers showers and weddings.
To find the right product that sells well, make sure that any teacups you find are free of chips or any defects.
Also look for fine bone china with a stamp on the bottom showing the company and where the tea cup was made.
9. Pressed Glass
One of my friends runs a very successful Etsy business selling unique products made out of pressed glass.
Pressed Glass is also known as Pattern Glass.
It was mainly produced in the 1880’s and is durable and hardwearing.
In recent years it has gained popularity on the vintage market and is one of the best-selling products on Etsy.
Depression glass dishes and platters are also very popular.
Although they are not easy to find, they are one of the top-selling items on Etsy.
10. Retro Sport Shirts
There are many active buyers on Etsy who are looking for vintage sports gear.
From jerseys to equipment, there are many vintage sellers who only focus on one sport.
Football (soccer) shirts from the early 2000s onwards are top sellers on Etsy but in fact, any vintage sports gear or memorabilia can sell really well, especially if it is in good condition.
Signed baseball bats and basketballs, autographs, vintage ticket stubs, bumper stickers and other sports stuff can be a great thing to find at flea markets and sell for a profit on Etsy.
11. Vintage Door Knobs
This might sound like a strange thing to buy and sell on Etsy but antique and vintage door handles are one of the best sellers on Etsy.
First of all, if you have ever gone shopping for fun door knobs in unique designs, you will know how expensive they can be.
Second of all, vintage knobs are normally really well-made and one of a kind, making them great for people who love recycled crafts and upselling.
The good news is that you can find these kinds of products at all kinds of thrift stores and flea markets around the country, making them a great way to start your Etsy business.
12. Vintage Hats
Another great product for Etsy shop owners to add to their store are vintage hats.
This might sound strange but retro baseball caps from now-defunct brands are really popular on Etsy.
Likewise, vintage sports caps from the 1970s and 80s are also top sellers on Etsy.
13. Coat Hooks
I love coat hooks in the form of animals or with amazing crystals and apparently so do a lot of Etsy buyers!
Your target audience for these products is anyone who wants unique home decor that you can’t buy at big box stores.
Handmade items from small businesses are also really popular.
Vintage coat hooks are a great thing to look for at flea markets and they will fetch you even more money in pairs or sets of three.
14. Vintage Lamps
The best way to jazz up your decor on a budget is with a new lamp.
Lots of people are looking for custom designs and retro patterns to add the personal touch to their homes.
As long they are in good working order, vintage lamps are a good thing to flip on Etsy.
Think of things like those retro mushroom lamps, banker desk lights or those green lights that every lawyer on TV has.
15. Vintage Kitchen Gadgets
Remember those old hand mixers than your grandma used to use? They are in demand online!
The best part is that they don’t even have to be in working order to sell well on Etsy.
Anything from classic stand mixers, graters and even discontinued Pampered Chef or Tupperware are all hot sellers.
Of course, items in pristine condition will fetch a higher price.
16. Vintage Brooches
I’ve already mentioned jewelry but vintage brooches warrant their own section in this list of top selling vintage items on Etsy.
Back in the day most women wore a brooch every day, whether to keep their headscarf from blowing away or on their hat as a fun decoration,
Vintage brooches that feature pressed flowers, Cameo silhouettes or even old brand names are one of the best selling vintage items on Etsy.
17. Vintage Halloween Decor
Handmade products are all the rage on Etsy and party supplies are always big business.
One holiday where vintage decor really shines is at Halloween.
Super creepy Halloween photos and prints are very popular on Etsy.
They are brilliant for a haunted house and add a real feeling of authenticity to any Halloween party.
You can old fashioned photos and prints at flea markets or, if you are a whiz at graphic design, you could even make your own vintage looking digital prints and sell them as digital downloads.
18. Vintage Leather Items
Leather is expensive and let’s face it, it looks better when it has a worn-in patina.
Vintage leather belts, wallets, purses and even jackets can all fetch a pretty penny if they are in top condition and Etsy is the right place to sell it.
