In our weekly Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story.
As fans of glossy fashion editorials and connoisseurs of carefully cultivated personal style can attest, one of the surest ways to take a look to the next level is by adding a just-right vintage piece—whether it’s an of-the-moment oversized fleece or an everyday staple with a colorful twist (stoplight-red raincoat, anyone?). The only snag is finding that heart-stopping item from yesteryear, which usually requires hours of digging at your local thrift. (Not to mention luck.) That’s where Agnieszka Emilia’s one-woman shop, Oldwool, comes in.
Explore the Oldwool collection
Brimming with on-trend finds from her hometown of Wrocław, Poland, Agnieszka’s shop takes the hardest part about collecting vintage—the hunt—out of the equation. “When I’m sourcing items for my shop, I look for flashy colors and bold, abstract patterns,” she says. “Stripes. Dots. Color blocks. I also love unique styles and strange, exaggerated shapes.” Thanks to her discerning eye and clear, consistent aesthetic, you could practically mix and match an entire wardrobe from her shop at any given time.
Another distinctive feature of Agnieszka’s inventory? Everything she sells is unisex. “I don’t think it’s necessary to label clothing according to gender,” she says. “I believe in giving people the freedom to wear what they like.” Read on to learn more about the origins and ethos of Oldwool, which hit 500 sales within its first year—and shop Agnieszka’s collection.
How did you start selling vintage?
I studied law at university, but during my third year I decided I didn’t want to follow a traditional career path and work as a lawyer. Around that time, I became interested in photography; I started looking for a way to make a living that offered a sense of freedom. One of my friends was running an illustration shop on Etsy, and I realized I could sell vintage there. It was perfect for me because I really love old items. I’ve been wearing secondhand pieces for about 10 years now—I rarely buy anything new. I opened Oldwool in June 2017, and I’ve been selling vintage ever since.
What interests you about vintage clothing?
I love giving discarded items a second life. We have such an abundance of everything on this planet, and I believe we should try to decrease our production. That’s utopian, of course, but still: Sharing, reducing, and reusing may rescue us one day.
Where do you find the pieces for your shop?
Almost all of my pieces come from charity shops and flea markets in Wrocław. Sometimes I make trips to smaller towns in my region, but 90 percent of what’s in my shop I’ve collected here in my home city.
Do you ever fall in love with a piece and want to keep it for yourself?
Of course! My wardrobe is in a constant state of change, but I try to keep it as minimal as possible. I only hold onto something when I really need it and it fits me well. Lately I’ve been wearing mostly track pants and fleece pullovers.
What are your most popular items?
Tracksuits, vintage sweatshirts, and ski suits.
Oh yes, your ski suits! They’re so colorful and awesome.
Sometimes they remind me of space suits for cosmic travel more than ordinary ski suits! I love finding versions from the ‘80s and ‘90s in neon colors and bold patterns—I had several like that as a child. Retro styles and color-blocking make me especially nostalgic.
Where do you work?
Oldwool takes up one-and-a-half rooms in my house. The full room is a photo studio and the half room is a warehouse. It’s very comfortable to work from home, but it’s challenging, too. You never really leave. Having free time requires discipline.
What’s a typical day like for you?
In addition to running my shop, I’m also a freelance photographer, so it differs. Sometimes I spend entire days focused on my shop—searching for new items, preparing for photo shoots, shooting new collections, listing items online, providing customer service, shipping orders—and other days I focus on photography commissions. I do a lot of personal photography projects on the side, so I really don’t have much free time.
What are some of your goals for 2019?
To work less, but more effectively. And to go on a great vacation!
Follow Oldwool on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photographs courtesy of Oldwool.
29 comments
Kateryna from BoutiqueUA said 2 years ago
I've never tryed such clothing style but actualy i liked it! Ski suits look realy perfect!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 2 years ago
Lovely shop. Congrats on the feature.
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 2 years ago
What a great way to reduce. I love your shop. Keep up the great work and congratulations on your feature. I wish you the very best for 2019.
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 2 years ago
I love all the color from that era. Those snow suits are awesome, congratulations on the feature!
branda Moreno from branda said 2 years ago
Great!! Congratulations!!!! :-) :-)
Leo Nuvunga from AfricanCraftsCenter said 2 years ago
Interesting! Congrats on the feature!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 2 years ago
3 Cheers to individuality and going for what makes you happy. Super colors ~ imaginative designs and recycled materials ~!~ Much continued success.
Gabriel from TuxedoCatCurations said 2 years ago
I love the modeling and setting! This is great :D
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 2 years ago
Great shop!
Stekia Pantou from StekiapantouStore said 2 years ago
vintage is not my style but i like to see happy artist people to make what they love
Dana from PartyFavorsbyDesign said 2 years ago
I love the vibrant colors. They're the spice of life! The photography of your pieces just makes me smile!
Sandi Hansen from MemorableTimbers said 2 years ago
Great story. Thank you for sharing. We can all do more to give things a second life. Love your photos.
ciaffi from ciaffi said 2 years ago
Fantastic!!! Compliments!!! :-) :-)
Ana Paula from macraMe said 2 years ago
Congratulations!!! :-) :-)
Mariana from diasyflores said 2 years ago
Great vintage shop!!! :-) :-)
cherryZO from cherryZOvintage said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature ! Outstanding shop ! Love the 80s !
Christina from TheWildPlum said 2 years ago
Such a fun (and bright) feature and shop. Congratulations!!!
FuchsiaMoon from TheFuchsiaMoon said 2 years ago
I enjoyed this colorful upbeat feature on the vintage shop, Oldwool. We were talking about our skiing days and ski wear styles yesterday. As a fellow vintage seller, reading Agnieszka's goals for 2019 truly resonated with me. I'm grateful for Agnieszka and Aleksa's collaboration to bring us this blog piece. Thank you and best wishes to both of you for 2019.
Rosita from pillowlink said 2 years ago
Super cute style!
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 2 years ago
Bright and unusual clothes. Retro style is not for me, but I believe many people like this)
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 2 years ago
Fun shop! Congrats on the feature!
Marilyse from TheNostalgicCloset said 2 years ago
There are feeling good movies and feeling good clothing styles!
Tilliegirlstudio from Tilliegirlstudio said 2 years ago
Love all of the colors!! And the ski suits, really darling. Congrats on the feature.
Oriaku Onuoha-Bean from JewelryByOri said 2 years ago
Love, Love, Love the retro vibes! Congrats on the feature!
Nara A. from KamakaShop said 2 years ago
This shop is super, so love the presentation, model, how they present the products to be lively, and interesting
Oonah from unatuna said 2 years ago
This are very carefully picked items! Well done! Long live the 90's!
Dan Neto from Festiviteees said 1 year ago
In love with the vintage clothing!
Ginny Bingham from GinnysJewelCreations said 1 year ago
I am new to Etsy. I'm just reading everything I can. I have not sold any jewelry on Etsy yet, but I have been talking to friends, sharing pieces on fb, and just trying different things. Thank you for sharing your info in this blog. Very informative.
Tasha from MollyKissDesign said 1 year ago
cool!