Navigating Vintage Fairs

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Lovers, we know I love Vintage clothes (and my growing collection is one of the things I am most proud of!)! So if there’s a chance to shop a ton of Vintage Shops at one time–I’m in. Here’s the but–it can be completely overwhelming, and if nothing else a long day.

PickWick and A Current Affair are the biggest vintage fairsI know of–but I know that there are others (and would love to hear about them!);every fair is different, every vendor is different so I don’t think that there are hard and fast rules as how to best navigate one.  I recently was able to attend the PickWick Show in LA, it was my first and I loved it! But there are things that I wish I had known before I went–see below for some of my tips to navigating vintage fairs!

  • Plan your time accordingly. There are tons of vendors and booths at these fairs–so it’s not reasonable to get in and out super quickly. Part of the fun is taking your time looking around and seeing what everyone has to offer! My advise: take a friend and make a day of it!
  • Try to see as many booths as possible. This is part of the “make a day of it” advice. Now doing a lap before you buy anything may be completely unrealistic-but may be worth a shot (just to see what’s there before you dig in). And if there are vendors you want to make sure you stop at I’d recommend going to them first–but the experience is about seeing various vendors–so take advantage!
  • Take a Friend–see above, firstly you can make a day of it. Also, I don’t know about you but being around beautiful clothes makes me want them all. Take someone who can be honest about what looks good on you, what you should pass on, and what you must have. Then, be that kind of friend to them!
  • Have some things in mind. I think part of the fun of vintage shopping is that you never know what you’ll find–that leaves the potential for treasures to be found! However, keeping in mind some key pieces you’re looking for (be it a Chanel Jacket or a kimono) will help you navigate the fair. Also, keeping in mind what your wardrobe needs (like a trench coat) or what it doesn’t (maybe the last thing you need is another black dress) helps in the “What do I buy?” dilemma.
  • Have a budget. Stick to it. This coming from the girl who doesn’t say no to good Vintage–but honestly, if you don’t you can end up spending way more than you planned. And there’s always more shopping to do down the road!
  • Be open! Again, there is no promise of what will be available–so get your hands dirty and shop. Try different vendors, be open to different things, and really have fun!

I hope these help! I was able to score some amazing pieces (including a Versace Skirt and couture Valentino–watch for them coming up on the blog!) so I wish you happy shopping! And would love to hear about your experiences with Vintage Fairs!

Happy Vintage! XO RA

Check below for the next LA events–NYC events can be found on the organizers websites and Instagrams!
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#BeachDay

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There’s a part of me that’s so sad about the fact that the lack of winter weather means that we’re all missing out on my amazing winter clothes. But y’all. How can you be mad at weather so great that you can go to the beach? Especially when you can go in the most amazing vintage polka dot suit? Secret? I got this outfit on Etsy for $20. I love the pleats, the dots, the jacket–and that I can mix and match (I’ve worn the top with jeans and paired the skirt with a sweater and booties). I cannot tell you how badly you need to shop for vintage there–and when it’s modern feeling and has polka dots? Buy it! Wear it to the beach! Make it liven up your Monday!

Hope your week is off to a great start! XO RA

Details:
Suit: Etsy You can search “vintage suits, cream suits, or polka dots” and find something similar!
Shoes: old, similar here

Sunday Chronicles: Super Bowl

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Happy Super Bowl Sunday! I know- if you’re not into football this may not be an exciting day for you. However, between parties, halftime, and commercials- it is a day when football fan and non-fan alike can come together to eat nachos and enjoy “America’s Game”. What are you doing? I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of big parties- I really like to pay attention to the game. I’m having a small group of friends and family over, and we plan on experimenting with nachos and other snacks!

I do have to admit – this day makes me a little sad, it’s the end of the Football season (yes, I’m that much of a fan). The upside? It means we’re closer to summer! I will still mourn a little next week with no football to watch- and marvel at all my extra time. As for today? I plan on enjoying what I hope is a great game and eating my fill!

Wishing us all a week of exciting water cooler conversation and amazing shoes!

Xo RA

#winterwhite

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In the South there is a great debate about when to wear white. And yes, it mainly involves white pants and shoes–but can you look at this outfit and tell me this white is not made for winter? I love the crispness the white vest brings–and this vintage fur is to die for! Paired with classic black–it’s the perfect combo for errands, drinks, dinner. As for when you can wear white? Loves, wear what makes you happy!

