Once again, forgive me for the lack of Paris fashion talk as I have chosen to steer clear, given the presence of my other half and also my severe lack of outfit chic (I heard actual tut-ing behind me about my outfit when standing outside the Hotel Westin at the Junko Shimada show…that can’t be good right?).
So instead, we have some Saturday rummaging at a flea market. Clignancourt would have been the obvious choice but honestly the enormity of the place and my intolerance for tourist crowds put me right off so I went to the quieter less-frequented Puces de Vanves which is actually more like a flea market with all sorts of random junk laid on the pavement and where hardcore rummaging can be done. I had to sadly ignore all home objects and furniture as I stupidly stuffed my suitcase silly coming over leaving room for barely anything.
My object though was to gather some interesting DIY materials for those nights when I only have a sewing machine, my nimble (or not as the case may be….) fingers and a pile of clothes that need revamping, to keep me entertained. It was certainly easier to weed out things for some DIY-ing than in London, with prices more favourable than the extortionate pound. Piles and piles of vintage lace in colours I’d never seen before. Boxes of tassels, buttons, poppers, trimmings and ribbons to go through with a fine toothed comb. You do have to compete with many an elderly French lady to get to the good stuff, but I picked up some bargaining tips from them so I didn’t mind the elbow grease.
It turned into a decidedly blue affair…
A good amount of dusky dark blue lace that will make it’s way onto the hem and collar of a short dress // Two feathers with a beautiful gradiated blue colour that will feature heavily on a grey skirt for subtle plummage that will let the shape of the feathers shine through (not keen on the full on feathered skirt…)
Some blue mesh that I eagle-eyed spotted at a vintage hat stall lying in a corner. It’s the kind of mesh that shapes really easily with a pinch and a tuck there, reminding me of the bows and headpieces at Rosanda Illincic AW07-8 and the bodywork of Emilio de la Morena AW07-8. Something along the lines of those designers needs to come out of this stuff…
The clothing selection was not exactly on Portobello market-proportions but at the prices and again, with a sharp eye, some gems can be uncovered. There’s tables of clothing where it’s all 5 euros or less. There are stalls specialising in designer vintage which aren’t overpriced compared to the inner city Parisian vintage stores. Then there are just teensy spots where the seller has a few pieces to sell. Like a guy with a Sonia Rykiel black dress and a Chanel high-waisted denim pencil skirt and that seemed to be all he had. There were also some dodgy whiffs of ‘stolen goods’ where you see Lanvin or Paul Smith mens blazers that looked suspiciously like they were taken from a high class restaurant cloakroom or something.
I preferred the random bits of clothing, accessories at the antique stalls that also sold things ranging from old lithograph prints and old books to cigarette cases and cake stands as the prices seemed to be more bargainous. This hat is a cross between a fedora, bowler and cloche which will be a good all rounder. At a clothing stall where 70’s, YSL shoes were jostling with recent Chloe jumpers, on the table was the label-less stuff that I found more interesting. Like this black matt sequin skirt that also came with arm warmers. The warmers need to be worn with short leather gloves for a full on sparkly gauntlet effect and the skirt? Well, my love for black sequins seems to show no sign of ending so I’ll probably over-wear it hideously.
Good choice!
I used to live near Clignancourt a few years ago, before the word “vintage” appeared in every magazine. But each time I attempt to go back, in a nostalgia pulsion, I find it overpriced and horribly crowded.
I can’t wait to see what you are gonna come up with this blue selection. I purchased a dark blue PVC hotpants tracksuit today and couldn’t help thinking you would totally rock it. Best! Anne-Laure
Nice going with the feathers and mesh, Susie. Are the Parisian markets you visited cheaper than Camden and Portobello, by and large?
Feathers and Mesh = Secksi. I love it!
I love the matching skirt and arm warmers idea. It looks great.
Anne-Laure: I can’t wait either…
Drusilla: Definitely cheaper than Portobello and as for Camden? You wouldn’t really find that sort of stuff in Camden….
Those feathers literally made me drop my jaw. I love the gradiated colours.
The hat and the little ensemble you put together with the skirt and the armwarmers are great too!
Susie:
1) Heed NOT the “tut-tuting” of others. What the heck do they know? Strut your stuff proudly girl!”
2) That blue “mesh” (tut-tut) is horsehair braid, a millinery staple — no longer made of horsehair, but rather some type of synthetic, usually a plastic.
hi susie, i have been following your blog entries daily and i love it!
am heading towards Paris coming friday for a 3 day wine festival and it would be lovely if you could mention any button-y/fabric/market places worth visiting! i have laxed on my research as i am busy trying to tie ends up at work but no excuse. your advise would be much appreciated!
jk
Great findings! Love the sequin skirt. =)It’s good to have random flea markets here and there. Too bad there isn’t much over here.
OH! You really know how to put it together! Love how it looks as if a rocker chic blending with a glamour guru. Pat on the back, Susie!
xoxo,
Jian
i really like the hat you bought.. btw i cant wait to see how you will combain that skirt and armwarmers!
i’m sorry, but there’s a lot of sycophany going on here. yes, if you were wearing your bra outside your t-shirt then the tut-tutting was justified.
you have great unique style and a fantastic blog, but that was just too obviously wrong. love the feathers and the lace
love the sequin dress, how much was it?
the lace in that basket would have totally driven me crazy!! 🙂
Artcloth: Tut-tut indeed…. thanks for the info..
jk: Well, Vanves and Clignancourt and maybe Montreil are all good flea markets to try…other than that you got me as I’m not in anyway a Paris expert.
d: Paris outfit post on its way…. the bra on the outside only came out to play at night and actually, they were tut-ting at a mix-match of checks…
Fashion Tidbits: It was supposed to be 40 euros but got it down to 30 euros…not too bad, but not dirt cheap either…
oh can i ask you…since i absolutely love that shade of blue (the mesh and bows)…what is that shade of blue called?
thanks.
delphine
Looks like you got some wonderful stuff! Puts me in the mood for DIYing.
I wanted to ask: how fluent does your French have to be, if you’re to manage bargaining? I mean, I know the numbers, but anything else is tough..
On Oct 7 “d” wrote:
“i’m sorry, but there’s a lot of sycophany going on here.”
“Sycophany??”
Uh — “Sorry” but “sycophany” ain’t a word.
Do you mean sycophancy? (i.e. obsequious flattery)
Brrrrrr — that’s chilly.
Nice report Susie, ta! So my theory is that when you see lots and lots of nice stuff together you kind of get blinded by it all so come away with nothing. Whereas if you see a stall full of random items plus ONE nice fashion thing that stands out, it kinda makes you want to buy it. I guess that’s also why I never buy anything from Dover St Market, too much choice!
LOVE that hat, did you buy it?
ahh how i wish i could spend a saturday afternoon at some chic flea market. lovely finds.
i like your sequins Mets outfit too.
def not dirt cheap -_- but as you said, i’m sure you will wear it to death~ lol, like i do with my jeans…
you ate AWESOME for wearing a Mets tee.
GO METS!!!!