Gem Stories - Style, travel, and all things vintage

A guide to outdoor flea markets in New York City: 7 flea markets that all have several vintage clothing vendors.

In March The New York Times wrote: brooches are back and this time it is men who are wearing them. We checked with some vintage vendors if this holds any truth.

Look up fashion magazines’ summer trend reports, pick your favorite look and choose the real deal – vintage.

Artist Allison Hamer, 28, found calm and happiness in sewing vintage-inspired ornaments. The vintage clothing hobby inspired her to practice more hand-sewing.

Who knew 30s and 40s clothes could look both so elegant and comfortable at the same time? NYC-based makeup artist and vintage collector Michelle Coursey shows how.

T-shirt is probably the most common piece of clothing in the world. What is your favorite t-shirt and what makes it so special to you? We asked vintage vendors and collectors.

Since the pandemic began, vintage auctions have largely moved online. We interviewed some experts to get the best tips on how to shop and bid like a pro on all kinds of online auctions.

What makes a sports jersey iconic? Great moments in sports history, striking design, and a loyal, passionate fan base.

Annika White, 24, and Carl Knight, 25, connected over a shared sense of style and love for vintage clothing. Now their favorite hobby is playing dress-up and creating photoshoots.

This week we introduce six podcasts that offer different perspectives on the vintage and secondhand world.

What is trending in the vintage world this spring? We asked three vintage lovers to share their spring shopping lists.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we dove into the lives of four groundbreaking ladies of jewelry design.

Stylist and fashion editor Karis Battle, 35, loves a good deal. Now she shares her best thrifted looks and tips.

Steve Karas, 33, has been a devoted Jean Paul Gaultier collector since his teen years in Southern France. A year ago, he was able to launch his online store and share his collection with all the JPG fans out there.

Facebook group Vintage Styling for Modern Girls is a supportive space to discuss all things vintage for its 16k members. Read how the group has helped the members to find their style and identity.

Xavier Means, 20, runs a unique online thrift store: he sells items from Black-owned brands only.

Gisela Castillo, 46, proves that tulle dresses, feathers, and sequins can be worn on a grocery store run. Here are her favorite vintage finds.

Take the pledge to buy no new fashion this year.

A queer couple Genevieve Marruffo, 24, and Em Rodriguez, 40, launched their Instagram account Tender Empresses after accidentally wearing matching outfits, often all thrifted, as crushed-out acquaintances.

Victorian mourning jewelry is making a resurgence among antique and vintage jewelry lovers. Jewelry designer and curator Stephanie Sutch explains why.

Gunne Sax must be one of the most loved vintage brands, and more actual than ever thanks to the prairie dress craze started by Batsheva. We asked three Gunne lovers why this brand is so special to them.

Denny Balmaceda is a fashion blogger and content creator who believes style is storytelling and independent of fashion.

Miami-based Eveliina Vintage is known for their dreamy 30s dresses. Founder Eeva Musacchia explains how the dresses were worn back in the days and how they are worn now.

New York-based Raissa Bretaña is a fashion historian and educator at FIT and Pratt Institute. She also hosts a video series for Glamour magazine. Now she shares her best vintage finds with us.

You don’t need to head to a mall for warm winter accessories – you can easily shop gloves, beanies, hats, and more secondhand. We picked some fun ones for your inspiration.

Brian Cohen started collecting vintage while in college and learned the tricks of the trade from the legendary Bobby from Boston. Now, Cohen sells unique vintage pieces from his museum-like store in LA.

Our NYC Vintage Map lists all the city’s vintage, thrift, and resale stores. For this story, we asked some well-known vintage aficionados to share their favorite stores.

Hannah Woldetsadik, 23, is inspired by Japanese street style and repurposing old accessories and garments.

What did people find and shop at the recent A Current Affair vintage show in Brooklyn, New York?

Five classic garments that can be the foundation of your wardrobe year after year.

