Etsy and Vintage Clothes

source: Sparv in the Iele Tree

Since moving to a new town, I've been lavishing in thrift store heaven. The stores are so good that I can't even bare to walk into a store that sells new clothes, except if it is Old Navy and the sweater is three dollars, or if I'm shopping for underwear/a bathing suit/socks.

The thrift stores can meet my every clothing and home decor need. And by thrift stores I typically mean Goodwill, because they are da bomb. The further you go out into the country, the more clean, organized they are, and most importantly the better the clothes and the smells are too.

Which brings me to Etsy. Etsy is great for buying "vintage clothes", but it can be difficult to find something because there is just SO much. Its always convenient to have a general idea of something you might want. But lets face it, most of us don't most of the time. If you don't know what your looking for, then its best to find a store that you really like, and then bookmark that store, adding it to your "favorites". If you are searching for something specific, these "trendy" tags might help, even though they are stupid and embarrassing to even type. Just make sure no one is around.

"mod"

"hippie"

"boho"

"rockabilly"

"romantic"

"feminine"

"funky"

"secretary"

(I know its horrible, but you get the idea)

Also, don't forget what article you are looking for:

"dress"

"blouse"

"sweater"

"flats"

and if you want a print or are looking for a color?

"plaid"

"floral"

"stripes"

"blue"

I wouldn't bother searching for a size, because nobody puts them in tags for some dumb reason. If measurements are there, (as they really need to be), the best thing to do is compare the measurements to a similar article that you have that fits you well.

Another helpful tool is to search for seasons: "winter", "summer", "fall", etc. You can also limit by price (on the left) to find sweet dealz!

Here are some favorite Etsy stores and a sampling of their goodz.

Rainbow Jaguar (vintage from New Mexico, I have a soft spot for this area)

Penorus (fabulous and cheap jewelry and other thingz!)

Vintage Clothes (its just brilliant)

Fall=BOOTS!

Tavi Gevinson: Style Icon

This was going to be a Halloween post, but I realized I just can't bring myself to be a blogger for Halloween. So instead: style icon!

Tavi Gevinson is 14 years old and just started high school. She just got a New Yorker profile all her own, and her blog is crazy good and thoughtful.

photo via Tavi herself, sans editing

Here she is pictured with another style icon, Elizabeth Spiridakis (turquoise arrow), aka WHITE LIGHTNING. WL is a great blog that I check often--she has the best eye for accessories and hates pants! But Tavi: look at that hair! And the tights/clogs combo is killing me. So visionary and confident, yet she doesn't seem bratty at all?

Is she an old lady or a tween??!

photo via

This color combo reminds me of a pair of Umbros I once had...

photo via

At first this looks like a tot playing dress-up, but Tavi totally knows what she's doing. Look at this genius plaid mix-em-up! Hair pom-poms! Those boots!

photo via basically a spam site, so no attribution. if you find the original photographer let me know and I'll credit her/him.

Holy cow--if I ever have kids I hope they're this cool. Also, I want to dye my hair pink now. Not too late to be a precocious 26-year-old?

Style Icon: Michelle "Sugar Slam" Rapp

The release of the new GOTJ infomercial reminded me of a style icon for young women who is often overlooked: Sweet Sugar Slam, née Michelle Rapp!

How fly are those pink highlights??

Here are some other key moments in Sugar Slam history:

Ah, the first time we met. I remember being all wtf about her outfit...huge t-shirt over tiny velour skirt and sheer pantyhose?? Fashion daredevil over here, but I have to admit: it's not a bad look. Will remember this fall once I bring out my velour.

And here's Michelle again, gamely playing the part of a chef (?) in the Psychopathic Records "test kitchen." My favorite elements of this pic are the Hatchet Family apron, off-white oven mitt against plain-white apron combo, and Sugar Slam's signature high ponytails.

What are some of your favorite pieces in the Sugar Slam style resumé?

Style Icon: Elaine Benes

I’m a sucker for clothes that remind me of a movie or TV show. It is only natural then that I would gravitate toward clothing that reminds me of Elaine Benes. It all started at Target when I found what is now my favorite dress. Flowing and flowery, I resisted it on that shopping trip. On another trip to Target, I happily found it on a discount rack. Get out!

I once wore it to Buffalo Exchange, which is sometimes the best, sometimes the worst clothing store. I went into the dressing room to try on a few things. As I tried on a denim shirt over the dress, I kind of freaked out. It was like the episode where Elaine realizes she has become George and says, “I’m George! I’m George!” My reaction was something like that, except I whispered, “I’m Elaine Benes! I’m Elaine Benes!” at the mirror. So I purchased the denim shirt, which I have never once worn, and a leather backpack.

Ah, the leather backpack. Hold the loafers. Hold the workout clothes. Hold the urban sombrero. Of all of Elaine’s fashion items, this might be my favorite. My roommate once said, “Every time I see the backpack, I think of Elaine.” I was flattered, and just to be sure, I responded with “Elaine Benes?” Rich leather exterior and polyester lining. Two straps to clutch to your chest or hang from your back. Endless zipper compartments for an endless number of items. The perfect accessory for running alongside a train, waving last goodbyes, and posing on a veranda. You’re the queen of the castle. You’re bizarro Elaine.

What to Wear...to the beach

Memorial Day weekend is almost here! Here's a guide to clothes for the weekend or your yacht or when you want to pretend to be Diane Keaton.

Style Icon: Claudia Kishi

Claudia Kishi has been a major inspiration for most of my life now. As Vice President of the Baby-Sitter's Club, Claudia had some heft in the direction of the series and justified Ann Martin's meticulous attention to fashion details in an otherwise plot-driven series. When I was a kid, reading literally every book in the series (+ spinoffs), Claudia set the example for me and accessories--wacky earrings especially--and made me feel not-so-bad about the fact that my mom dressed me in bartered clothes from a kids' store called Raspberries. Claudia broke all the rules, which seemed insane if you went to Daniels Middle School (where every cool kid wore matching sweaters from J. Crew and one specific pair of Gap shorts) but once I got to DMS, remembering Kishi style made it that much more appealing. This has stayed with me pretty much since then.

Luckily, there is already an entire blog devoted to Claudia/BSC style, with lots of passages from the books:

Claudia's style is unique. She doesn't often wear jeans, but she was wearing them today - only she'd cut patterns in the legs of the jeans (which were major faded) and was wearing leopard tights underneath so that they showed through. She was wearing her Doc Martens with yellow shoelaces, and she'd used matching shoelaces to pull her hair back into a thick, long braid. Her earrings were a pair she made herself, out of little yellow feathers and black beads. And she was wearing a black and yellow striped flannel shirt buttoned up to her throat, with another pair of shoelaces made into a sort of bow tie.

Unless I'm crazy, that is a totally awesome outfit for a thirteen-year-old girl to be wearing!