Frequently Asked Questions

New around here? Welcome to YBMV Collective!

Found us on your feed, stumbled across our online store or spotted something that caught your eye? We're happy you're here!

Whether you're a vintage lover, a Y2K enthusiast, a fan of a little sparkle or simply someone who loves finding pieces with personality, here's everything you need to know before finding your next favourite.

ABOUT YBMV

What does YBMV stand for?

YBMV stands for You Butterfly Me Vintage – the name our little business was originally built around.

The butterfly has always been a big part of our story. It's a symbol of individuality, transformation & embracing what makes you different. We believe fashion should be fun, expressive & a little unexpected.

Our motto? Giving you butterflies everywhere you go.

How did YBMV Collective begin?

YBMV started back in 2016 as a little vintage venture, inspired by a love for unique clothing, individuality & the joy of finding something truly special.

What began as a small garage pop-up grew into market stalls, a community of vintage lovers & eventually our very own physical store in Cape Town.

Today, YBMV Collective is a curated mix of vintage, pre-loved, new & handmade fashion, accessories & all the little things that make getting dressed exciting.

We're still growing, still hunting for amazing finds & still doing things our way!

What makes YBMV different?

We're all about pieces with personality.

From authentic Y2K treasures & nostalgic vintage finds to statement accessories, festival favourites & handmade gems, we handpick pieces that stand out from the everyday.

We love individuality, a little nostalgia & fashion that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Our philosophy is simple: wear what you love, have fun with it & don't be afraid to be different.

OUR COLLECTIONS

Are all YBMV pieces vintage or pre-loved?

Not everything has a previous life! Our collections include:

Vintage: Authentic older pieces, with our vintage selection dating from 2000 & earlier.
Pre-loved: Previously owned pieces that deserve another outing.
Handmade: Unique creations made with a little extra love & individuality.
New: Brand-new additions selected to complement our collections.

Each listing specifies what you're looking at, so you know exactly what you're adding to your wardrobe.

Are your vintage pieces authentic?

We love a good vintage treasure, especially those hard-to-find Y2K & older statement pieces.

Where available, we provide details such as labels, branding, construction & other identifying features in our listings.

We aim to describe each item as accurately as possible, but please don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like additional photographs or information about a particular piece before purchasing.

Are your pieces one of a kind?

Many of them are! A big part of the fun of vintage shopping is finding something you won't see everywhere else.

Vintage & pre-loved pieces are generally individual finds, so once they're sold, we can't promise we'll find another.

If you've fallen in love with something, don't leave it sitting in your basket for too long!

CONDITION, SIZING & CARE

How do I know what condition a piece is in?

Vintage & pre-loved pieces have lived a little before finding their way to us, and that's part of their charm!

We provide condition descriptions in individual listings to help you understand what you're purchasing.

Look out for details about wear, marks, repairs, missing elements or other imperfections. Terms such as excellent, very good or good are intended as general descriptions, rather than a universal grading system.

We always encourage you to look through all the photographs & read the description before purchasing.

How can I check for flaws in the photographs?

Take your time browsing those pictures! Zoom in, look at the details & compare them with the written description.

We do our best to photograph pieces clearly, but lighting, screens & fabric textures can sometimes make small details harder to see.

If you'd like a closer look at a particular area, just ask us for additional photographs before ordering.

How do I choose the right size?

Vintage sizing can be a little unpredictable!

A vintage size 10 might fit completely differently from a modern size 10, so we recommend using the actual measurements provided in each listing rather than relying on the label alone.

Compare them with a similar item in your wardrobe that fits you well. Pay attention to the fabric, stretch & whether measurements are taken flat or around the body.

Need an extra measurement? Just ask!

How should I care for my vintage piece?

Some of our older treasures need a little extra TLC.

Always check the care label where available & consider the fabric, embellishments, lace, beading or other delicate details before washing.

Not sure how to care for something? Get in touch before attempting a wash or treatment. We'd much rather help you look after your find than have something happen to it!

SHOPPING WITH YBMV

Where can I shop YBMV?

You can find us both online & in person!

Our physical store is located at:

YBMV Collective 285b Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town.

You can also shop our latest collections through our online store, where we regularly add new vintage finds, accessories & other goodies.

Keep an eye on our social media for new arrivals, sneak peeks & upcoming uploads.

Can I visit your physical store?

Absolutely! We'd love to see you.

One thing to keep in mind is that most of our online pieces are exclusive to our online store, while our physical shop has a whole different collection of treasures waiting to be discovered.

So if you're in the area, pop in for a browse. You never know what you might find!

When do new online collections drop?

We regularly upload new pieces to our online store.

We often share sneak peeks on Instagram & TikTok before a collection goes live, so you can get a little preview of what's coming.

Can I shop something I've seen on Instagram or TikTok?

Absolutely!

If you've spotted something you love, send us the product link, a screenshot or a description of the item.

We'll help you locate it, check whether it's still available & point you in the right direction.

Please note that social media sneak peeks don't always mean an item is available for immediate purchase. Some pieces are shared ahead of scheduled online uploads.

Do you offer lay-bys?

Yes! We offer lay-by options to help make those special finds a little easier to take home.

Our current terms are:

A 10% deposit is required to secure your item.
Purchases under R500 must be paid in full by the end of the month.
Purchases of R501 or more can be paid over a maximum of three months, in three instalments.

Please contact us before arranging a lay-by so we can confirm the details.

Do you buy vintage clothing?

Yes! We're always on the lookout for genuine vintage treasures dating from the early 2000s & earlier.

We offer a few different ways to work with us:

Outright purchases: We purchase selected vintage items directly from you.
Consignment: We can sell selected pieces on your behalf, with an agreed commission split.
Donations: We happily accept vintage clothing donations.
Home clearances: We offer a service for clearing out loved ones' homes, helping give special vintage pieces a new lease on life.

Please note that we only buy in genuine vintage clothing from the early 2000s & earlier. We don't purchase modern clothing or newer items dating from 2010 onwards.

If you have a collection you'd like us to look at, get in touch with a few photographs & we'll take it from there!

RETURNS, DELIVERY & COLLECTION

Can I return a one-of-a-kind piece?

We want you to absolutely love your YBMV finds, so please take a moment to read our Returns & Refunds Policy before checking out.

Our policy distinguishes between vintage & pre-loved items and new & handmade items, including the applicable exchange conditions.

We encourage you to check photographs, descriptions, condition notes & measurements carefully before purchasing.

How much is delivery?

We offer nationwide delivery at a flat rate of R120.

Enjoy FREE shipping on qualifying orders over R1,500!

Please check the shipping options & charges at checkout for your specific order.

How long will my order take to arrive?

Our usual delivery timeframe is approximately 1–3 days after dispatch, although this can vary depending on the destination & courier.

We'll provide the relevant tracking information once your order has been dispatched.

Please remember that delivery estimates aren't guaranteed arrival dates.

Can I collect my online order from the store?

Absolutely! We offer in-store collection for online orders.

All the details & instructions on how collection works are provided at checkout when placing your order.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

I spotted something I love, but I'm not sure about the details. What should I do?

We're always happy to help!

Send us a DM or email with the product link, screenshot or name of the item & let us know what you'd like to know.

Whether it's sizing, measurements, condition, fabric, authenticity or just a closer look at those gorgeous details, we'll do our best to help.

We want you to feel confident about your purchase & excited about your new find.

Thanks for being here & supporting our little corner of the fashion world.

Stay individual, stay curious & keep giving yourself butterflies. ♡

YBMV Collective
Giving you butterflies everywhere you go.