If you’ve been following along on YouTube, you know I recently did two videos shopping at Crossroads and then styling the finds around what I call my polished maximalist look. And the response was everything because apparently a lot of us are navigating the same thing: we are vintage maximalists with main character energy in our everyday lives, but we also have places to be that require us to take it up a notch.

My daily uniform leans into the joyful, the unexpected, the slightly chaotic in the best possible way. But for work (and especially for work events) I want all of that personality with an added layer of intention. Polished maximalism is the answer because it’s not about toning it down, it’s turning it up with better tailoring.

This isn’t just for the office either. If you prefer your maximalism elevated rather than chaotic, this is your everyday uniform.

The building blocks of polished maximalism:

• Color: Think jewel tones, saturated prints, monochromatic moments and color combinations in something unexpected. I share tips on using color theory to pair pieces for a bold statement!

• Texture: Luxe velvet, brocade, jacquard, anything that catches the light and reads as intentional.

• Print: Bold and designed with intention. The structure of the garment is what keeps it from tipping into costume. I think Etro and Dries Van Noten do this so well - lots of prints and colors that work well in a single garment!

• Tailoring: This is the polish! A shoulder that sits right, a defined waist, a hem that hits exactly where it should. Vintage 80s and 90s construction is the gold standard.

Before I dive into my finds, two things:

First: go watch the videos on YouTube if you haven’t already. I styled full polished maximalist looks from secondhand finds and honestly it might be my favorite content I’ve made this year.

Second: my friend Oana is celebrating her 4th anniversary on Whatnot this week and she has two absolutely iconic costume pieces from The Nanny up for grabs. Yes, actual Nanny costumes. I have been trying to win one of these sets and keep getting outbid which is frankly unacceptable. Go check it out here: Oana’s Whatnot and if you outbid me I will be happy for you and also devastated.

🔒Paid subscribers! My curated polished maximalist finds are waiting below 🔒

Read more

Lately I’ve been getting dressed and thinking: yes, this is very Jawbreaker of me. And I mean that as the highest possible compliment.

If you haven’t seen the 1999 cult classic, first of all — go watch it immediately. Second: the fashion is the whole point. Costume designer Vikki Barrett (who also worked on Clueless and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion with Mona May) created a whirlwind of hyper-feminine colors, cuts and silhouettes that echo the looks of the 1950s more than the fashion of its own era. Which is exactly why it still looks incredible. As director Darren Stein put it: “We really wanted to pull from all time periods: 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s. Everyone’s like, ‘It’s so 90s!’ But it’s not. If it were, the fashion wouldn’t be iconic.” He even banned the color black from the costume department. No notes.

And here’s the best part for us: the costumes were mostly sourced from Los Angeles vintage stores, with some pieces purchased for as little as $1 each. This was partially due to no budget for costumes but to also create the unique look for the film.

The key elements:

Monochromatic color dressing: the film demonstrated costume designer Barrett’s penchant for a monochromatic moment, pairing fitted cardigans with coordinating cigarette pants and hip-hugging pencil skirts. Courtney wears head-to-toe purple and red throughout the film — one color, total commitment, absolute power. This is the easiest way to channel the Jawbreaker energy immediately: pick a candy color and wear it from head to toe. Bubblegum pink. Cherry red. Violet. Baby blue. All of it.

The fitted cardigan: the cardigan is the backbone of every great Jawbreaker look. Not an oversized slouchy cardigan — a fitted, short, color-matched cardigan worn over a pencil skirt or cigarette pant. Vintage ones from the 50s and 60s are exactly right: the proportions, the buttons, the way they sit on the shoulder. This is where you start.

Search: vintage fitted cardigan, vintage 50s cardigan, vintage color block cardigan, vintage twin set

The pencil skirt: rubber pencil skirts were an ubiquitous fashion element of Jawbreaker but you don’t need rubber. A great vintage pencil skirt in a bold color or print — satin, silk, even a structured cotton — delivers the same silhouette with more versatility. High waist, hits below the knee or at the knee, fitted through the hip.

Search: vintage pencil skirt, vintage 50s pencil skirt, vintage satin pencil skirt, vintage fitted skirt

The corset or boned top: a cherry-red boned corset worn over a white scallop-edged bra, paired with a matching pencil skirt and strappy platform sandals in the same hue is one of the film’s most iconic looks. The corset as outerwear — worn over a blouse, layered over a slip dress, or styled as a standalone top — is the move. Vintage ones are extraordinary and priced well below what the modern corset revival is charging.

Search: vintage corset top, vintage boned bustier, vintage corset bustier, vintage 50s corset

Candy colors only: bubblegum colors throughout is the whole point. Cherry red, hot pink, violet, mint, lemon yellow, powder blue. Nothing muted, nothing safe, nothing that could be described as “understated.” If it looks like it belongs in a candy store, you’re on the right track.

