My Best Vintage and Consignment Finds
One of my favorite things to do on a trip is to locate a vintage store or flea market. I absolutely love treasure-hunting and have found some spectacular finds abroad, as well as at my local Goodwill. Of course, if not shopping in person, Etsy is my favorite online destination for vintage wares. Here are some of my most favorite items I’ve uncovered for my wardrobe.
Christian Dior Baby Blue Waist Belt
When vintage shopping, especially when traveling, I first check out accessories like sunglasses, scarves and belts since they’re easier to pack and I can theoretically get more use out of these items, as well as let them serve as a great reminder of wherever I bought them. I found this beauty at Rose Market Vintage in Paris. My eyeballs zeroed in on my favorite color amidst a sea of vintage fabrics almost as soon as I walked in the store, and I made a bee line. This Dior belt is circa the nineties; I hemmed and hawed about it for thirty minutes and actually left the store, and then the country WITHOUT it! As soon as we were en route home, I decided on the plane I made a big mistake leaving it behind so I composed my email in the air to send when we landed and was so thrilled when I heard back from the shop owner that it was still available, and that she accepted my offer! I wear this belt all the time with sheath dresses or skirts to the office, and it is truly an outfit maker.
Veuve Clicquot Silk Scarf
This is an item for which I had an eBay alert set for months. When it appeared, I was so excited and told Nathan about it, but it had quickly gone out of my price range before I could place a bid and the listing ended. Fast forward to Christmas that year, and what should appear under our tree but this beautiful scarf for moi!? It’s 100% silk, made in France, printed with past (gorgeous) labels from the Veuve Clicquot Champagne house. I have a small, but lovely collection of silk scarves and just love how they elevate a simple outfit. Worn cowboy style, as a belt, wrapped around your wrist like a bracelet, or tied to your handbag, the ways to incorporate a scarf into your look goes on. But don’t take my word for it; the authority on silk scarves has plenty to say.
Scottish Wool Fisherman Sweater
I found this pure wool, Scottish fisherman sweater at my local Goodwill for $1. One dollar! Hands down the best money I have ever spent, and it’s the warmest, coziest thing I own. I like to think it belonged to someone who took a bucket list trip to Scotland, stayed at a castle complete with a falconry, wore it on walks on misty moors, drank whiskey by the fire…
Rhinestone Snake Wrap Bracelet
While searching for accessories for an Egyptian goddess (Isis) Halloween costume one year, I found this gorgeous, edgy 1960’s costume piece on Etsy and had to have it! The rhinestones sparkle fantastically in candlelight, and I can wear it on my wrist, or higher up on my arm close to my elbow. It’s one of my favorite statement pieces of jewelry I own, and gets me as close to a snake as I care to be.
Cheetah Print Coat
Hello, lover. I live for this coat. I have long lusted over some carpet for our house in a similar pattern, and a few years back thought I would see what an Etsy search for “cheetah” would turn up (just for fun). When I saw this coat, and that it was under $100, I snapped it up and never looked back. Also from the 1960s (an impeccable era for fashion), it’s faux fur and lined in black satin – heavenly! It’s absolutely the number one thing I would grab in a fire.
