Vintage and second-hand clothing from the 80s and earlier was generally made with higher quality standards than current fast fashion. Many vintage pieces outlast new equivalents at lower cost. The growing UK vintage market (Vinted, Depop, Oxfam Online, vintage shops) makes the option more accessible than ever.
Where vintage particularly wins
Coats and jackets (heavy wool construction now rare). Leather goods (older leather often better-tanned). Knitwear from heritage brands. Silk scarves. Costume jewellery.
Where to be cautious
Underwear (always new). Vintage shoes that have moulded to someone else's foot. Pieces with strong smells (cigarette smoke especially hard to remove). Sizes from older eras (run smaller than modern equivalents, try first).
Try one vintage piece in next 6 months. Most users discover the quality difference and the satisfaction of building wardrobes without contributing to fast-fashion churn.