A Partial List of My Favorite (Online) Vintage Sources
Initially, I was going to write about business plans because I have some great ideas that need written structure but then this list of vintage sellers started getting really long (and isn’t even exhaustive) and good editing is our friend and I’ll tell you about the ideas next time. I was also going to split the list into categories - clothing and design - but that isn’t how my brain works and if it’s beautiful it’s beautiful and aesthetic superiority (that is what I’m claiming to have after all) is a 360 degree condition of living. The list is not in any particular order, either!
Today’s wares are all sourced by vintage vendors that I love and have been following for a long time. I fall in love with online sellers when they check three boxes: 1) have impeccable taste 2) everything is of excellent quality 3) they spend palpable time and effort on their styling and photography.
The pieces highlighted are expensive but most of these sellers sell less expensive (and still really great) items. Of course, I picked my true favorites and - if you don’t know this by now - I have extraordinarily expensive taste.
The bolded words are links. I can’t figure out how to underline them.
I’ve been following Persephone Vintage for years. Always beautiful styling, photography and the pieces themselves are really special and do the hard task of transcending their eras to work in ours.
Black open back sequin dress $280. Good styling is often just the ability to layer pieces until they feel removed from their sole original purpose. This dress is elegant alone but it would look nice over a mesh shirt. With a wide belt. With a knee high boot. Or all three.
Silk raffia dress $820. Can quite honestly say I didn’t know silk raffia existed and I modeled ecomm for many years (meaning I’ve donned many unfamiliar materials for work’s sake). The successful manipulation of one medium to emulate another is art in my mind and this dress is one-of-a-kind while staying very wearable. From the 1950s no less!
It might be low brow (is it?) but I’m an avid consumer of period dramas in all of their forms so the (high brow) Westwood/Gaultier/McQueen aesthetic satisfies my aspirational style preferences. If it looks like Edith Wharton would have a ball describing its material content, I will enjoy it. Souvenir Vintage hits a lot of these notes and then some but there’s a 90s touch that keeps everything from feeling too costumed.
JPG cropped blouse $270. On first glance, it could be an under-corset chemise but we both know Gaultier wants us to wear it with exposed under boob.
Cream tulle capelet top $345. Easily could be part of a 1920 debutante’s society presentation or you could wear it with your favorite Levi’s and a ballet flat.
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