Your bible for scoring vintage finds around Raleigh
What’s old is in again. While shopping for brand-new clothing is always fun, there’s no dopamine hit quite like uncovering a coveted vintage find for mere dollars—and in this economy, that matters. Not only does vintage shopping get you a better deal—plus unique, quality clothes—there’s a plethora of ways to navigate the vast vintagescape.
eBay
Vintage resellers are an easy place to start—all the work is already done, aside from picking what you like and making sure it fits. Pro tip: Sizing was not the same 30 years ago, so when in doubt, try it on.
Because the ~curating~ part is already done for you, resellers can lean pricey. While convenience can come at a premium, many resellers are open to negotiation or offer $5 or $10 bins. For curated finds around town, try The Burrow, Pallbearer, Wolfe & Porter’s monthly markets or any Vintage Bazaar event. If you’re after furniture, head to Cheshire Cat or TrunkShow.
If those price tags hurt, save some dollars and do the digging yourself. Read: Hit the thrift store. Dorcas Thrift Shop and Goodwill are good places to start, and—when in doubt—stores that require an appointment to donate are always a good bet. Racks rarely stay organized, so look in as many sections as possible—you may find a hidden gem of a tank top in the pajamas section or an oversize vintage tee shoved between dresses.
Found a contender? Check the tags for 100% wool, cashmere, cotton, silk and leather, and note where and how the garment was manufactured. “Made in the USA” labels and union tags are rarely from this century and a good indication you’re scoring a steal.
Resale sites like Vinted, eBay and Depop serve up an unrefined blend of curated and chaotic: Some resellers sport astronomical markups, while others just want items gone—for cheap. When searching, be specific and try a couple different wordings—i.e., search for both “black leather cowboy boots size 8” and “tall black leather boots Western style.”
Before you lock it down, research the seller’s ratings, read the listing carefully (bare minimum, it’s a smoke-free household) and don’t underestimate the power of the lowball: You never know what a seller will accept. Be respectful—and mindful that it’s some people’s only source of income—but never assume the listing price is final. See if the reseller will go lower, and if not, so be it. Happy hunting!
Rustic opulence and fall vibes collide in this dormer guest-room nook leaning into the circa-1800s home’s vintage bones, complete with savvy storage for bedding and toys via a perfectly placed handpainted antique chest. “We really let the character and age of the house influence a lot of the design decisions,” says local designer Kate Hutchison, who travels all over the Southeast for work via her eponymous kate.h.design. “I always try to let the architecture and style of a home guide me when finishing an interior—you end up with a much more cohesive space that way.” A timeless treasure, indeed. kate-h-design.com
Designer’s Tips
CURTAIN CALL Use drapery with a simple tape trim to elevate and warm up a space with a pop of color or pattern—without breaking the bank. Pro tip: Sleepy guests love a blackout lining.
TIMELESS BLEND Mix old and new to showcase sentimental heirlooms while keeping a room feeling fresh.
GOOD BONES Let the home’s original elements—think window casing, beams, natural wood finish—and craftsmanship shine.
For the first time in Raleigh, fans of all things retro have an event to call their very own. Head to the State Fairgrounds over Veteran’s Day weekend for the Vintage Fan Fair and take in the nostalgia: products and services from vintage vendors, old-school entertainment and activities, and classic car and trailer collections.
The event’s “Glamper Showcase” will feature more than 20 vintage campers, all open for you to tour. Victoria Ocken, author of the book “Vintage Trailer Voyeur,” a chronicle of vintage campers and their owners, will visit the fair on Friday and Saturday to meet the public and sign books. To get you in the spirit, we asked Ocken to share an excerpt from “Vintage Trailer Voyeur:”
“The Alaska-Canadian Highway in the 1960’s, with its many steep grades, switchbacks, dusty dirt surface and few guardrails is the background for some of Lori’s most treasured memories. A trip of a lifetime (especially for a nine-year old) Lori and her sister traveled the fabled route with her mother and father in a classic canned ham trailer, a Trail-Along. The unpaved road lead to some challenges as they stopped at night to a dust covered trailer, but her father was inventive and found an old oriental carpet to drape over the trailer to keep some of the dirt out. Add to that the caribou horns he procured for the car hood and you had quite a sight, especially on the return trip when traveling through the city. Memories like this last a lifetime, and you never know what will bring them to the surface fresh as the day they happened. For Lori it was an ordinary Saturday and a chance encounter at Barnes and Noble where a small group of vintage trailers were gathered for a book signing. One look and all the feeling came flooding back more powerful than ever imagined. She needed a trailer. After many disappointing missed deals, The Jolly Rancher entered her life. The warm birch paneling, the sweet wooden screen door with a little sliding door and the authentic soul of the camper were all perfect, but what sealed the deal was the layout. It was identical to that little camper that traveled the long road when she was nine. She was smitten. Lori can sit in the camper and go back to a simpler time, a time of adventure and wandering. Its walls are familiar like no other place can be. She is home, on the road again, with her parents watching from afar smiling and laughing with her.”
On occasion, a movie strikes a chord at the perfect time. And this year it was “La La Land,” a bright, colorful ode to love that inspires hope and optimism. Here, we translate the film’s flirty fashion for spring.
Styled by Elie Rossetti Serraino | Photographs by Tyler Northrup
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IN AN AGE of online ordering and instant gratification, there’s something alluring about the simple, tactile quest of a flea market morning.
Sifting through stacks of vinyl records and old books, studying the curves of antique furniture, bargaining with seasoned dealers…searching for swag at the Raleigh Flea Market is one of our favorite weekend diversions.
Check out the gems we unearthed for $25 and under!
Neon and Gold-Tone Earrings, $6. Flashes of highlighter neon anchored with classic gold.
Cast Iron Skillets, $12 and up. These kitchen classics have seen better days, but that’s what makes them a steal! You could whip these into shape with some elbow grease.
Large Metal Lantern, $23. Fill with candles or use as a planter.
Glass Drawer Pulls, $8. Lovely knobs in all sorts of colors and textures make easy upgrades to flea market furniture.
Vintage Soda Crates, $20. Single or stacked, these crates are fun and functional storage pieces.
Brass Duck Bookends, $12. A charming way to display your books (or growing stack of Raleigh Magazines!).
Blue Quart-Sized Mason Jars, $8 and $10. Group these beauties in a light-filled window or fill them with bright flowers.
