I live in a New York City apartment so, unfortunately, I can’t adopt every little embroidered hankie, laugh-lined shoe, or patterned shift dress I think has a story. My wallet is always flexible but my closet is not. So I look for unique pieces. I make careful decisions. I’ll spend more on good quality investment pieces that I know will either function as a staple in my wardrobe or as an eye-catching accessory to my existing basics. I try to limit the “maybe” items. I always set a rough limit of what I’m willing to spend, and it varies according to the gaps in my closet. I spent $75 on the vintage tan Frye boots that I knew would take my every dress and skirt from summer through fall. I would have spent $80. I spent $35 on a vintage navy purse that accessorizes my every night out—I would have spent twice as much for such a classic piece. I’ve walked away from $100 blouses that are only worth $40 in my wardrobe, and I’m ready to spend $500 on the perfect little black dress that I know will one day call to me.
Many of my most treasured vintage finds cost me less than $50. I never buy an item just because it’s a designer. Whether I’m shopping vintage or new, I buy what I love, not what I think might be valuable. I have to love it and it has to love me back.
I have a priceless tweed winter coat in oranges, browns, and creams that cost me less than $25. It fits like a glove, has three-quarter length sleeves that I adore, and a big collar that a coworker once commented looks like a “fake dead sheep.” I’ve worn it winter after winter after winter, and much as I’d love to mix up my winter wardrobe, I can’t find a replacement that makes me feel as this fake dead sheep, my fake dead sheep, does—warm, comfortable, stylish, and individual.
In searching for vintage dresses or unique patterns, I’ve recently taken to trolling eBay. I’ve found some reliable vintage stores, but my few experiences have reinforced what I’ve always known to be true: there’s a very fine line between vintage and costume. With the right styling and photography, any vintage item can be made to look like a find. I recently purchased a vintage belted cream lace dress that I was very excited about.
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