Understanding our Collection

  • Curated and Unique

    We keep a sharp eye on both local and national trends to curate a vintage collection that feels fresh and widely appealing. Each piece has its own unique story.

    Most of our items come straight from our local community in Cortland, NY. Having a brick-and-mortar shop has been key to trading treasures with our neighbors and reinvesting in our town. We also rescue items from trusted wholesale sources, giving them a second life instead of letting them go to waste.

    We are devoted to investing in well-made, interesting pieces, made from primarily natural, long-lasting fibers.

  • Clean and Repaired

    Every item is carefully laundered before it hits our website or store. If something needs extra care, like stain treatment or repairs, we handle that too to our greatest extent, ensuring it’s ready for its next chapter.

    Not everything comes to us in pristine condition, but we wish to give everything a fresh start and remove the guesswork from our customer's perspective: what you see is what you get, and it is ready-to-wear upon receiving.

    We use unscented detergent on launderable items. Leather goods are often only spot cleaned and conditioned. Wools may either be washed or heavily steamed.

  • Priced with Care

    Every item in our collection is thoughtfully curated and often lovingly restored to ensure it’s ready for a new chapter. We invest the time to honor each piece’s story. Our pricing reflects this care and aligns with national market values for similar items, striking a balance between fair value and the effort behind the scenes.

    For more info on the buying/selling process, see the following link:

    Sell your vintage 
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New Inventory

  • New Items Weekly

    In order to keep a steady influx of new vintage for you to shop, we strive to meet our self-set weekly quota of 40 or more items added on Mondays at 8 PM EST.

    These drops are geared toward the present season and can contain a mixture of any and all categories.

    For previews of the upcoming drop, follow us on Instagram.

    Instagram 

  • New Arrivals

    When a new group of items drops, they will show in the "new arrivals" collection via our homepage, as well as in their respective categories.

    "New arrivals" rotates through about 3 weeks of drops, and then remaining items will only be found in their respective categories.

    Locate the categories by clicking the pull down menu in the upper left corner and selecting "shop."

    New Arrivals 

  • Available in Store

    Everything listed online is also available in store. If you can't find it on the rack, ask an associate to check the back room.

    Don't want to risk the wait? You can choose "pick up in store" when you checkout online. Your item will be waiting for you at our Cortland store.

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How to Browse

  • Everything All at Once

    View everything as one category and sift through page by page. Organize by price or date added.

    Shop All 

  • Browse by Category

    Select and browse only the category that you wish to see, one at a time. This menu can be accessed from every page via the pull down > shop tab.

    Categories 

  • Search

    Want to see if we have something specific? Use the search feature (magnifying glass in the upper right) to search for specific items.

    Example: Blue XL sweatshirt

    Example: NFL sweatshirt

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Check for Flaws

  • Everything has some character

    Everything we curate has a past life, so signs of wear are part of the package. While we mention major flaws when possible, some wear might go unlisted—it’s all part of the charm.

    We trust our customers to understand and embrace this. After all, isn’t that what makes vintage so special?

  • Flaws are noted and pictured

    Each listing description, where applicable, contains a "note" that spells out noticeable flaws.

    We curate items we think look super cool, rare, or have exceptional construction, even if sometimes flaws are apparent. Flaws are part of a garment’s story—something to appreciate, not always a reason to toss it aside. 

    That said, everyone has a different tolerance for flaws. Be sure to recognize what you are comfortable in.

  • What you see is what you get

    We try our best to spell out and photograph flaws so that buyers understand exactly what they are paying for.

    Reciprocally, we trust buyers to inform themselves by reading the description offered and inspecting each photograph so there are no surprises.

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Sizing made Simple

  • Don't rely on the tag

    Sizing through the decades is more or less arbitrary. With different cuts, preferred fits, and an array of brands, all spanning 80 or so years, tag sizing is not a dependable way to go when it comes to vintage.

    Instead, we use our knowledge of these variables as well as tactile measurements to estimate an item's size by conventional modern standards. This size is what is listed in the title of each listing.

    In the description, we usually note how our estimation compares to the original tagged size.

  • Measurements Provided

    Chest & length for tops -

    Waist, hip, and inseam for bottoms -

    These measurements are taken from the garments laying flat and noted in the description of each listing.

    This is to make sure items are accurately represented.

    We trust our customers to take measurements into account when making their purchases and also to reach out if additional measurements, such as sleeve length, are required.

  • Compare

    The best way to get a sense of the size of an item is to choose an item from your own wardrobe that has your desired fit. Lay the item flat and take measurements with a tape measurer or yard stick, and compare the lengths with the measurements listed in the description.

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Purchase with Confidence

  • Experience

    Our Lot 1 Vintage website and store may have only been around since 2021, but we have been curating and selling clothing for over a decade.

    We want to share our vintage collection with you and hope you find something cool that you would not be able to find anywhere else, but most of all we care deeply that our customers have a clear, easy, and positive experience.

    About Us 

  • Sales are Final

    Yes, all sales are final.

    We believe we provide all of the details necessary to make an informed purchase. Please review descriptions and photographs, and take measurements in order to ensure your new vintage find fits the way you expect. Double-check, and don't be afraid to contact us if necessary!

    Policy 

  • Questions?

    Reach out - we're happy to help!

    Your buying confidence is of the utmost importance to us. If you have any questions, please contact us. We will answer to the best of our ability.

    Contact Us 
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It Makes a Difference!

  • Shop Second-Hand

    Shopping second-hand is innately sustainable. Increasing the demand for items already in circulation decreases the demand for newly created textile goods, many of which utilize unsafe factory practices, exploit workers, and result in a subpar, easily disposable product.

  • Challenge Yourself

    Shopping second-hand is a treasure hunt, too. Every piece has a unique character you won’t find in mass-produced fashion. It’s a chance to express your individuality, support circular fashion, and challenge yourself to style something you may never have seen styled before.

  • Small Business

    Supporting our small business means supporting our whole community. Not only do we pay our community members directly for their vintage goods, we believe in shopping small and locally whenever possible; profits earned here circulate with integrity. Your support allows us to live our dream and keep maintaining our store.

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