Founder of Sultry Vintage, Lauren S, loves Edwardian and Art Deco watches for their timelessness.

Layering and classic staple items make the vintage look this winter.

Melissa Peterson Lee has loved Michael Hoban's leather designs for decades. Through her Hooked on Honey vintage store she has sold way over 100 of his pieces.

9 steps to making the vintage purchase of your life.

Rebekka Adams, the founder of the Austin-based Bloomers and Frocks vintage store, is an avid Monet collector. Now she shares her most treasured pieces from this pioneering costume jewelry label.

What vintage items to shop this fall? We asked three well-known fashion editors to share their shopping lists.

Kate Bauer, 25, is a doctoral candidate, an avid thrifter, and a vintage clothing reseller living in Toronto. She is a master of layering cute looks so we wanted to ask for her best thrifting and styling tips.

Four vintage vendors and hat lovers share their best tips: how to incorporate hats into your everyday looks.

After having troubles finding a vintage wedding gown of her dreams, Rebecca Morris launched a vintage wedding dress business specializing in the 70s vintage gowns.

Malvika Sheth, 21, shares her best vintage finds emulating the hottest trends. Vintage doesn't mean you can't be on-trend.

All body types should be celebrated and feel welcome in the vintage space. We interviewed four vintage sellers about how to make vintage business more inclusive.

Lauren Lepire, the owner of the Timeless Vixen vintage fashion company, is drawn to Ossie Clark more than any other designer. Clark was the celebrity designer of the 60s and 70s Swinging London.

Lily Fulop is on a mission to inspire us to be more mindful about our clothes. Her book Wear, Repair, Repurpose, is a hands-on guide to mending and upcycling.

Nicole Bernstein, the founder of Starday Vintage, only wears 50s shoes or older. Now, she explains why and how to take care of your vintage shoes.

Are designer handbags good investments or not? We asked an expert at Open for Vintage, a luxury marketplace for designer vintage.

Vuokko Nurmesniemi created the distinctive Marimekko style that is still relevant today. After leaving Marimekko, Nurmesniemi developed her style even further in her own company Vuokko.

Stylist Karen James-Welton, 55, aka Fabulous Miss K shares her tips on how to add a touch of vintage to any wardrobe, at any age.

Identical twin sisters Emma and Grace Allen, 23, love anything vintage, matching outfits, lime green, and Oxford shoes.

Ten vintage vendors, ten summer looks. Find your favorite!

Jesus Herrera sells traditional Mexican garments to a growing international clientele. To operate responsibly, he takes into account the origin and purpose of the garment.

Stephen Burrows is often regarded as the first internationally successful African-American designer. He was one of the US designers taking Paris by storm at the Battle of Versailles.

Audrey Vann, 23, launched an Instagram account dedicated to platform shoes out of pure love.

What is trending in the vintage world right now? What are people seeking at the moment and what will be the future trends? We asked three experienced vendors.

How does Poshmark work for vintage vendors and buyers? We asked five Poshmark sellers about their experiences on selling true vintage on the platform.

Marisol Muro is many things: an illustrator, art fabricator, prop and costume maker, stylist, and vintage seller. And most importantly, a vintage lover.

This summer, jewelry looks more fun than in ages. It is a playful mixture of materials, colors, and sizes.

Amanda Suter, 39, is known for her head-turning looks and quality vintage collection. Now she shares some of her most eclectic garments with us.

Sydney-based wardrobe stylist and slow fashion advocate Joanne Gambale shares her best tips: how to shop what you already have and make the most out of it.

Fashion during the WWII was a manifestation of patriotism and resourcefulness. Crissy Burgstaler of How Sweet It Was Vintage explains why the topic is actual again.

Ringo discovered vintage after she moved from Japan to San Francisco at the age of 24. She has been collecting vintage ever since. And now, she sells her collection online.

