WARNING: This blog may cause serious bargain-hunter envy. As many of you know I am a die-hard proponent of vintage and second-hand gear. It helps the environment by reducing land fill. It can also be great for your bank account, because as you’ll learn below, second-hand or vintage designer is farrrrr cheaper than brand NEW!
So here are my favourite wardrobe items bought from op shops, consignment stores, markets and more but they are all pre-loved.
1) Nude Maxi dress by Paper Scissors Frock
You would have see me wear this dress in nude many times on Instagram and on shoot here with one of Singapore’s best photographers. The truth is, the dress was from Good Sammy on Albany Highway for just $10. Shamefully, I still have the price in black artline pen on the inside tag! Even though the original price was only $69.95, the way this dress falls and drapes makes me feel elegant yet the low cowl reveals my décolleté and makes me feel sexy at the same time. I also love anything in nude because it reminds me of JLo back in the noughties. HOT.
2) Basket Bag
This was bought in Toronto while trawling through the amazing thrift and vintage shops the city had to offer. Canada has without a doubt the coolest vintage stores I’ve ever shopped in and the people of the city love to wear the funky styles loud and proud (unlike Perth where people are generally really conservative). I love this basket bag and wear it with breton stripes and nautical espadrilles a lot!
3) Vintage Levis
These are from the Gossamer Project in Fremantle in Perth. They are the perfect lazy 90s fit (high waisted, cut short above the ankle and cuffed). They make me feel like Winona! They will be worn everywhere, even though boys hate them!
4) Fendi Black and White Leather Stacked Spiked Heels
These shoes were only one season old and I scored them at the Melville Markets for $40. They were originally $750. Enough said. Plus they are Italian-made, so super comfortable and the monochrome means they go with loads of things in my wardrobe.
Images: Shoesini.com
5) Vintage Chanel 2.55
This was a gift from my dearest Uncle in Singapore and was bought from Dustbunny Vintage. They have an array of second-hand designer handbags that are in great condition!
6) Carla Zampatti Light Weight Trench Coat
This was also from the Melville Markets and was a steal at $30 with the original price being $699. I love how classic it is and that it goes with lots of things and fits me really well.
7) Real Fur Snow Leopard Wrap
This pieces is from the 50s and I am not a supporter of real fur BUT as this piece was before the time when real fur became prohibited, in a weird way, I feel I am giving the poor animal’s death another decade of purpose. I got this piece from a vintage store in Donny Brook in regional WA (of all places!) It’s great for red carpet occasions over a cocktail dress.
8) Turkish Choker
Turkish-style jewellery is enjoying a renaissance teamed with simple clothes like white t-shirts and drop-crotch pants. This necklace was sitting innocently in the special items case at a Good Sammy op shop on Marmion Street (Perth) next to my mother’s nursing home. I spied it and left it, then went back for it. It was $10. I love it with a few DIY chains. You can also see the full tutorial here.
9) Vintage Ivory Lace/Crochet 1950s Headpiece
This piece was also from Toronto and I wore it to a few events in Dubai and I just don’t have the heart to get rid of it. I love it and I suppose I have some misguided fantasy of one day wearing it #AudreyHepburn style to my own wedding. Remember when Audrey turned up to the train station with cropped hair and a fascinator in Sabrina?
10) Vintage “H” Monogram Belt
I love this belt because it belonged to my father. While recently cleaning up my mother’s house I found this leather lovely discarded at the back of the garage. What a shame! “H” is for Heng. Actually, “Heng Khoon Meng” to be precise, which is Dad’s Chinese name (my Dad died back in 2004). We still can’t find his rolex but once I get a new belt hole put in, I’ll be wearing this 80s baby with pride.
Let me know which Vintage stores you LOVE around the world!
Simone
xoxox