The strappy platform sandal: the shoe that grounds every Jawbreaker look. A strappy heeled sandal in a color that matches or deliberately clashes with the rest of the outfit. Vintage ones from the late 90s and early 2000s are everywhere right now and wildly underpriced.

Search: vintage strappy platform sandal, vintage 90s platform sandal, vintage strappy heeled sandal, vintage Y2K sandal

The chiffon neck scarf: pencil skirts and chiffon neck scarves are a recurring detail throughout the film. A vintage silk or chiffon scarf tied loosely at the neck or in the hair is the finishing touch that takes a great outfit into full Jawbreaker territory.

Search: vintage chiffon scarf, vintage silk neck scarf, vintage neck tie scarf

This is personality dressing at its most committed. This is very, very us.

🔒Paid subscribers — over 30 curated vintage finds across every category above are waiting below. Fitted cardigans, pencil skirts, corset tops, platform sandals and more — all in the candy colors that belong in your wardrobe immediately. 🔒

Read more

Let me tell you about the Kenzo jacket that haunts me.

It was chartreuse. Vintage, obviously. The kind of piece that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think “this is exactly what my wardrobe has been missing and I didn’t even know it.” I shared it, I admired it, and then in a moment of inexplicable restraint I didn’t buy it. It sold. And now it lives in my head rent free alongside every other piece of vintage I let get away.

Nothing keeps me up at night quite like the vintage I didn’t buy.

But here’s what that jacket taught me: chartreuse is the color. Not a trend color, not a season color. The runways have finally caught up. Bottega did it. Valentino did it. But vintage? Vintage has been doing chartreuse since the 70s and doing it better.

It’s bold without being aggressive. It’s unexpected without being costumey. And paired correctly it’s one of the most sophisticated colors you can wear. Let me show you how.

How to wear it:

Chartreuse + light blue: This one surprises people and that’s exactly why it works. Very 70s, very now, very “I did not try hard and yet here we are.” A chartreuse knit with light blue vintage denim is the casual outfit of the season.

Chartreuse + red: Not for the timid. Absolutely for the Splendor Collective. This is the maximalist pairing that makes people stop you on the street and ask what you’re doing. A chartreuse skirt with a red blouse. A red bag with a chartreuse dress. Unhinged in all the right ways.

Chartreuse + camel: The sophisticated option that makes chartreuse feel elevated rather than costume-y. A camel structured blazer over a chartreuse silk top. A chartreuse bag with a camel linen set. This is the pairing for when you want to wear a bold color and still look like you have your whole life together.

What to look for:

The 70s and 80s are your best hunting grounds as both decades leaned heavily into yellow-greens and the pieces from this era have that perfect saturated chartreuse that modern versions keep trying to replicate and keep missing. Look for silk blouses, printed knits, structured bags, and enamel jewelry. Kenzo, Escada, and unsigned Italian pieces are particularly good sources.

🔒Paid subscribers — my curated finds across clothing, accessories and bags in every shade of chartreuse you could want are waiting below. 🔒

Read more

Big. Major. News: I’m rebuilding my denim collection from scratch. Not because I fell out of love with my vintage Levi’s (I could never!) but because Lagree has changed my body in the best possible way and my old jeans just don’t fit anymore. My girls are inheriting my entire collection and honestly? They’re thrilled. I’m choosing to see this as the uni…

Read more

Γειά σου! Hello from Greece. We’re traveling for the next couple of weeks, but I have vintage finds today and even more scheduled for next week! I’m definitely going to keep an eye for flea markets, vintage stores, and cool artisanal shops to share with you when I return.

No theme this week. Just me, deep in the rabbit hole, pulling out the best things I…

Read more

Part 1 was about the building blocks — the structured top, the tailored pant, the belt that ties it all together. Part 2 is about the moments. The client dinner. The industry event. The conference cocktail hour where you need to look like yourself but also like you mean business. This is my life right now and I’m not mad about it!

This is where it gets fun.

Because the thing about work events is that they require a very specific kind of dressing: elevated enough to feel intentional, interesting enough to feel like you, and comfortable enough that you’re not thinking about your outfit when you should be thinking about the room. Vintage is the only answer. Modern occasionwear is either too costumey or too boring, and you guessed it, vintage hits that exact middle ground every single time.

Three pieces. All the occasion dressing you’ll ever need.

The Work Event Dress

Not a cocktail dress, not a casual dress. Something in between — a piece with enough personality to be memorable but enough polish to be appropriate. Think a vintage silk sheath in a great color, a printed wrap dress with a strong silhouette, or a sleek 90s column dress that does all the talking. The goal is to look like you didn’t try too hard and absolutely did. St. John knits and 90s Ann Taylor are an obvious choice here but don’t sleep on vintage Escada, Celine, Armani, or even a great 70s printed jersey dress that happens to hit at exactly the right length.