Kerri Barta and Jason Yolkiewicz are the founders of Hellhound Vintage, an online boutique specializing in premium vintage tees and curated vintage from the 60s to the 90s. One of their special fields is 70s denim.

For your inspiration – ten vintage looks spotted at Pickwick Vintage Show in Burbank in February.

LA-based stylist Sissy Sainte-Marie, 45, is known for her neutral and monochrome looks. Here she shares her vintage shopping and styling tips.

Garret Miller is the proprietor of Western Gifts, a vintage business specializing in early to mid 20th century military clothing, and workwear.

Make New York Fashion Week trends your own and sustainable by choosing secondhand.

Liz Baca aka Busy Lady Baca is a vintage vendor, treasure hunter, and style maverick. Here she shares four looks from her wardrobe – 100% vintage!

Doris Raymond and her store The Way We Wore are LA institutions. We sat down with her and chatted about the past and the future of vintage.

Los Angeles is the city of outdoor fleas. Here are my tips for getting the most out of them.

Larissa Blintz, 24, is the owner and designer of Miracle Eye. A businesswoman since an early kid, she started her first vintage business at the age of 10.

Stylist and model Eric Ellison likes to challenge norms and invent new ways of wearing clothes that he already owns.

Ari Seth Cohen, the creator of Advanced Style, inherited his love for all things vintage from his grandmother Bluma.

Upcycling transforms trash into treasures. It is a new trend and aesthetic challenging the ideas of mass-consumption and fast fashion.

Brittany Rose, loves all things that come with being a woman. 32-year old New Yorker knows how to dress up elegantly with affordable vintage pieces.

How to stay warm and look cute with vintage? A bunch of vintage vendors from cold climates share their best survival/style tips for the winter.

By frequenting thrift and vintage stores, Kechi Onimo was able to cultivate his own sense of style.

Lana Wharry wears ensembles, not individual pieces of clothing. Her outfits are walking pieces of art – and 100% vintage.

Miami is not only beach and palm trees. Here are our favorite vintage and consignment stores in The Magic City.

Nong Rak's fun, magical, colorful visuals and whimsical collections are rapidly melting hearts of vintage lovers in New York and beyond.

For NYC-based queer artist Grey... clothing is about armor and self-expression.

Shopping mindfully and sustainably is easier than you think. Vendors of the upcoming Gold Dust event share their best gifting tips!

Vintage store assistant and art student Juan Hernandez, 26, is ready to pay $900 and more for his vintage t-shirts.

Here are my 13 favorite stores I discovered while in London in August. Even more vintage destinations on our Google Maps list!

Amy Abrams, 46, is the co-founder of Artists & Fleas marketplace of makers with locations in NYC and LA. She has been wearing vintage since her 20s.

Look smart, sharp, and professional with these tips from vintage vendors! Learn which materials, items, and colors to shop, and how to style your outfit for work.

A cult figure and one of the most celebrated designers in the 1980s, Claude Montana disappeared suddenly from the spotlight. Now his bold 80s aesthetics feels more current than ever before.

For the style seekers exploring this historic city, listed is the top 6 contemporary vintage stores that will take you through the era’s.

Zandra Rhodes has been in fashion for 50 years. We met her in London in August and chatted about her career.

Modern shoulder pads originated in the 30's, then had a major comeback in the 80's (never forget), and are back in fashion again. But why?

Elizabeth Sweetheart, 78, is known as The Green Lady of Brooklyn for her head-to-toe green looks. She is also a fine artist, print designer, and collector of vintage.

Best vintage stores in Vancouver, Canada! The city has an amazing amount of vintage, great cafes, and friendly neighborhoods.

Do yourself a favor, and treat that spot the next minute you notice it on your garment. Here are selected vintage vendors' tips on how to do it professionally.

We picked five genderless fall trends and created them with second-hand pieces from Beyond Retro in London.

In 1951, a revolutionary textile company Marimekko was born in Finland. Integral to its success were the bold prints and operating outside of international fashions.