Wishing you an amazing Friday! XO RA

Details:
Jeans: < ahref="http://www.lanecrawford.com/product/j-brand/-natasha-sky-high-high-waist-skinny-jeans/_/AQE644/product.lc?gclid=CK-ihZjgw8oCFZGMaQodHDAJ4w"target="_Blank">JBrand
Top: Shopbop
Vest: Zara, old, similar and on sale here
Shoes: Elizabeth and James, old, similar here

Old Shirt, New Ways

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On every list of “basics to own” (or whatever they call it) a white button down comes at the top. There’s a reason: it goes with everything, it’s classic, and it can elevate any outfit. However, there comes a time when just wearing a classic button down isn’t what you want to do. The solution? Spice it up. Take your old shirt and wear it in a new way. It brings a freshness to whatever you’re wearing, and involves no shopping at all.

Try it Backwards
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Super simple–just put your shirt on backwards–I love to leave it unbuttoned and tied at the waist, but button and tucked in also works. The result? Very fashion forward and yet not too wild. Great with jeans and skirts!

Wrap It
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This does take a bit of work–I safety pined both buttons and holes down, then pinned the shirt where I wanted it to meet.
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The result? What feels like a whole new shirt and it’s just a tad bit elevated. Again–amazing with jeans and skirts.

So how do you wear your white button down? Any tips?

Happy Thursday! XO RA

Details:
Button Down: Target
Jeans: DL1961
Shoes: Chanel, old

#newfavorite

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I know, I know–I say something is my new favorite all the time, but this dress. Y’all this dress. I’m in love. It makes me feel like a princess, it reminds me of the ocean, it’s simple and complicated–and it’s made of denim. (yes, those rows of ombre all denim with a sheer neck). It’s perfect. A friend asked where I was planning on wearing it–a more appropriate question is where won’t I wear it? Ask me to dinner and hang out–there’s a really great chance I will wear this and feel like a million bucks.

Hope your Wednesday is magical! XO RA

Details:
Dress: Coming soon to Moda Operandi link here
Shoes: Steve Madden

Trend to Try: Mid Heels

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Mid heels, kitten heels, grandma heels–no matter what you call them, there’s a new shoe in town–and friends, they are worth a try. Mid-heels (really kitten) are back in vogue and this new crop are just as sexy as your heels. I’m loving mine with jeans, pants, skirts–really their limits are boundless.
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What makes them great is their comfort for all day wear or walking –but my favorites have just enough sex appeal (be it toe cleavage, color, or design) that I don’t feel as if I’m giving up anything.
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So are you wearing them? With what? How do you love them?

Happy Tuesday! XO RA

Pictured:
Vintage Bottega Venetta and Prada shoes
Grey: Topshop
Black: Valentino

Striped

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I’m a fan of anything that can span seasons–and this sweet sweater dress fits the bill. I love the classic stripes, the material is just thin enough for spring, yet has some heft, and the sheer sleeves and hem make it flirty. A win all around–even if I do say so myself!

Happy February Loves! XO RA

Details:
Dress: Ann Taylor
Bag: Vintage
Shoes: Schultz, old, similar here

Sunday Chronicles: Going After What You Want

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Recently I had coffee with a friend, and as we were sitting there talking about our goals and wants he simply turned to me and (basically) asked, “why aren’t you going after what you want? Why don’t you just do it?”. A simple question, and yet I was taken back. Loves, I like to think that I’m fairly honest-I have no firm answers and am making this all up as I go along, much like you I think to think. But my friend has a point–why don’t we go after what we want?

There are a ton of reasons why we don’t always pursue our goals–time, money, skill. Sometimes what we really want would hurt people we care about, and we are afraid to do that. Sometimes we don’t really want what we think we do–and procrastination saves us. And then there are times when we truly go after what we want–and we fail. None of these situations are easy. And there’s no magic phrase or inspirational quote to make us begin to move forward or make us succeed. However, I think we all have things that we want–even if they aren’t big, grand things (the fact that not every goal or desire needs to be big and grand is a topic unto itself) and many of those things are within our grasp. So what stops us? Why aren’t we running towards our dreams as if everything were on fire?

I don’t have answers. But I can tell you what I’m doing. Since that conversation I’m sitting down with myself. I’m having hard and honest talks with me about what I really want and what I’m really willing to do for those goals. And I’m running, not always as fast as I’d like, but running like it matters in that direction. And those dreams that I find I can’t bring myself to run to? I’m doing my best to let them go. Another person I adore loves to remind me that nothing is promised–not tomorrow, not the rest of today. So it matters what we do. And if matters what we do, we owe to ourselves to go after what we want, what makes us happy–from snacks to dreams to people (especially ourselves). Maybe it is in the asking–in the demanding of ourselves that we go after what we want, that we can figure out what we really want and need. Here’s to hoping!

 

Wishing us all a week of dream chasing and amazing shoes! XO RA