How To: The Flea Market

This amazing how-to kind of quells my "flea markets are my worst nightmare" fears. It's a how-to approach for what to do with the mayhem and I kind of think it makes sense...

1. Keep your eye on the ball. “We try to talk beforehand and focus ourselves a little bit,” Entis says. Markets are open on various days, but the girls prefer Saturdays (the most vendors turn out) and suggest arriving when the gates open (usually around 9 a.m.). Most important, know what you’re looking for before you get there.

2. Weather makes all the difference. “On a cold or cloudy day, fewer vendors set up,” Bell says. “That means there are fewer shoppers too. So, the vendors there are more likely to make a deal. One of Shira’s most successful excursions happened at the outdoor Chelsea flea on a cold and windy day. Only three vendors made it out and because Shira was their only customer she walked away with a huge box of YSL blouses and antique brocade fabrics. Great finds!”

3. Your outfit might, too. “When marketing outside of the city, we try not to look like New Yorkers,” Entis says. “Especially no jewelry!” When you are in Manhattan, the jig is usually up and vendors know a tourist from a seasoned shopper a mile away. Dress casual and for comfort. You don’t have to prove anything about your vintage know-how.

4. Let them do the talking: “Being coy is the name of the game,” Bell says. “No one is going to give you a deal if they think you’re going to turn around and sell it on eBay. But on the flip side, don’t be naïve.” It’s O.K. to eventually let them know you know Balenciaga from Target and that you’re not going to get pushed around.

5. It’s O.K. to be thrifty: “We rarely spend more than $100 during the entire day,” Entis says. “And, we always have a good bartering session with the vendors,” Bell adds. Entis scored a vintage Chanel jacket for $40, and Bell found a pair of new Oscar de la Renta heels for $15 at the Chelsea flea. “If you are buying multiple items, they’ll usually give you a better deal rather than just buying one item,” says Bell, who along with Entis stocked up on military blankets from vendors for their fall 2011 collection.

6. Go with a friend: “We like to help each other,” Entis says. And what’s more fun than shopping with a friend?

(photo: courtesy of T Magazine)

My Campus Years

I know I may technically work in fashion now, but I've got to say that it's really my college years that were probably the most fashion formative. I learned about polo button-downs and the beauty of a Burberry scarf. But really, I have a certain nolstagia for the way I used to dress. So that is why I got so excited when I saw this little feature on the best campus dressing from TV. I think bloggers, etc are so busy getting exciting about Gossip Girl fashions that they leave out these oldies but goodies. Rory Gilmore on the The Gilmore Girls (and yes, I sometimes watch it on SoapNet) and Felicity!!!! are just two of the featured co-eds who got it right in their own way...and by the way, what a way it was. It's fun to look back and see maybe how what they wore influenced us. Or did it?

(photos: courtesy of Refinery29)

The Appearance of a Smaller Waist

I know this is a dreaded conversation but as you get older and things kind of shift around, I notice the one thing that I keep coming back to is that I want a smaller waist. But, let's face it, that isn't happening anytime soon. It's just not in my DNA (remember, I'm a rectangle). So, here's a picture that shows a really flouncy, bouncy skirt and the volume of the skirt alone makes the waist look incredibly smaller by comparison. I think if you've got skirts that have a little extra room, you can even take it to a tailor and have them add layers. The more volume means the smaller your waist will look in comparison. Just be careful to not get too out of control or you'll just end up looking way wide, which would defeat the purpose altogether. 

(photo: courtesy of Atlantic Pacific)

Friendship Bracelet Frenzy

This video is crazy hypnotizing and makes me want to landyard or make friendship bracelets, asap. If I had more time I'd have an armful in cool neons for Summer. Anyone down for a trip to Michael's?

How to Wear It: The Little Leather Jacket

I hate to admit it, but ever since I took the plunge and got my leather jacket (the definition of an investment piece), it's been sitting in my closet unworn. Sure, it brings a smile to my face every time my fingers cross over it, but for the most part, I just can't seem to figure out what to wear it with. I don't have enough of those cute flirty Summer dresses that need a tough leather edge, and I can't seem to make it work with tees and jeans. For some reason the proportions always seem off on me. But then I saw this pic and realized this is just one of what I am sure are a trillion ways to wear the jacket. The shirt has got to be a bit longer to offset the shorter hem of the jacket and it's cool if the color works against the jacket's kind of structured color (the buttoned-up button down looks just right with the jackets ironed-down lapel). I know that I for one am ready to take the challenge now head on after seeing this inspiration.

(photo: courtesy of Vanessa Jackman)

Sheer Genius

Today I saw a girl at work wearing a short-ish skirt and a longer, sheer overlay on top. Frankly, it could have been two different skirts, I have no idea, but I like the way it was even sexier than just wearing a plain-old, boring short skirt. The sheer overlay gives the illusion of coverage. And even if it's just an illusion it somehow becomes all-of-a-sudden dressy. These pics look very etherial and almost angelic and I love the notion that you can rough up this sweet short meets long with tough details and maybe even pair a longer lace overlay over a short black skirt for a kind of new-age punk look. I think you can really pair any colors and textures so long as one is short, one is long, and you can play a bit of peekaboo with each.

(photo: courtesy of SheFinds)

The Basics: Back to Black

I'm sure you've felt the same way: Sometimes it's easy to get into a funk and want to wear all black, head to toe, without an ounce of skin showing. But if you're goign to go there, why not mix things up by at least using various textures and fabrics. This picture is such an awesome example of how to do it well. the combo of leathers, knits, textures, and layers that have all these fun, contrasting lengths. Not only is the leather such a rich detail, but the jacket comes down almost right to the hemline of the skirt which is SO much black, but still it doesn't look dowdy or funeral-ish. I guess if you're going to do it--and sometimes we can't help but--you've got to do it in an interesting way. Contrasted against her pale skin (which is oh-so-me), the black actually looks rich and beautiful as opposed to blah, which is how it can come across. Next time, you're in a rut and feeling the blues (or rather the blacks), this is the way to go.

(photo: courtesy of New York Magazine)