Search: vintage silk sheath dress, vintage work event dress, vintage St John dress, vintage Escada dress, vintage column dress, vintage wrap dress silk, vintage 90s event dress

The Bag That Means Business

Not your weekend bag. Not your vanity bag (though we love her). A structured top handle or sleek shoulder bag in great leather that is both beautiful and functional — something that looks like it belongs in a boardroom but has enough personality to hold its own at a cocktail party. Vintage structured bags from the 80s and 90s are extraordinary for this: the leather is better, the hardware is heavier, and the silhouettes are more interesting than anything modern. A vintage Celine, Gucci doctor bag, or even a great unsigned Italian leather top handle will do exactly what you need it to do.

Search: vintage structured handbag, vintage top handle bag leather, vintage Celine bag, vintage Gucci top handle, vintage Italian leather bag, vintage 90s structured bag, vintage doctor bag women

The Blazer That Goes Everywhere

The blazer is the great equalizer of work event dressing. Thrown over your event dress it adds polish. Belted over trousers it becomes the outfit. Worn open with a great necklace underneath it signals effortless authority. What you want is something with a little personality — a subtle plaid, an interesting button, a slightly oversized shoulder — that elevates without overwhelming. Your 90s Ralph Lauren, your vintage Escada, your Thierry jacket. This is the piece that add polish and structure, without trying one bit.

Search: vintage blazer women, vintage 90s blazer, vintage Ralph Lauren blazer, vintage Escada blazer, vintage oversized blazer, vintage plaid blazer, vintage double breasted blazer

🔒Paid subscribers: event-ready finds across all three categories are waiting below. 🔒

Read more

Let me tell you something about belts that most people don’t realize: a great vintage statement belt isn’t just an accessory. It’s a styling strategy.

White linen dress that needs a waist? Belt. Oversized blazer that’s swallowing you whole? Belt. Sheer blouse tucked into wide-leg trousers that’s almost there but not quite? Belt. It’s the one piece I reach for constantly and the one piece I tell every person to prioritize when they’re building a vintage wardrobe. Start here. Everything else follows.

Summer is actually the perfect moment for a statement belt because the looks are simpler, the fabrics are lighter, and one great belt does the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. I’m wearing mine with everything right now: linen sets, simple dresses, even thrown over a fitted vest for that dressed-down-but-intentional energy we’ve been chasing all season.

What I’m loving right now:

The chain belt — gold, chunky, a little dramatic. The chain belt has a major moment every summer. Look for heavy link, draped chain, or something with a little medallion or charm detail. Wear it low on the hip over a slip dress or cinched over a lightweight blazer for instant summer editorial energy.

Search: vintage gold chain belt, vintage chain belt women, vintage draped chain belt, vintage medallion chain belt

The sculpted buckle belt — the one where the buckle is the whole point. Brass, silver, something ornate or oversized. This is the Streets Ahead, Michael Morrison, Escada belt that is a piece of wearable sculpture that transforms a simple outfit into a look. These are the ones people stop you for.

Search: vintage statement buckle belt, vintage Escada belt, vintage Streets Ahead belt, vintage brass buckle belt, vintage Michael Morrison belt

The shell or sea-themed belt — unexpected, a little whimsical, and completely unforgettable. Think carved shell buckles, puka shell-embellished leather, turquoise and coral inlay, or beach themed charms. The kind of belt that looks like it was found at a tiny shop in Positano. Wear it over a white linen dress and call it a summer.

Search: vintage shell belt, vintage shell buckle belt, vintage nautical belt, vintage puka shell belt, vintage turquoise belt, vintage brass anchor belt

🔒 Paid subscribers — 20+ curated finds are waiting below. This is where the real gems live. 🔒

Read more

Most people see my beaded bag and ask if it’s Staud. I love Staud, but no, this is Christiana. The original.

Christiana Lapetina-Johnson founded Christiana Enterprises in 1994 out of Kansas City, building a brand around hand-beaded bags before Prada, Fendi, or Valentino made beading a thing. But her eye for this work started earlier. Before her namesake brand, she was the designer for Other Destination, an art-to-wear fashion label based in India. That cultural immersion shows up in every piece. She pulled influences from India, South America, Africa, and the American Southwest into her designs, and it reads.

Her bags show up at thrift stores, estate sales, and on eBay regularly and they are still incredibly wearable. The shoulder bag style is the most recognizable (and the priciest on resale). Evening bags in a 1920s-inspired silhouette tend to run under $40. She always intended her pieces to be used, not saved. Trader Joe’s run? Grab the beaded bag.

One sourcing tip: search “Christian” (without the A) because people misspell it constantly and you’ll find deals hiding in plain sight. And if you fall down the Christiana rabbit hole, look into Other Destination too. Equally special.

If you love curated content like this, I think you’ll love the paid edition of The Shopping List. PSA: paid subscribers got this two years ago. Being on the inside pays — literally.