Copenhagen is known for its many bikes, great Nordic food scene, and Danish design. But did you know that the city has a vibrant and steadily growing vintage scene, too?

It is time to follow vintage vendors’ example and stop over-washing our (vintage) clothes. Less washing, more lifetime!

Vintage vendor Nicole Murillo, 37, likes to stand out. Wearing vintage helps her to express herself in ways that feel safe.

Our favorite vintage, second hand, and consignment stores in the Emerald City. 18 stores in six neighborhoods – and even more on our Google Maps list.

The Parsons Fashion Study Collection contains over 4,000 historical garments. Sara Idacavage, who oversees the collection, explains why it is important to have archived pieces that students can look and touch.

Old clothes aren't worn out, they’re opportunities, says Kate Sekules, a fashion historian rescuing old clothes by mending them.

Back in the 1980s and the 1990s Marlboro created streetwear and outdoors gear – to promote their business aka sell cigarettes. Though not a smoker anymore, Mark Humphreys is a fan and a collector of all things Marlboro.

Patrice, 29, and Shannon, 28, are childhood friends from Texas and work colleagues. Together they also run Softwild Shop on Depop, selling only items they would wear themselves.

We spent six days exploring the vintage scene in Portland, OR, and found an amazing amount of great vintage: over 30 stores and we know that is not all of it. Wow.

The styles of women’s handbags have always reflected the values and lifestyles of the times. Edie, the owner of Edith Machinist, a vintage boutique in New York City, explains how.

Amarcord Vintage Fashion owner Patti Bordoni started to import Italian vintage fashion to New York in the '90s. One of her imports was Romeo Gigli.

Naomi Bergknoff shares the inspiration behind starting her gem-filled online shop Omnia.

Berriez is a vintage store dedicated to people sizes 8 and up. Vintage should be for everyone, says the founder Emma Zack.

What makes a handbag a classic? We all know the Hermès Birkin bag is a classic but what could be the handbag classics of the future?

East Village Vintage Collective specializes in curated, but affordable vintage. We created five summer looks with gems from their collection.

Ting Ding collects and reunites 1980s and 1990s print sets by Moschino, Versace, and Gaultier.

Suzy Palmer from Olly Oxen Free Vintage store loves dusters in all their forms, from light-weight linen coats to robes and shirtdresses.

Artist, writer, and model Jo Rosenthal shares her best vintage finds.

We styled five looks with vintage and contemporary pieces from Designer Revival to celebrate the comeback of the 1980s.

Japanese designer Mitsuhiro Matsuda is an obsession of Collin Weber and Brandon Giordano, the owners of James Veloria vintage store. Now they tell us, why.

Thrifting helped Christhany Zhu to find her style and clothes that fit her.

Brian Davis of Wooden Sleepers vintage store in Red Hook, New York City, shows how to incorporate a vintage element into your look with iconic pieces that will suit every style.

Your ultimate guide to Austin vintage stores. Four neighborhoods, 21 stores. Plus some bonus tips.

We picked nine spring trends and created them with second hand pieces from Beacon’s Closet in New York.

Fashion historian Sara Idacavage demonstrates the diversity of 70s style.

Jamee Jones, 30, created a 70s, 80s, and 90s look for us. Old, but fresh!

Vintage seller Mark Rosado from Top Shelf Premium has been a Ralph Lauren fan all his life.

Vintage fashion blogger Leigh Ray knew already 10 years ago that jeans and dresses are a perfect match.

Lace Tomer, 35, pairs her pajama sets with chunky sneakers, statement jewelry, and bold jackets. Easy, but fun!

I met Maria Oliveira and Ryan Lerma, the power couple behind Passport Vintage, to learn why vintage denim is so much better than new.

Illustration artist Prates Songtieng, 35, also known as Monsieur Poppi, builds his winter outfits around statement vintage jackets.

Too many vintage stores, too little time! That's how my first visit to Chicago was like.