There’s no bigger flex than telling someone who compliments an item of clothing that it’s vintage. That statement implies that the piece was acquired through careful research and a dash of lucky timing. Not to mention a certain sense of smugness given that it’s likely rare or even one-of-a-kind. And while thrifted shoes, handbags, and even lingerie are commonplace, buying and wearing someone else’s old workout clothes always seemed a little wrong — until now. In recent years there’s been a surge of interest in vintage athleticwear and it’s not just limited to trackpants and sweatshirts. From sports bras to leggings to running shorts, women are looking toward the past for their exercise needs.

That’s not a surprise for Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Depop’s trends spokesperson, given the state of workout clothes at the moment, “The landscape has flattened into a singular archetype — minimal, matching sets. It feels so prescribed that it can seem impossible to chisel out one’s own personal style within current offerings that are just variations on the same theme,” she said. In her opinion, vintage finds offer an opportunity to stand out and reflect a time when pieces were designed with more flair. That drive to find clothing that feels more authentic also rings true to Ash Foo and Jess Tran, who founded Rocki Equipment Club, a site devoted to secondhand activewear designed for adventure and the outdoors. “People are moving away from newly made mass-produced lines and a skin tight aesthetic that has reigned for quite some time. We’re both really interested in the intersection between style and movement plus the aesthetic of ‘80s to ‘00s outdoor brands and sports clothing,” said Tran of the reasoning behind their startup.

Not all vintage silhouettes are created equal, however, with each decade offering up styles that are in higher demand. “From the ‘70s it’d be high waisted, cheeky shorts while the ‘80s is all about pieces with vibrant color. The new millennium aesthetics of the ‘90s and early 2000s is also very popular,” said Karefa-Johnson. And the search numbers on Depop reflect that with terms like “vintage sports bra,” “vintage Lululemon,” and “vintage Under Armour” increasing anywhere from 75 percent to 121 percent over the last three months. Meanwhile for Tran and Foo, they’re doing brisk business carving out a niche for themselves that includes selling roomy tech shorts, hiking pants, and a smattering of tanks and mini shorts. “We’re highly aware of trend cycles, so currently we’re gravitating to Y2K styles for more lifestyle and gym wear, but as avid hikers and explorers ourselves, we also understand the importance of fabric and technicality,” said Tran.

For anyone concerned about hygiene, rest assured, “We provide cleaned clothing for our customers,” said Foo, noting that pieces are checked to ensure they’re in a condition that’s fit to be sold. And for those still unsure, Karefa-Johnson has the following advice, “There’s still a misconception that secondhand means less hygienic, but activewear is made to withstand frequent washing and repeated wear. With anything you bring into your wardrobe, a quick toss in the laundry is all it takes. Choosing pre-loved sportswear simply extends the life of pieces that still have plenty left to give.” So the next time you need something for the gym or beyond, why not opt for a special, secondhand find? After all, a vintage skirt and a vintage sports bra make for a pretty compelling, unique combo.