10 Clothing Items That Are Better Vintage Than New

Brands like Allen Edmonds, Florsheim, and Alden have been producing high-quality hardbottoms for ages. Coming up on a beat-up pair of brogues is a blessing in disguise: scuffs at the bottom help the shoes maintain a grip on the ground, and when they get worn down enough, you can get them resoled and refurbished to be good as new. It's the find that keeps on giving.

Waxed canvas jackets from brands like Barbour and Belstaff develop a patina over time. Just like your raw denim, the more weathered it looks—the more awesome it is. And while these things cost a premium brand new, when they're not-so-gently used you can score a great deal.

Instead of copping a new pair of sunnies or eyeglasses, you can definitely find a few in a vintage store. A great find would be a pair of Ray-Ban shades made by Bausch & Lomb—when the company was still making their goods in the U.S., and using superior materials. You also can't go wrong with a pair of Cazals either. If you want to make them into eyeglasses, just take them to an optometrist and get lenses put in—you'll still save money as opposed to if you were buying a whole new pair.

Why buy a reproduction when the real thing is just so much better? Whether searching on eBay or finding it in a vintage shop, there's just something about the authenticity of finding gear from an old team, or your favorite team's old logo.

You can really find a lot of great sportcoats in fabrics like tweed, corduroy, and plenty of cold-weather friendly, textured materials. The best part? If they fit you at the shoulders, you can get 'em tailored to fit you perfectly. Brands like Polo, Brooks Brothers, and Yves Saint Laurent are great finds, and often don't look out of place next to today's offerings.

Tie bars, cufflinks, and pocket squares are just much cooler if they've been handed down from a grandparent, or look like they've been. Should you run into a cool accessory while digging through a vintage shop, they can definitely add an element of originality to any outfit, and you don't have to worry about people trying to copy your style—because these sorts of things are hard to come by. Even better? Monogrammed stuff that just happens to match your own initials.

Red Wings, Wolverines, and plenty of other hardy footwear brands have been doing their thing for a while, so you can come up on a beat-up pair pretty easily. That's actually easier for your feet—someone else has done the breaking in for you, the result is usually comfortable boots that'll last many seasons, and you can keep on throwing a chunky sole on them year after year.

Whether it's a Burberry, Mackintosh, or even old London Fog, a trenchcoat is a classic outerwear piece that never goes out of style. They get better with age, and finding one with dope features like removable lining and water-resistant fabric is sure to outlast any new version made of non-treated cotton. Before they were a fashion piece, they were a reliable rain jacket.

If you're lucky, grandpa or your dad might pass you down a quality timepiece like a Rolex, Patek Philippe, or Omega. If not, you're gonna have to pony up the cash for one. To save some dough, and get a really unique piece, you should invest in one with a few years on it. Learning about vintage watches is a great way to learn about what makes a quality timepiece, as well as the intricacies and nuances that come with watch collecting—you get to find out why exactly so many people nerd out about it. And hopefully, after you make that investment, you'll have something with a rad story behind it.

Leather jackets simply look better beat up. Plus, they're upwards of $400 brand new, and about half that when worn-in. Half the price, and half the work of breaking it in? That's a win-win situation.