With the revival of 1980s and 90s fashions, even leather trouser are making a comeback too – it’s the perfect time to get on the bandwagon.
19. Vintage Vinyl
Vinyl records are having a renaissance!
Lots of people are buying record players and starting to appreciate the sound of vinyl music again.
The main question of course is where to find old records that you can sell in your online business.
Used record stores, flea markets and thrift stores are all a good idea when it comes to flipping vinyl for a profit.
20. Vintage Lace
One of the most popular Etsy listings right now is for some lengths of antique lace that can be used as a wedding veil or in crafts.
All kinds of vintage lace are in high demand on Etsy. From trim for dressmaking to delicate lace doilies and tablecloths, if you can find lace in good condition, it is a great thing to flip for a profit as a new Etsy seller.
21. Vintage Map Reprints
Antique maps and globes are really popular on Etsy.
Whether they are wall prints or those old-fashioned pull down maps that used to be in every schoolroom, they are one of the best selling items on Etsy.
If you want to make even more money with your vintage maps, a better idea than selling them is to have them printed on things like coffee mugs, water bottles or even phone cases – that way you can make money over and over again with the same map.
I don’t have an Etsy Store, how do I get started?
If selling vintage items on Etsy interests you but you don’t have an Etsy shop yet, fear not – you can be up and running in just minutes.
Etsy won’t allow you to create a store without adding at least one listing so make sure you are ready to go before you start your shop.
Ideally you would have around 10 vintage items to list to make it worth your while.
If you haven’t started your shop yet, make sure to go through this tutorial on How To Start An Etsy Store Successfully
It will take you step by step through from creating to launching your Etsy shop.
And don’t forget to use my link for 40 free listings which will help you to start your store without paying listing fees.
Tips for a successful Etsy Store
Ready to start your Etsy shop? Without further ado, let’s look at the first things you need to do:
1.Pick An Awesome Name
Your Etsy store name is really important for searches so make sure to read up on How To Name Your Etsy Shop.
You’ll want a super catchy name that tells your target market what your store sells.
Try and find a name that looks good on a business card and also one that is available on Instagram and Facebook.
2. Niche Down
The key to a successful Etsy shop is narrowing down your niche.
Niches stores will be found in the Etsy search easier and match with buyers quicker.
This helps with your Etsy SEO and makes your store most likely to be found by potential customers.
Once you have picked a broad niche, niche down even further.
This is the easiest way for new sellers to launch their shop successfully.
So let’s say you are interested in selling vintage clothing.
You could further niche that down to sell just vintage dresses or belts only.
Become a specialist in your niche and you will be the go-to Etsy store for those vintage items.
3. Promote Your Store
Just slapping your listings up on Etsy will only get you so far.
You need to actively promote your store on social media and especially sites like Pinterest.
Read my guide on How To Use Pinterest For Etsy to get you started.
You can also making an Etsy Store Website to further promote your Etsy items to a larger audience.
Make sure that you are offering great prices and promotions such as free shipping to entice your buyers to purchase from your store.
And don’t forget to provide great customer service!
How To Find Amazing Vintage Items To Flip On Etsy
I’ve already mentioned that you can look in flea markets, thrift stores and even garage sales for great vintage items to sell.
Estate sales and house contents auctions are also great places to find some treasures to flip.
The key is finding items at great prices so that you can turn an easy profit and sustain your business for a long time.
If you want learn more about how to spot the best vintage items to sell on Etsy- make sure to attend this FREE workshop hosted by Rob.
Just sign up and you can pick the time to attend that suits you.
In the webinar, you will learn:
- 5 signs flipping/reselling items could be a perfect fit for you.
- 3 insider secrets that will help you grow your flipping profits.
- The best places to find items to flip
- Why flea market flipping is a recession-proof business
- How flipping can set someone free from 9 to 5 job responsibilities and still provide financial security