About Us

Hi! I'm Sarah, the person behind Subject Matter.

I began selling vintage in 2019 with a simple idea: your wardrobe should be personal, thoughtful, and built from what already exists. Vintage and preloved pieces remind us that style doesn’t have to rely on what’s new. They teach us to value resources, craftsmanship, and the stories objects carry.

Secondhand has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My grandma would show me pieces she found at yard sales: beaded purses, embroidered linens, and little trinkets she picked up for almost nothing but treated like treasures. As someone who grew up with very little, she always saw beauty in what others overlooked.

What started as those early moments with her grew into a way for me to explore style, creativity, and the past. Over time, I’ve come to believe we can learn from the things we surround ourselves with. The name Subject Matter is a nod to that idea. Our objects reflect culture, history, and identity. Choosing secondhand is a simple, tangible way to connect with that.

Everything in the shop is sourced around New York, cleaned and mended by hand, and priced to stay accessible. My hope is that you find something that feels personal, practical, and a little more sustainable, whether it’s your first piece or one of many.

Shop with us online, at events, and at our retail partners: Everything’s Fine Vintage and Junkyard Thrift. I hope you find something you love.

xx
Sarah

Our Garment Lifecycle

Step 1

Each piece is hand-selected from a variety of local suppliers. By keeping our sourcing as local as possible, we are able to help support other small businesses and individual sellers here in New York. On the hunt for something specific? Let us know!

Step 2

The majority of our garments are gently hand-washed with biodegradable, no-rinse soap and cold water to minimize stress on the fabric and limit water use. Synthetic fabrics are washed in a GUPPYFRIEND bag to prevent microfibers from shedding and polluting our water. Garments are then line-dried and steamed. For pieces that require specialized cleaning, we use at-home care methods or an eco-friendly dry cleaners.

Step 3

We ship in 100 percent recycled content, plastic-free packaging that can be reused or recycled further. Our irl pieces are labeled with 100 percent recycled content tags, printed with algae ink, and strung with organic linen.

Step 4

Our goal is for every customer to love their purchase! It’s our sincere hope that our preloved pieces spark (or sustain) ongoing interest in secondhand clothing.

Step 5

When it’s time for you and your Subject Matter® finds to part ways, recycle your garments by swapping with friends, selling online, or donating to a community thrift store for someone else to love.