L.A.'s Sartorial Treasure Hunters
If you ever find yourself near the city of angels during the second Sunday of the month, skip Melrose Ave and check out the one L.A. landmark untouched by the soft shoe songsters of Lala Land-- The Rose Bowl Flea. This place is thrift pick heaven! I spent two teenage birthdays getting sunburnt on the hunt for vintage threads surrounding the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. You'll want to come prepared if you plan to snag some goods. For some top notch shopping gear go full granny and snag a foldable cart, a sunhat, sunscreen, water, cash (some vendors take cards, but you'll barter better with cash), and walking shoes (this place is a labyrinth I tell ya! A beautiful Bowie like Labyrinth-- literally. You will find tons of vintage Bowie memorabilia while wandering the maze of aisles). We saw loads of heirloom jewels, my moms old prom dress, mid-century furniture, Persian rugs, and the mother load of vintage denim. We're talking stacks on stacks of Levi's!
Naturally, many Angeleno sartorial treasure hunters braved the crowds and sipped some early A.M. coffee to dig for antique accoutrements. And they brought their A-game outfits to play. Check out the laid back local ensembles we spotted at the Rose Bowl Flea.
This no frills flight suit + classic kicks + vintage army liner coat is giving us major Top Gun tomboy vibes. Channeling your inner Maverick with some easy on pilot coveralls or go full Canadian tuxedo (button up + jeans) to stand out in the crowd.
Heads up ladies! Bold hued stripes of the vertical variety are super figure flattering. Who doesn't love a slimming set of lines? To survive the hours of antiquating (read: packing muling your vintage scores in the cruel, hot sun), rock a vibrant spot me in any crowd dress, block heels (cause if you gotta wear a heel, keep it practical-ish), and a small purse or pouch (I'm talking just the bare necessities here—keys, wallet, phone. Boom, boom, boom. And maybe some sunscreen and chapstick cause you know you'll want them.)
While keeping it classic in wide leg jeans and a white T—each accessory adds flare and purpose. Pin this under outfits that focus on the accents. Cowhide clogs for comfort with a punch of pizzaz + a wide brim hat and statement specs for some sartorial sunscreen + silk neck scarf for polish. This lady means business!
We are living for this major monochromatic moment! Take note ladies. This is how it's done. Rock a cream top and cream bottoms with loose cropped fits to mimic this effortless, modern ensemble.
This gal is in a league of her own! Throwing it back to classic Americana classics with some high waisted cropped loose leg denim, a crisp gingham plaid button-up, ankle accenting loafers, and a wool 5-panel cap—she's ready to play some serious bartering hardball for vintage gems with decades past patinas.
Can you say #couplegoals? Their sartorial sensibilities are so N*SYNC Justin Timberlake would be jealous. Channel her Parisian meets West Coast vibe with slim jeans, vibrant sandals, blue breton stripes, round sunnies, and a basket bag.
