celebrity stylist Allison Bornstein knows that some of the best things in fashion come with a little history.
More than 1,000 of her fellow shoppers attended Poshfest 2026, held at City Market Social House in Los Angeles, Calif., on October 2. Tori Spelling And Lucy HaleBornstein shared his secrets to winning hard-to-get gems with ET.
For starters, the wardrobe consultant she works with Katie Holmes, Gigi HadidAnd Island FishermanShe recommends giving pre-loved pieces a try before splurging on the latest trends.
“I’m a vintage lover. I love second hand. I think anything you can find, you can find a better one, even the original version. Everything is a reference, so it’s fun to go to the source.”
As for what’s going on right now, Bornstein is ready to make a statement.
“I’m seeing more faux fur on the runways and in general. I’m seeing boas, vests, ostrich feathers and things that are a little more ‘look at me’. There was a time when we were all very elegant, but I’m into glamorous looks,” she explains.
But before you add anything to your cart, Dress Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscover the Joy of Dressing The author has a few tricks up his sleeve.
“If you’re shopping online, I always like to go to well-curated expensive places, find things I like, and then move on. Poshmarky and find them cheaper. A really good tip is that sometimes sellers don’t know exactly what they have, so simplify the description. Explain what you want as your friend’s husband described it to you. “I was looking for a tiger eye necklace and typed in ‘brown bead necklace’ and found some really good options,” she says.
Another rule of thumb is to pay attention to the fabric label rather than the designer label.
“I look at the ingredients, which is great because a lot of Poshmark sellers put the composition on their listings. I think that’s really important. Sometimes it’s about how something is made rather than the designer on the label,” she notes.
“People can be obsessed with the label, but when it comes to vintage it’s less important because Banana Republic and Gap had amazing pieces in the ’90s. You don’t need to buy something from Armani. There can still be an incredible leather jacket that will really stand the test of time.”
In fact, Bornstein believes that some items only get better with age.
“I love vintage leather and suede because I know I’m going to mess it up a bit, so I feel less valuable when things are already worn. When things are very new, they’ll look cheap, even if they’re not. When things break, it gives it that character.”
Of course, no wardrobe is complete without classic denim.
“If you can find a pair of good vintage jeans, God bless you. Get them. They’re hard to find, but there are two pairs of vintage Levi’s that I can never get rid of and will always remain in my wardrobe,” he shares.
When you find gold, a little maintenance goes a long way.
“I love you Rowenta Steamer Because it’s nice to add some freshness to things you already have. It makes him feel more like he’s yours and gives him some freshness. … Some vintage things are really delicate, so you don’t actually want to dry clean them. I have a lot of vintage pieces with beads and details, and you can be much more delicate with a steamer. This has iron-like results, but without the ironing.”
While everyone loves returning to the past, keeping one foot in the present is key to a timeless look rather than staying stuck in the past.
“I never want to look like I’m wearing a costume. … If you’re wearing cool shorts from the 1930s, pair it with a sweatshirt or do it with a really nicely structured white T-shirt instead of a lacy white tank. I don’t want to take everything from a period, and I like to mix it with something that feels modern. It’s just about contrast and tension.”
RELATED CONTENT: