Everything I did not buy at Manhattan Vintage

A stroll through 100+ vendors

This past weekend was the Manhattan Vintage Show. This is my Super Bowl. All of the best vintage, all in one place. What more could I ask for? In the past, I have spent wayyy too much money at the show. I get sucked in by beautiful textiles, the excited squeals around me, and the obvious love that the vendors have for their wares. Last time I bought a 1930s sheer lace gown, and I have worn it exactly once. To my grandmother’s 80th birthday party. (It was a tea party, I didn’t just show up at her house in full garb. I also wore a slip so as not to give anyone a heart attack.)

The dress in question

As much as I would have loved to buy another completely impractical piece of clothing, I’ve also been working to build a wardrobe that makes sense for the life I live. I work in midtown Manhattan, and spend most of my days behind a desk sending emails to factories, sketching, putting together tech packs, and organizing so much fabric. Ergo, such dresses as this do not scream “practical”. So, I stood in line for an hour with the goal of buying nothing. I’m learning how to tell myself no. I currently have an ongoing “wants” list in my notes app, and unless I was able to find the exact pieces I wanted, for prices I was willing to pay, I was allowed to look, touch, and appreciate, but not buy. And, let me tell you dear reader, I succeeded. I was inspired, touched and tried on incredible pieces, and walked out proud of myself for sticking to the plan. I resisted temptation.

The outfit I wore to look at vintage, in case anyone was wondering.

My camera roll experienced all of the goodness with me, and so now I will share the deliciousness with you as well. (Take a shot every time I say I liked, enjoyed, or loved something.)

Bags

Let’s start with my favorite accessory. The bags at this show were out of control. I was almost swayed to buy bag #4, but it was $500 and I didn’t really feel like parting with that much money. (I’m still thinking about it, and I have the seller’s card. May circle back to this at a later date.) I was immediately drawn to the olive Céline shoulder bag - I haven’t seen a ton of vintage Céline in this shape and also in suede. It wasn’t on my list though, so she will simply have to live in my mind. There were tons of Fendi baguettes - beaded, knit, patterned, leather. You name it, it was there. And another favorite was an insane calfhair duffle bag. I will now be on the hunt for an alternative that is not $500. Here’s a good alternative if you too have fallen in love. I snapped a photo of the Dior solely because I have the matching shoes (on my Depop if anyone is interested).

Shoes

I somehow only ended up with these four shoe photos, but I had a brief love affair with the Louis Vuitton calf hair check slingbacks. Very, very brief. About 2 seconds before I discovered that they were a size 9. I was tempted to but the croc tassel loafers, but in my quest for self control I reminded myself that I already have 5 pairs. Perhaps I’ll add another pair in a few years when the rest of my main goals are accomplished.

Jackets & Coats

Are we sensing a theme? I love 1. animal and 2. elevated details. I tried on the first jacket and while I enjoyed it immensely, $200 felt a bit pricey. I do still enjoy the front contrast yoke (is it even still a yoke when it’s half the jacket?), but let’s be honest for a second. I have simply run out of jacket space. So back on the rack it went. The leopard calf hair jacket was (shockingly) Juicy Couture, and I was quite impressed with it. Ticks all the boxes - cropped, boxy, patch pockets with flaps, and calf hair. So I gave it a loving pat and went on my way. The furs at the show were out of this world, but I only ended up with a photo of this one leopard masterpiece. It was really that good. (Yours for just under $1600 if I am remembering correctly.) As for blazers, this black and white houndstooth check had layers and zippers and shaping I’ve never seen. I enjoyed it a lot. I also love military details, and loved the combination of pockets, asymmetrical closure, funnel neck, and belt details on jacket #7. Fortunately for my mission, it was way too long to fit me the way I would want. And then I just really appreciated the pleat and button combination on the cream jacket. As for the red? Why buy a couch when you can become the couch. A wearable Moschino couch.

Jewelry

If there was one thing I was truly tempted to take home, it was the ring I’m wearing in photo #5. 14k gold with pave, all in a little donut shape. I’m still thinking about it. Alas, woe is me. Moving on. After many years of shunning silver in favor of gold, the tides are turning. There was so. much. good. silver. I’m especially partial to the ball necklace in photo #6. The collar necklace has been calling my name recently. There were also a number of Gucci bevel watches (only 1 pictured), and a plethora of Bakelite cuffs and necklaces. These were on my list! But, after many try-on attempts, I have accepted that my wrists are simply too small for cuffs. I must resign myself to only wearing hinged bracelets.

And more…

Snakeskin pants have been my Roman empire for a few months - I think and dream about them. I almost cried when I saw this pair. And then I really almost cried when I saw the price. Dreams come with a cost, and this particular dream was $500. I consider myself thriftier than that. However, I still haven’t found a comprable pair after months of hunting. What is a girl to do? As for dresses - I fell in love with the sheer floral flowiness in photo 4. But, this falls under the category of completely impractical dresses, much like the previously mentioned lace gown. I briefly dreamed of a life in which I am eating a picnic in a very Sound of Music-esque landscape of rolling green hills, perhaps running with said dress flowing behind me. However, a reminder, I work in Midtown. The sequin top was actually a top contender, but I didn’t love the belt detail at the front waist. This is something I would actually wear to work with a pair of jeans. Oh well. Life goes on and I will find more sequins. The YSL belt called to me from across the aisle, and I had to snap a photo. I am in my blue phase, and this was in fact blue. I hope a lucky lady snagged it. And for my final discussion piece: a Roncelli denim set. I have never in my 27 years of life ever touched so supple a denim. It was the most perfectly worn in set I have ever laid my hands upon. I didn’t love the silhouette, but I tasked myself with looking up the brand when I got home, and it does not disappoint. Please see some of my favorite Roncelli finds:

Vintage 70s Roncelli toile & denim jacket, size XS $288

Vintage Roncelli piped chore jacket, size S $155

1970s studded denim jacket & pant set, size XS/S $789

The same set, in black, size S $1,770

And another studded set, in white, size 11/12 (vintage sizing, pants are 28”) $1,200

Denim set, size 0 $450 (it has matching jeans with super cool seaming)

Another denim set, size S $364

Denim & suede chore jacket, size XS $239.99

And that concludes our stroll around the Manhattan Vintage show. I hope you are inspired as I was, and I hope one day you are able to feel Roncelli denim.