Subscribe now

• Vintage Cristiana Beaded Shoulder Bag 1980’s Colorful Zebra Stripes Boho Tribal, $55

• Leopard Print Beaded Shoulder Bag, $100

• Christiana VTG Boho Southwestern Black Beaded Shoulder Bag Multicolor Western, $90

• Christiana Beaded Shoulder Bag, $125

• Christiana Boho Southwestern Black Beaded Shoulder Bag Multicolor Western VTG, $100

• Christiana Vintage Beaded Shoulder Purse, $40

• Christiana?Beaded Baguette Bag, $136

• VTGChristiana Beaded Handbag Southwestern Style - 10” RARE, $95 (my bag twin)

I’m headed to Greece this summer (Athens, Crete, and Naxos) and my suitcase is already half-planned in my head. And I’ll tell you what’s not in it: anything beige, anything minimal, anything expected. I’m still undecided on whether to stick with my usual carry-on or try a checked bag this time, but that’s a problem for future me.

Now back to this edit. This summer belongs to color. Saturated, joyful, unapologetic color. Printed kaftans. Jewel-toned sandals. A kaftan so good it doubles as a dinner outfit. Vintage and secondhand is the only way to shop for resort dressing because nobody made poolside glamour quite like the 70s and 80s did.

Consider this your packing list for the most fabulous summer you’ve ever had.

The Kaftan

The kaftan is the ultimate resort piece and vintage ones are extraordinary - think silk, cotton voile, bold prints, embroidered edges, colors that don’t exist in modern collections. Wear it over a swimsuit at the pool, belted for dinner, or thrown over linen pants for a long lazy lunch.

Search: vintage kaftan, vintage silk kaftan, vintage embroidered kaftan, vintage printed kaftan, vintage 70s kaftan, vintage resort dress

The Cover-Up

Not a sad 90s Juicy Couture situation. We’re talking a sheer printed robe, a crochet tunic, a lightweight cotton wrap dress in a great print - something that looks intentional poolside and equally good at a seaside taverna. The line between cover-up and actual outfit should be completely blurry.

Search: vintage crochet cover up, vintage sheer beach robe, vintage wrap dress, vintage cotton beach dress, vintage 70s beach cover up, vintage printed robe

The Sandal

A great flat sandal or low-heeled strappy sandal in tan, gold, or a jewel tone is the only shoe you need for a week in the Greek islands. Vintage leather sandals wear in beautifully and look better with every step on a cobblestone street. Bonus points for anything with a little gold hardware or beading.

Search: vintage leather sandals, vintage strappy sandals, vintage flat sandals women, vintage gold sandals, vintage beaded sandals

The Jewelry

Layered, colorful, collected-looking. Shell necklaces (we covered those in No. 123), beaded bracelets, a chunky resin bangle in a great color, turquoise anything. Resort jewelry should look like you found it in a cute little village market because ideally, you did. But eBay is a solid backup.

Search: vintage beaded necklace, vintage resin bangle, vintage turquoise jewelry, vintage shell jewelry, vintage colorful jewelry, vintage resort jewelry

🔒Paid subscribers! Finds are waiting below. 🔒

Read more

Can we talk about the mom short? I mean the good one — the 90s vintage version in soft worn denim, crisp linen, or a great cotton print that hits just above the knee and looks incredible.

I have been styling these on repeat and the versatility is genuinely unmatched. A sleek fitted tank or ribbed vest on top and you have the foundation for three completely different looks depending on what you add. Linen blazer for the office. A gold chain belt for weekend energy. A great bag and a heel and suddenly you’re dressed for dinner in the best possible way.

The vintage market is full of incredible options right now — Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, and other 90s workhorses who understood that a well-cut short in a great fabric was a whole entire outfit waiting to happen.

Three ways to wear them:

For the office: Bermuda length in neutral linen or a menswear stripe, tucked-in fitted vest or silk shell, linen blazer thrown on top, pointed mule or loafer. Done. Polished, interesting, completely not boring.

For vacation: A cotton print or bright monochrome, sleek tank, gold chain belt at the waist, flat sandal or espadrille, a great straw or woven bag. This is the outfit you wear to lunch, straight to the beach, and back to dinner.

For casual hangs: Soft worn denim, fitted white tank, chunky sneaker or flat slide, minimal jewelry. Effortless, classic, the kind of outfit that photographs well without trying.

What to look for: Aim for a mid to high rise — it elongates and gives that 90s silhouette. Flat front or subtle pleats both work beautifully (I’m a sucker for pleats). And for my petite gals — I’m 5’3” and here to tell you, you can absolutely pull these off.

Search terms: vintage bermuda shorts, vintage mom shorts, vintage Ralph Lauren shorts, vintage Liz Claiborne shorts, vintage linen shorts women, vintage 90s shorts, vintage cotton shorts, vintage denim bermuda shorts

Paid subscribers — shopping links are waiting below. 🔒

Read more

In last week’s email I mentioned needing new work outfits — and so many of you wrote back asking for the same thing. Clearly we all have somewhere to be and nothing to wear.

