Why Not Shop My Highly Specific Vintage Search Terms?

Shopping links included, you're welcome.

Collecting vintage is my competitive sport, it’s my leisure activity, my meditative scroll. It’s what I’ve done as long as I’ve been able to purchase things on the Internet (my eBay account celebrated 20 years this year, so wow). Sometimes I like to read my 100% positive ratings on eBay when I need a little boost because I am nothing if not a good purchaser. While I’m certainly down with a Paris flea market pick-up, I’m very much in it for the chase. I love a deal, a steal, and an accepted low ball offer (OK, maybe I’m not always the nicest purchaser). But I only buy what I love. I find I’m least likely to get rid of my vintage finds in my closet during clean-outs.

I check FB marketplace and eBay almost daily, though I rarely hit buy. I just like to know what’s out there. But I do have a system when it comes to the hunt, so here are some VGST (very good search terms) and active links to set you on your way during the early spring season. Most are under $200 and if they’re more, it’s because they’re worth it. Perhaps I’ll be back with further options when the weather warms up. Why not?

1. Tassel Necklaces

Tassel necklaces tow that line between boho and more modernist which feels absolutely correct right now. You can take this more feminine with pearls, more 70s with gold, and more Elsa Peretti in black and white.

Tiffany or bust. YSL, YSL and YSL bien sur. Not a necklace but this old The Row tassel bag is epic.

2. Leather Bomber Jackets

Clearly I’ve been into the bomber, mine is brown leather a la YSL.

Here is a men’s large and another oversized.

I’m also super into a bit of a more luxe glossy Alaia ‘80s-’90s bomber as well right now. Both are chic. Some options are below, but overall I just want to reinforce that vintage leather is the best deal going.

Alaia one and Alaia two (the priciest of the list) and three. This Escada Sport and Escada are giving Khaite. A longer Alaia ish one. This is giving Magda Butrym.

3. Miscellaneous Home

I am almost constantly searching and saving estate pieces for my home. I also love an IRL estate sale and antique mall, so not all the action takes place online. I found the above Christofle glass decanters for $30 each on marketplace. Here is something similar, and some other winners below that fall into this same sleek, feminine, statement-y purview (my current terms are silver, art nouveau, art deco, hand blown glass, Swedish art deco, French art deco, and, always, Giacometti.

Try an art deco silver lamp, silver vase, Swedish vase, Art Nouveau bud vase, this to serve something lovely on at a dinner party, this French Art Deco coffee set (so chic), or Giacometti style candelabra.

4. YSL Pencil Skirts

Specific! But the quality is amazing, they’re just the length you’re looking for and they look fab with a pump.

Here’s one , another one, and here’s another one. A pinstripe like mine, under $50. And one more.

But before we leave this skirt section, switching gears slightly, this drop waist taffeta skirt is also lovely for spring.

5. Armani Blazers

Don’t sleep on vintage Armani. The fabric is beautiful, the quality is amazing, the tailoring is spot on, and they’re woefully underpriced for now (often coming in around $60), particularly on The Real Real.

Try this, this, this, this, and this.

6. Romeo Gigli

It’s not a well kept secret that The Row is often inspired by the designer Romeo Gigli. There’s something in the single breasted jackets and suiting that becomes apparent (see this 1990 collection), though it’s a subtle inspiration in practice. I love the blazer I found on eBay. TRR is onto this designer so the prices are high, but it’s worth checking eBay and etsy.

This is a great jacket, another cool jacket that’s a bit more of a statement, and I’m super into these black silk shantung pants.

7. Soft Bowling Bags

I haven’t actually chosen mine yet, so here is one looking fuego on Barbara Walters, but I’ll let you know why this is the silhouette I’m searching. The soft bowling bag (also akin to the doctor bag) of yesteryear is a direct predecessor to The Row Margaux and a contemporary of the Miu Miu Beau bag you’re seeing everywhere. I love that you can sort of smush it up and tuck it under your arm—it just looks wonderfully casual and chic and fits a lot of stuff if you travel heavy. Past babies on the list to search now? Hermes Victoria, Louis Vuitton Coppola bag and the Prada Mirage. All links are here and available at time of publish.

Happy searching, let me know what’s on your list, why not? xxKP