Showdown: Urban Outfitters vs. Etsy
July 21st, 2009 | criticism, socially responsible, vintage, etsy, designOk. I know that I post a lot of stuff from Urban Outfitters right here on this very blog. But you also know that I love to hate them. Today is no exception. I am looking at their site, at the apartment section, and seeing reproductions of ceramics that my friends and I have, and thinking… you know what this is ridiculous. Some of the vintage items they knock off are infuriating because if you spent like 10 more minutes looking on Etsy or Ebay, you could find a comparable or better deal on something that is actually vintage, and therefore something that will be more likely to retain its value. As much as I am loathe to have more hipsters crowding out the thrift stores I go to, or snatching up cool vintage things on Etsy, I do want to prevent more crap from ending up in our landfills and I want to encourage people not to be so lazy. Perhaps people are under the impression that vintage is more expensive, but you will see that simply isn’t true.
I am considering making this an ongoing section where I compare a selection of things that are currently available on Etsy to things that are currently available at Urban Outfitters. In the “apartment” section in particular. Please let me know what you think!
Anyway, here are a few from today:
Urban Outfitters- $48:
Found Vintage Style- $48:
Urban Outfitters- $18:
Autumnal Always- $10:
Urban Outfitters- $16







July 23rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I like this idea! I mean, the idea of you comparing UO (aka hip-off artists, har har) to what rad vintage finds are out there.
I couldn’t ever bring myself to even consider buying that UO crap. the best part of owning vintage furniture and accessories is discovering it!
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I know, right! The thrill of the hunt, if you will, is the best part.
-Christie
August 13th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
This is a great idea. Are you planning on doing regular comparison posts?
August 14th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Pen & Paper- Yes, I think I will do a regular feature… especially when their new catalogs come out each season.
-Christie