So I’m starting a series. The Work Wardrobe Essentials is a recurring shopping list dedicated to building a work wardrobe that is polished and elevated without being buttoned-up and boring. Vintage and secondhand only, obviously. Because the best version of professional dressing already exists — it’s just waiting for you on eBay.

Part 1: the three pieces doing the most heavy lifting. A structured top with an edge, a tailored pant with actual personality, and a great belt that ties it all together. Let’s build the work fit.

01. The Structured Top

Not a blouse, not a basic. We’re talking a fitted vest, a sharp knit, a sleeveless turtleneck — something with architectural energy that looks intentional under a blazer or completely on its own. The vintage market is full of incredible structured tops from the 80s and 90s made for exactly this: looking serious and interesting at the same time. St. John knits. Structured silk shells. A fitted ribbed vest in a great color. One great top makes a simple trouser look like a whole entire look.

Search: vintage fitted vest women, vintage silk shell top, vintage structured knit top, vintage sleeveless turtleneck, vintage 80s structured top, vintage ribbed vest

02. The Tailored Pant With an Edge

The goal is not the boring trouser. The goal is a wide leg with a clean crease, or front pleats that give dad energy in the best possible way. A menswear plaid in an unexpected color. High-waisted with a slight flare. Vintage tailored pants are almost always cut better than modern versions — heavier fabric, more considered drape, and they actually fit a human body. That’s it. That’s the pitch.

Search: vintage wide leg trousers, vintage tailored pants women, vintage high waist trousers, vintage plaid trousers, vintage wool trousers, vintage 70s wide leg pants

03. The Belt That Does Everything

A great belt is the difference between an outfit and a look — and it’s my personal go-to when I need to pull something together fast. A wide structured belt in croc embossed leather or with an interesting buckle, worn over a blazer or cinched at the waist of a great trouser, transforms everything it touches. Vintage belts are extraordinary and criminally underpriced. You can find something that looks like it cost $400 for under $40. Start here if you want one purchase to immediately upgrade your entire wardrobe.

Search: vintage wide leather belt, vintage croc embossed belt, vintage structured belt, vintage statement belt women, vintage 80s belt, vintage designer belt

Paid subscribers — finds for all three categories are waiting for you below. 🔒

Read more

Some weeks have a theme. This is not one of those weeks.

This weekend I just went shopping — the way I actually shop when I’m not curating for a specific list. I opened eBay, fell down a few rabbit holes, and came back with the best things I’m seeing on resale right now. No agenda, just great finds.

The finds I can’t stop thinking about this week:

The 1967 Courrèges coat on The RealReal stopped me cold. 1967. That’s fashion history you can actually wear.

A psychedelic 70s cotton set! Tunic and flare pants in pink, indigo, and goldenrod, that is so perfectly of its moment. This is the set people will ask you about constantly.

And a russet red silk Bloomingdale’s cami and pants set with a beaded sash belt for $35. Thirty. Five. Dollars!!!

Consider this your permission to buy something fabulous for no reason at all.

Paid subscribers 🔒Shopping Links Below!

Read more

Balloon pants are having a moment and I have been a longtime fan with several pairs to prove it. I am here for every voluminous, slightly dramatic second of it. But I get the question constantly: how do you actually style them without looking like you raided a costume closet? And while I personally love a costumey look, the answer is always in the details. Here are three ways I styled the same white balloon pants three completely different ways — proof that this is the most versatile pant you’ll buy this summer. Bonus points if you find a winter version too. And a note: I’m 5’3”, so petite gals, you can absolutely pull these off.

Look 1: Perfect for Travel, Brunch, and School Pickup

White on white with maximum personality. An off-shoulder top keeps the silhouette fluid and relaxed, then a bold printed scarf tied at the hip does all the heavy lifting — it defines the waist, adds pattern, and pulls the whole look together without trying too hard. When the pant is this dramatic, let your accessories do the talking and keep your top simple. This one works for a summer dinner, a rooftop, or honestly just a very good Tuesday.

The formula: simple top + waist moment + bold accessories

Look 2: Yes, You Can Wear These to the Office

Nobody told balloon pants they couldn’t be polished, and I refuse to accept that they can’t. My 90s Ralph Lauren blazer, belted with a wide croc-embossed belt, completely transforms the energy of the pant. Suddenly we’re not boho at all — we’re editorial. This is the look that makes people ask if you just came from a very chic meeting or a very chic party. The answer is yes. If you love my vintage Celine bag in this outfit, read this.

