Even though I wasn’t in the best of shopping moods when I was out in San Francisco, after walking into 20 different vintage stores, rifling like crazy and basically ransacking the stores the best I could, I came out with nada. I wasn’t trying to penny-pinch and I DID see a lot of wonderful things…velvet capes, PROPER lace dresses…even a Funny Leggings Rail didn’t take my fancy (thunder BOLT leggings I tells ya…). After walking for a while, I did let out a sigh and admit defeat. I’m reaching that inevitable stage where I don’t just buy random things for the sake of them being random and I don’t Oooh and Aaah over things just because they came from a cool vintage store. I’m hoping it’s not the equivalent to a middle aged man realising he shouldn’t really be wearing leather vests because that would be quite sad.
I mentioned before that I’ve become incredibly selective with what I buy on the high street and unfortunately/fortunately (?) the same goes for vintage too. A polka dot 80s’ dress at 30 quid isn’t going to make me lick my chops and compel me to buy it even if it is a cute dress because the sad truth is that that polka dot dress exists in similar forms all over the vintage shops.
It’s not necessarily that I’m looking for designer vintage either but probably an overall important factor are the details of the piece. I don’t exactly know what I’m looking for specifically but something will strike me and it will hopefully not look like it belongs on ‘generic vintage rail A’ – I’m sure seasoned vintage buyers will know what I’m talking about when I say that there are stores which excel at shifting basic stock vintage (not to knock them though…I’m just too old for them!). So apart from the thrift store buys, the non-vintage vintage stuff, I bought only this one waistcoat from Molte Cose (delightful!) in Nob Hill, that has been encrusted with these white white stones and are actually quite painful when you press your fingers on them. I haven’t a clue why I ended up with two waistcoats from SF, especially when I own maybe one or two in my wardrobe and also, I still get Sienna Miller/Kate Moss-boho shudders when I think of waistcoats. Nonetheless I intend to wear it more as a long tunic over a skirt anyway. Anyway…blah blah blah… point is… I’m now officially an oldie who can no longer do random splurges…
Vintage tweed blazer, vintage embroidered encrusted, Gap navy t-shirt, Topshop navy satin skirt, John Lewis grey tights, Polaroid case bag, Office shoes
I definitely have found that once you have established a solid and fairly extensive wardrobe, you become more picky about what you want to add to it. I’m way past the point of buying just to buy.
It’s a wonderful find, great condition. I saw a beaded cardigan in NY but some of the beads were coming loose so I passed. I’m feeling the same about the selectiveness but it’s because I’ve ONLY just realised that I’m too old to be living in this mess caused by my possessions. I planned on doing a heartless cull this weekend but had a gas disaster in the apartment so maybe next week…
this is what i’ve been doing recently after moving to london, you have to be selective as i lived in beijing before i came here and now i see everything in beijing is dirt cheap compared to london, but hmm i guess you are a very “seasoned” vintage shopper so you’d know to be selective anyways. like your new waistcoat, loved how you paired two different textures together – creates more eh… feel. 🙂
I’ve always been a super picky shopper, but when it comes to vintage I can either be pickier or not care. Now, I only buy it if I truly love it and can see myself wearing it rather than being a show piece in my closet. That didn’t work out the last time though, the consignment shop I work at had an amazing fringe jacket that I had my eye on for weeks. I finally went to buy it when I went to work and found that it had been put on the $5 rack and was bought that very morning. So sad, so sad.
Love love love the outfit – but you haven’t put labeling on it to tell us where you bought/acquired the things from!
x
A great find! I can’t do random splurges. I never have been able to do them really, which probably explains why I do not have an expansive wardrobe.
I really love the combination of the textures of the jacket and the waistcoat. And, though I have a much smaller wardrobe than you (who doesn’t! :-)) I totally agree with you. Any given piece has to be entirely standout at this point for me to spend my money on it. I’d much rather spend more on something that blows my mind than something that looks quite nice but is on some level derivative.
you look gorgeous as chanel-esque
I’m with you and WendyB on becoming selective on what to add to your wardrobe, as it is already quite full of carefully selected pieces…Somehow I still manage to find more to add, but not usually when perusing shops…That vest however, is GORGEOUS! I love it!
I couldn’t have said it better than Wendy B.
i think your taste level is just in a flux of elevating up a notch. i, too, used to have a compulsive thrifting/buying habit, and would buy anything that caught my eye. no second thoughts. then eventually, i’d notice the shoddy construction, the bad fabric, or it would sit in my closet forever.
gone are the days when a night on the town meant my cute, but crappily made, vintage shoes would suddenly fall apart on me. my buying criteria is much higher now, that i’ve told myself i must be in love with the thing before i purchase. i think you’re reaching that pinnacle too, and that is definitely not a bad thing. quality over quantity…
love everything about this look.
I fell in love with that jacket!
Wow, that’s an amazing find and fabulous jacket!
Molte Cose/Bella Cose is located at Russian Hill, not Nob Hill. Aside from that, lovely find and you wear it so well.
I’ve become very selective also, I can’t even get around to wearing everything I have, so it has to be very special, or a replacement of a basic.
i like this outfit a lot. and that vest is beautiful!
I like the idea of quality over quantity. I really want to love everything in my wardrobe, and that requires me to be picky. I make mistakes for sure, especially when I get the “wants” or think I need something, or am in a “shopping mecca”, and feel like I must buy something, but for the most part I am really judicious, and always have been (mostly cause of funds).
I love vintage waistcoats. and the one you chose is lovely.
I’m on the search for the perfect cape.
this is a rather timely post.
ive been trying to reduce my spending (after doing my taxes and finding out how much money i wasted this year) and only buy pieces that i truly love as i have so much nat littering my wardrobe. havent been too sucessful yet as the pieces that i truly love LOVE are wither way outta my price range / not in my size 🙁
oh, my old neighborhood. i used to go there quite a bit…mostly for the lingerie, which is probably why i never mentioned them… i did get a pair of 60’s stilletos there for $25. and i wear those all the time.
all the sudden i got really homesick.
🙁
ah it’s lovely. and pretty much functions as a dress. love the mix of colours in that outfit.
i’m pretty fussy with vintage stuff too. although thunderbolt leggings sound like something i’d definitely go for.
Oh please.. lol getting old? already? I hear you though. Being selective may mean that you know better about things to get. Becoming wiser and less experimental. That’s not necessarily a bad thing might I add. You are still the funkiest chick I know.
I’ve felt the same way for awhile now, and it’s wonderful how the feeling allows you to hold onto more of your money, and how you only wind up with truly treasured pieces.
This vest/waistcoat is one of those. I’m sure a lot of work went into that piece, and I’m sure you’ll find a dozen brilliant ways to wear it.
this outfit it adorable!!! 🙂
I love this picture of you! You look happy and adorable…how do you keep looking younger and younger??
i love shopping in the bay area and usually end up getting tons of sneakers (not really sure why it’s such a good town for them…) Great find…
I hope I come like this really soon, I don’t have space for random second hand/vintage finds, since I find it really hard to chuck the old ones out…because I MIGHT use them someday….and that day has been in waiting for 4 years… 🙁
Can’t wait till my wardrobe is settled and can do this – can’t yet as I had a dry spell a bit back!