Friday Etsy Finds: A Secret Shop

I came across this etsy shop called "A Secret Shop" today. Some of the inventory is pretty standard vintage fare, but I found a few standout pieces at affordable prices. A few of my favorites are below. Check out the full shop here.

Keith Haring Tote $40

Forties Silk Dress $60

Blue Leather Loafers $28

Ethnic Printed Top $28

Ralph Lauren Loafers $28

You Should Know: Karen Elson

Not sure how I feel about models turned musicians, but this song is pretty catchy and the girl is pretty easy on the eyes. Karen Elson, model turned musician and Jack White's better half, is released a full length album on her husband's label Third Man records which is an imprint on XL recordings. The music isn't particularly life changing, but I dig Karen's homage to female, folk country singers. Check out her music video, directed by, yes, Jack White. If you're in town, Karen comes through LA on June 9th to perform at Spaceland.

Thoughts??

"Originality 

is the 

art of 

concealing 

your sources"

   Benjamin Franklin 

Vicari Says: Backpacks

Backpacks are going to come back in a big way. I've been saying it for months. I think my friends are finally getting the point, as we see designers starting to release their version of the two strapped bag.
My first reasons for sporting one were less glamorous than one would imagine, but my fashion choices usually start from a place of utility than vanity. I had grown tired of the big shoulder bags, and wanted a more comfortable alternative without sacrificing storage or style. My initial inspiration was a world traveler in the 1920s and 30s, who carried sumptuous classic brown leather bags dusty with their  exotic travels. However after some thought, I became determined to get a black bag that could incorporate some of the edgier 90s influences that have been dominating current fashion. After weeks of scouring Ebay, I purchased a simple vintage black backpack, with soft worn leather and gold hardware. I love the simple chic nature of the bag and have yet to see a modern take that beats it. However I'm excited to see how far designers and consumers take the trend.

Backpacks have come a long way from carrying a hunter's prey in ancient times. The term was originally coined in the US during the early 21st century. They were popular for more utilitarian uses by soldiers and outdoors men, but reinterpreted for more fashionable uses in the later part of the 21st century. Everybody carried a backpack in the 90s. Remember Clueless? The black nylon Prada backpacks? Classic leather versions of the backpack are always in style, but I think the trend is starting with a more late eighties/early nineties look inspired by the Southwest,  but will swing into a more glam look from the mid 90s tradition. I just hope we stop before we get to the stuffed bear version. 

Most recently Daisy Lowe has been spotted sporting a couple of different versions. And fashion insiders have been buzzing that the trend is in full swing now that Mary Kate has come out as a fan. Mary Kate and Rachel Bilson have both been spotted wearing vintage backpacks with an ethnic twist. While Dasiy Lowe has gone a more traditional route with a leather Louis Vitton backpack.

Want one now?

Vintage Ebay Finds:

Boho Basket Tooled Leather Backpack 

Chanel Quilted Leather Backpack

Dooney & Burke Creme Leather Backpack

Coach Brown Leather XL Backpack

Brand New Finds:

KimChi Canvas Backpack

Delux ColorBlock Packpack

Rachel Comey Drawstring Backpack

Alexander Wang Sydney Backpack

Pendelton Backpack
Dooney & Burke Nubuck
Dooney & Burke Nylon Backpack

Inspiration: Military

The military inspired trends we saw at 2010's Spring and Fall RTW shows got me thinking...

                                                

Inspiration: Alexander McQueen

Lee Alexander McQueen 

1969-2010

Inspiration: The Who

Inspiration: The Craft

I was watching this movie the other day and I couldn't help, but feel nostalgia for the fashions of the mid 90's. Let's not stop at ankle booties, why not bring back the plaid mini skirts and thigh stockings? I love that Contempo Casuals vintage is coming back. Time to pull out my floral mini dresses..

New Price Reductions on Etsy Items!!

Wrap Me In Satin skirt

Originally $46  Now $34

Oh My Houndstooth dress

Originally $48  Now $38

Check Me Out jacket

Originally $32 Now $18

Vintage can save the world!

All around us are distress signs from the toll our consumerism takes on the world. From the moment that J Crew sweater hits your shopping bag, it has had a more destructive life that you can imagine. The pollution the factory makes...The third world labor that assembles it...The truck that distributes it to stores...The bag you take it home in. It's enough to make some one go mad. So why not save some of that waste while looking fashionable at the same time? Don't think of it as a sacrifice. Buying vintage is a smarter investment, financially and fashionably speaking. As addicting as throw away fashion is, it's always the first thing I get rid of each season, while my vintage stays put. You know your ass looks better in vintage than it will in $20 Forever 21 dress!

Check out Ellen Ruppel Shell's new book, Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture". Buying vintage makes you that much cooler and smarter!!

Here is Q&A with the author on WWD