The formula: structured blazer or top + strong belt + polished accessories

Look 3: For My Color Lovers

This is my personal favorite and I will not apologize. A sheer green ruffled blouse is romantic and effortless against the white balloon pant, and then color takes over: pink beaded drop earrings, a rainbow beaded fringe bag that is basically a work of art, and pink embellished heeled mules. Every single piece is having its own moment and somehow they all agree with each other. This is the look for someone who dresses for themselves first. Wear it to brunch, a gallery opening, or anywhere you want to be remembered.

The formula: romantic blouse + color + the most fabulous bag you own

Shop the pants:

• H&M Cotton Balloon Pants, $45

• The Frankie Shop Jersey Balloon Pants, $245

• Banana Republic Cotton Balloon Pants, $105

• Reformation Cotton Balloon Pants, $198

Rainbow Beaded Bag

Off the Shoulder Knit Top

If you loved this and want more styling ideas, vintage finds, and weekly shopping curation delivered straight to your inbox, The Splendor Collective shopping list goes out every week. Subscribe below and never miss a find.

Here’s a little secret the resale market hasn’t fully caught up on yet: the vintage designer vanity bag, originally made to hold your cosmetics, is one of the chicest and most underpriced ways to own a truly great bag. We’re talking Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci. I shared my cutie vintage Céline vanity case on Instagram a few days ago and almost immediately the requests came in: please do the next shopping list on vanity bags!

These pieces were designed as beauty cases, so they fly under the radar of the typical luxury resale crowd. But in practice, they’re the perfect going-out bag and the perfect “I want to look fabulous but carry almost nothing” bag. While they have been growing in popularity over the years, they’re still affordable compared to their trendier counterparts.

Take the Louis Vuitton Cannes in Epi leather: a structured cylindrical silhouette in that signature textured leather, with a gold-tone zip closure and tonal suede lining. First introduced in 1994, it was designed as a beauty case, but it has always been so much more than that. It comes in the most beautiful colors like red, black, ivory, and fuchsia, and every single one of them is a statement. I have one and I reach for it constantly. I also found it over a decade ago for under $200!

Same energy with vintage Chanel and Céline vanity pieces I own. The distinctive shapes, incredible hardware, and colorways you simply cannot find in modern collections. These bags have personality baked in and they look collected, not purchased.

What to look for:

• Louis Vuitton — The Cannes in Epi leather (that cylindrical shape, any color: red, black, ivory, fuchsia); the Trousse in Monogram or Epi; the Boîte Chapeau mini if you can find one

• Chanel — The classic vanity case with chain detail; the quilted caviar leather cosmetic pouch; anything with that iconic CC hardware. These fly under the radar compared to the flap bags but are just as chic

• Céline — Structured leather vanity pouches in the most beautiful minimal colorways; very quietly iconic

• Gucci — The GG monogram canvas vanity case with leather trim; the Bamboo cosmetic case in GG canvas (the bamboo hardware makes it instantly recognizable); the Ophidia top handle cosmetic case; and the classic red/green web stripe pieces

• Fendi — The Pequin striped canvas cosmetic bag from the 1980s is an absolute sleeper find; the Zucca canvas vanity pouches in brown and black are everywhere on eBay right now and wildly underpriced for what they are

• Dior — Structured leather vanity cases and the Trotter canvas cosmetic pouch; look for the honeycomb pattern pieces from the 90s

• Hermès — If you’re lucky, a Bolide-style vanity or a leather cosmetic pouch. Rarer but they exist and they’re extraordinary

Search terms: vintage Louis Vuitton vanity bag, vintage LV Cannes Epi leather, vintage Chanel vanity case, vintage Céline cosmetic bag, vintage Gucci vanity case, vintage Gucci bamboo cosmetic bag, vintage Fendi Zucca vanity pouch, vintage Fendi Pequin cosmetic bag, vintage Dior vanity case, vintage designer beauty case

A couple of my favorite finds this week:

RARE | FENDI Vintage Striped Box Train Case Crossbody Bag Purse, $695

Authentic CELINE Vintage Star Ball Vanity Handbag Blue Leather Gold Rare, $332

🔒 Paid subscribers get 20+ curated finds this week, plus my honest condition notes and extra search terms I’m actively using. This is where the good stuff lives. 🔒

Read more

If you know, you know. And if you don’t — you’re about to.

Timmy Woods is a Beverly Hills-born handbag designer whose hand-carved wooden creations have been carried on red carpets and immortalized on Sex and the City. I’ve always believed that shoes and accessories should be conversation starters — wearable sculpture, collectibles you actually carry. It’s why “quiet fashion” will never be my thing. Life is too short for a boring bag.

Each Timmy Woods piece is hand-carved from sustainable Acacia wood, painted, detailed, and completely one-of-a-kind. If you’re a Sex and the City devotee, you’ll recognize the iconic Eiffel Tower bag (yes, the one Carrie used to carry Big’s ashes in Paris). That bag deserved better. Beyond that particular trauma, we’re talking figural bags shaped like pineapples, cats, flowers, globes, and even Santa for the holidays — the kind of bag that has absolutely no business being as chic as it is, and yet, here we are.

