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Flea Market Fashionista

January 23, 2012

Shauna Thomas, the Flea Market Fashionista, strongly believes in feeling fabulous frugally. An expert shopper of vintage items, Shauna explains where and how to find amazing designer pieces for a fraction of the price.

When did you start shopping vintage?
My grandparents were antique dealers so I would go around the country with them to estate sales, yard sales and antique sales as a child. My grandmother taught me how you authenticate things and how much things are worth.

What is vintage, technically. And what do you look for?
It’s anything that’s at least 20-25 years old, from the 1920’s up to the 1980’s basically. I don’t shop for used clothes but stylish, well-made items from their time. I look for things that stand the test of time.

What’s one of your best finds?
An authentic Gucci purse from the 1980’s for $9.99 at a thrift store in Kansas City.

What should you look for when shopping vintage?
Look for the fabrics. It’s about good quality, color, texture and how it’s made–a lot of dresses from the 60′s and 70′s, for instance, have metal zippers. And I always want to look at the label for an older font, print or type-setting and there should be yellowing on the tags.

How do you approach a fashion makeover?
I talk to my clients about what they want. The hardest part is getting them to realize quality. Some clients balk at paying $50 for something used, but I say buy it once, buy it right, and have it forever.

Best places to find great vintage shopping deals in Los Angeles?
Melrose Trading Post, the Santa Monica Airport Flea Market, the Pickwick Gardens, and estate sales – you just have to do your research and know what you’re looking for.

Claudia Maittlen-Harris is a writer and comedian based in Los Angeles. She is the co-creator of the how-not-to dating/relationship blog, The Zeros Before the One.