STEP 1
From a wardrobe to a new beginning.
Every piece starts somewhere: a much-loved wardrobe, a shop rail or stock that never found its first owner.
When clothing is no longer wanted or needed, it may be donated through collection bins, charity shops or community organisations. Other pieces enter the second-hand trade through wardrobe clear-outs, estate sales or surplus retail stock, sometimes called deadstock.
These are some of the ways clothing enters the wider vintage and second-hand supply chain. Each piece has a different history, but there’s still plenty of life left in clothing that someone else has finished with.
STEP 2
Collected and delivered to a rag house
Collected clothing may then make its way to a textile sorting warehouse, often known in the trade as a “rag house” or “rag yard”.
These facilities receive clothing from donation collections and other sources, bringing together pieces from different places and eras. Some are small operations; others handle clothing on an industrial scale.
Among the everyday garments, there may be an old work jacket, beautifully faded denim or a forgotten band tee—ready to be rediscovered during sorting.
STEP 3
Sorted by skilled hands
Inside the rag house, the sorting begins. Clothing is often moved along conveyor belts, where experienced staff separate garments into categories such as T-shirts, dresses, denim and jackets.
It’s fast-moving work that takes a practised eye. Sorters handle a huge variety of clothing, recognising different garment types, fabrics and details as each piece passes through their hands.
Once grouped, the clothing moves on for closer assessment—another step towards finding pieces that can be worn and enjoyed again.
STEP 4
A closer look at every piece
Once clothing has been sorted into categories, it’s assessed more closely. This stage is often called “grading”, with staff considering details such as condition, age, brand, size and distinctive features.
Some suppliers use letter grades such as A, B or C, while others have their own categories. There’s no single grading system used across the whole vintage trade.
Grading helps buyers understand what they’re sourcing, but character matters too. Faded fabric, a worn print or a careful repair can be part of a garment’s appeal, rather than something to overlook.
STEP 5
Curated by us, ready for you
Once sorted and graded, clothing is ready for vintage wholesalers and independent retailers like Love Bubble Co. to select their stock.
Our part is choosing pieces we’d be excited to find ourselves. We look at the fabric, construction, fit and details, alongside the character that comes with age and wear—from everyday favourites to something a little unexpected.
Our selections come together in our West End shop and separate online collection. After all those steps, the next chapter is yours: finding a piece you love and making it part of your everyday wardrobe.