Don’t hold me to this, but instead of spending any more money on the usual designer vintage bags, I want to collect more of these offbeat brands that give me life!

The iconic pieces to know:

• The Eiffel Tower

• The Feline Clutch

• The Madame Juliette

• The Cupcake

But don’t stop at the icons! Some of the best summer finds are the ones people sleep on. Think crane, hibiscus, palm tree, toucan, even french fries. You will get stopped every two seconds, and you will deserve it. Vintage versions on eBay are still wildly underpriced for what they are. Shop now before everyone catches on.

Paid subscribers 🔒 Shopping Links & Search Terms Below!

Read more

Shell jewelry exists on a spectrum: the $4 thrift store find that somehow looks like a million dollars, and the vintage statement piece that is a million dollars (figuratively, we’re still talking eBay prices). Both have a place in my heart. Both have a place in your wardrobe.

A great vintage shell necklace — think chunky pendant, strung shells mixed with coral or turquoise or bone, something that looks like it was found on a yacht in Capri circa 1974 — is the one piece that can completely change the energy of your summer wardrobe. Throw it over a white tee. Layer it with other necklaces. Wear it with that antique Edwardian dress and nothing else. It does the work so you don’t have to.

And right now? They’re everywhere on eBay, Etsy and Poshmark and no one is paying attention yet. That’s your window.

True confession: I am quite obsessed with anything shell-themed! I collect shell-shaped ceramics and silverpate, so it tracks that the jewelry department would follow. The shell necklace in the photo above I found in Lacoste, Provence (yes, that Lacoste — tiny village, very chic). The silver-tone one? A $3 thrift store find. I also have a fabulous chunky puka shell necklace, a coral necklace I picked up in Sicily last summer, and more shell earrings than I care to admit. It’s a whole thing.

What to look for:

• Oversized single shell pendants on a cord or chain

• Mixed-material strands: shells + turquoise, shells + coral, shells + wood beads

• Chunky multi-strand shell chokers (very 70s, very now)

• Anything that looks like it came from a boutique in Malibu or St. Tropez in 1972

Search terms: vintage shell necklace, vintage shell pendant, vintage shell choker, vintage shell coral necklace, vintage nautical necklace, vintage shell statement necklace, vintage shell turquoise necklace

Paid subscribers! Finds are waiting for you below. This is where the good stuff lives. 🔒

Read more

While thrifting with a friend recently, we talked about vintage denim brands we love. I couldn’t stop talking about my Kenny Rogers jeans. I’ve mentioned and shared some favorites on the Private IG several times, but I think they deserve a special place on the portal and in your inbox! In case if you’re new to vintage denim, I consider the following brands more mainstream and definitely on the radar: Levis, Lee, Jordache, Wrangler and Guess. The ones I’ve listed below are definitely more low key and if you find them while thrifting, jump on it!

Hot Tip: Always check measurements! Every denim brand is different so measure your favorite denim (I recommend 2 pairs) to get accurate measurements. For example, Levi’s run about 2 sizes smaller while the Kenny Rogers jeans I bought were a size 26 (my modern size).

Vintage Kenny Rogers Western Collection

Kenny Rogers Western Collection by Karman jeans are 70s – 80s era denim goodness! The jeans feature a classic high rise and 5 pocket style in mostly straight leg style. I love the “chaps” style ones that I got, but there are classic denim looks with embroidered back pockets. My favorites are: “a little bit of country’” and “lady”.

My finds:

• VINTAGE KENNY ROGERS WESTERN COLLECTION KARMAN JEANS SIZE 15/16 (RUNS SMALL), $20

• Vintage Kenny Rogers Western Jeans 26×35 High Rise Straight Dark Wash Purple, $19

• Vtg Kenny Rogers Jeans Women’s 26×35 No Tag Dark Wash Bareback High-Rise, $20

Bill Blass

If you’re looking for super high waist mom style jeans (think pleating and tapered leg), then Bill Blass denim from the 80s and 90s should be at the top of your list. I do love the detailing on the waist of most of the denim, but many of the jeans don’t have back pockets (which is a must for me).

Fun fact: Nanny Fine (The Nanny) wore many Bill Blass jeans!

My finds:

• Vintage Bill Blass Women’s Denim Blue Jeans Boot Cut Unhemmed See Desc size info, $10

• Vintage retro 80s/90s Bill Blass jeans Light wash High Waisted 100% Cotton size, $32

• Vintage Bill Blass Pleated Denim Jeans Women’s Sz 6 Stretch Waist Highrise 80’s, $27

Gloria Vanderbilt by Murjani

Did you know Gloria Vanderbilt jeans were the First Designer Jeans in the World and the First Jeans exclusively designed to fit a Woman? In the 1970s and ’80s, Gloria Vanderbilt sought out to create jeans that were figure-hugging, upscale, and would “really hug your derrière.” Guess, Calvin Klein and Jordache would copy her styles later on! Her denim is super high waist and features a beautiful straight leg. I want to get them in a dark wash to wear with heels and boots!

