Ask me where I got a piece and there’s a good chance the answer will be, “It’s vintage.” I’ve always loved clothing with a little history and as a stylist, I’m constantly looking for pieces that feel different, full of character, or simply aren’t something you’re going to see coming down the street on several people.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to source and create looks for tons of celebrity clients including Shawn Mendes, Kane Brown, Channel Tres, Miguel Harichi, Shameik Moore, David Kushner, and Aldis Hodge. Working with talent has taught me that finding the right piece isn’t always about finding the newest collection or the most recognizable designer. Sometimes the best find is something that already exists and just needs the right eye to bring it back to life.
Vintage sourcing is also a big part of how I think about sustainability. I’m not someone who believes you have to stop shopping altogether to shop more responsibly. For me, it’s about being more intentional, buying something that already exists, giving it another life, and developing an eye for pieces that can live in your wardrobe for years.
There are, of course, the big resale platforms like eBay and The RealReal, which can be great starting points. But when I’m looking for something more specific, unusual or deeply curated, I tend to go a little further off the beaten path. These are some of the resources I keep coming back to, both for myself and when I’m sourcing for clients.
If you’re serious about vintage, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is a mecca. This is one of those places where you can spend hours walking around and still feel like you haven’t seen everything.
What I love about the Rose Bowl is that you’re going straight to the source. A lot of vintage retailers come here to source their own inventory, so you’re essentially shopping where the people who know vintage shop. You can find everything from clothing and accessories to jewelry, furniture and incredible home pieces.
Since becoming a mom, I’ve also discovered that the Rose Bowl has one of the largest selections of vintage kids’ clothing I’ve come across. There’s something so special about finding a little vintage piece for your child instead of buying something brand new that every other kid has. My biggest advice? Go with an open mind. You may go looking for a leather jacket and come home with a lamp, a vintage belt and a dress you never knew you needed. That’s part of the fun.
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Erre Vintage is one of my favorite places to look when I’m in Mexico City. As someone who is Mexican, I love being able to source vintage in a place that feels culturally connected to me.
There’s something different about vintage shopping in Mexico. You’re not just looking at old fashion, you’re encountering pieces that have lived within a different cultural history. Erre has a beautiful point of view and is a great place to discover pieces that feel timeless without feeling overly familiar.
I also love looking at vintage as a way to connect with where you come from. Fashion has a way of preserving culture, and sometimes a garment can tell you as much about a place and a particular moment in time as a photograph can.
If you’re traveling to Mexico City, I would absolutely make time for vintage shopping. Go curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions about where pieces came from.
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