Goodwill Find

A lot of blogger style icons like Rumi and Susie Bubble, who like incorporating vintage, find some of their most memorable pieces at Goodwill stores. Because of them, I've always wanted to try my hand at scouring mounds of toss-aways for that one great vintage find. On a Sunday afternoon, I was having lunch with some friends at a Chinese buffet. It was my first time at the restaurant and in that part of town. While driving there, I noticed a Goodwill store. So after lunch, I was happy and satiated and decided to check out the Goodwill store.

The space was not very large but crammed with donated items. The first thing I check out was the dresses. I was looking for cute, fun, and obviously vintage. Instead I found oversized, polyester muumuus that look like they were bought in the bargain bin of some department store. Feeling disappointed with the dress selection even though there was so much stuff, I kind of just wandered around looking at the shoes and home section. Not feeling too enthused, I took a look at the skirts. Amazingly I found a cute JCrew skirt in my size, for $3.50. Not bad, I nodded my head. Off my bargain-finding high, I browsed around some more but didn't really find anything else I wanted to try. Just as I was about to checkout, I found some purses placed at the end of clothing racks that were separate from the purse section. Among them was a Chanel-like Bloomingdale's purse that was just divine. It had lovely gold hardware and quilted detailing, and was in good condition. Cost: Two Dollars. I can honestly say that was the best bargain I've ever found. I don't even care if it turns out to be a knockoff, I take pride that it was a $2 purse.

Photographed with my roommate's Talbot shoes because they matched.

Close up

Vintage Evening Bags

Right now I am in love with vintage styled evening bags. I recently went to a local festival and found a stall that refurbished vintage evening bags. The festival brings together local artists and craftsmen, and I always go to stock up on fun, unique, but inexpensive jewelry. However, what really caught my eye this time was the tiny beaded pouches, jewel box-like evening bags, and sparkly minaudieres that were being sold in this vintage stall. I was dying to own one, but I knew these tiny purses cost a fortune so I didn’t even bother to look at the price tags. Evening bags are elaborately crafted and just scream glamour. Just another item to add to the ‘want but don’t need’ pile- but that never stops me from looking them up on the internet.

At Bergdorf Goodman, THE designer of classy evening bags is Leiber. It is a brand that really stays true to the decadent styles of past black tie affairs.

Leiber Cylinder Minaudiere (top): $4,495.00. Chrystalline Clutch (middle): $1,995.00. Chantelaine Madagascar Clutch (bottom): $3,695.00. Gazing at lovely Leiber bags on my computer: Priceless.


Part of the problem with spending mucho dinero on expensive vintage clutches is that most people do not attend black tie events on a regular basis. Let me count the number of times I used an evening bag in my life… oh yeah, once for prom. This is why I think using BagBorrowOrSteal is ideal. You can borrow a Leiber bag for a short time- because an evening bag is required only once a year for most people and that’s usually New Year's Eve-at a fraction of its retail price. BBoS also has a great selection that anyone has access to.

Maxim Vintage Lucite Evening Bag

Leiber Marquise Evening Handbag

J.B. Vintage Spanish Vanity Case

Leiber Vintage Tulip Minaudiere

Hobe Vintage Rhinestone Frame Evening Bag