My finds:

• WOMENS 80’s VINTAGE GLORIA VANDERBILT MURJANI 26” Waist HIGH Rise 12” JEANS, $20

• Gloria Vanderbilt for Murjani vtg 80s high waist jeans dark blue size 2, $24

• Vintage 80s Gloria Vanderbilt Mom Jeans Women’s Size 10 Blue Denim 26×29, $29

• GLORIA VANDERBILT for Murjani Vintage Late 70s | Black Straight Jeans | 9, $152

Charlie’s Angels Brand

There have only been a few times in my life that I haven’t been able to find information on a particular brand or style and Charle’s Angels branded items are one of them. I’ve done countless hours of research and have asked in many forums and the best information we have is this was likely private label produced for promotion of the TV series. These are super hard to come by and I’ve only seen on eBay once and Etsy, so if you want a pair, definitely set a search alert so you get first dibs.

My finds:

• Vintage Charlies Angels Azoulay Jeans Womens 17 Flare Denim Red Pocket 1970s RAD, $70

• Vtg 1970s Charlie’s Angels Azoulay Straight Fit High Waist Denim Jeans 22×33 Sz4, $50

• Charlie’s Angels By Azoulay Denim Cut Offs Vintage Size 5 1970s 24inch Waist, $12

Somewhere between the jewelry counter at an art fair and the rack at the back of a very good vintage store, a vibe is happening. It’s relaxed but intentional. It’s layered but not fussy. It’s the kind of dressing that looks like you woke up this way, but you absolutely did not, and that’s the fun part. It’s a vibe I love this time of year as we head into summer.

This week I’m chasing that feeling. Sheer blouses. Beaded layers. Crochet. A 90s dress that hits differently in 2026. And a vest (yes, a vest) that might be the sleeper hit of your summer wardrobe. Let’s get into it.

The Sheer Blouse Not the boring kind. The kind with a little something — a ruffle, an embroidered collar, a sleeve that catches the light. Worn tucked into wide-leg trousers or half-tucked over a slip, a great sheer blouse is the easiest way to look like you tried without trying.

The Layered Jewelry Moment Chan Luu built an empire on the idea that more is more, and she was right. Beaded wrap bracelets, layered necklaces, a mix of turquoise and gold and something you found at an estate sale. The look is collected, not coordinated. Search for pieces that look like they have a story.

The 90s Dress Slip length. Floral. Bias cut. Beaded details. Yes to all. The 90s dress has a particular confidence that modern dresses keep trying to replicate and keep missing. You want something that feels a little underdone, like it’s not trying to be a dress, it just is one. Style it with a chunky sandal and a delicate necklace and call it a summer.

The Dressed-Down Vest Here’s the sleeper hit: a relaxed blazer vest a la Liz Claiborne, Jones New York, something from a brand that understood effortless layering before effortless layering had a name. Worn over a sheer blouse or a simple tee, belted or open, it adds structure without the commitment of a jacket.

Paid subscribers! Shopping links, search terms I’m actively running, and a couple of specific sellers who are killing it right now are waiting for you below. This is where the good stuff lives!

Read more

I was recently asked about tap shorts because they’re popping up again as the go-to piece for spring and summer. If you’ve opened Pinterest, Instagram, or an email from Reformation lately, you’ve probably seen them everywhere: silk or satin shorts trimmed with lace, and honestly… they’re very cute. I have a pair that I’ve been wearing for a decade and realized I probably need to add to my collection. Ha!

A lot of you have noticed them too and asked me to source some vintage versions, because they’re such an easy piece for this time of year. I also love how many ways you can style them. One of my go-to looks is pairing them with an oversized button-down and cowboy boots. Another is dressing them up with mules, a knit cardigan, and a little Carrie Bradshaw energy.

That’s the beauty of a piece like this. It can feel casual, playful, or polished depending on how you wear it.

And as always, vintage is where the magic happens.

Authentic vintage tap shorts, especially from the coveted 1920s–1940s “golden era,” were most commonly made of silk or silk-rayon blends, often with beautiful lace details and a softer drape. Styles from the 1950s–1970s are more commonly rayon or nylon satin, but still give you that same feminine, lingerie-inspired look at a more approachable price point.

Below, I’ve sourced some great vintage tap shorts for you to shop — pieces that feel current right now, but far more special than anything fresh off the rack.

Read more

I. Magnin isn’t just a label you’ll spot on a vintage tag. It was once one of the most influential luxury department stores in America, founded in San Francisco in the late 1800s. At its peak, I. Magnin was the place for West Coast society to shop—think European imports, couture-level ready-to-wear, and beautifully made in-house pieces that rivaled desi…

Read more