Threadtrend

2 weeks ago I expressed my frustration after returning from a San Francisco trip with not one photo of good Bay area street style. I was dissapointed in the lack of creative style from the local scenesters. I asked our Bay area Threadtrend readers to prove me wrong and send photos of their unique style or that of their neighbors and I got a whopping 1 response!

A reader e-mailed us about www.kanankids.com where you can find photos of young bay area/LA scenesters hangin out and, from the looks of things, doing a lot of thrift scoring.  Nice vintage coats and headwear ladies.  Thanks E.Q!

I need more people! More! Hit us up at threadtrend@gmail.com

-Camille L.

The truth is I’ve been wanting a pair of high-waisted jeans for a long time, but as with all emerging trends, I’ve been priced out. I love Lips Jeans and Grey Ant, but I just don’t have hundreds to spend on denim–however, if I did, I probably would.

Enter: a thrift store.

I snagged these hot high-waisted trousers when Manuel Paul and I were getting our thrift on this weekend. They fit me like a glove, they’re the perfect color for spring, and they only cost $2.98. They’re also brand new and Italian. God must really love me.

Does it get any better?

-V. Thread

I recently thrift scored an Hermes Black rectangular scarf most-likely from the 80’s or early 90’s and I’m 99% the puppy was real.

I use the word ‘was’ because I recently sold it, and for what now seems like pennies in light of Vogue Magazine’s January 2008 report on the Marquis De Lafayette scarf designed by Kermit Oliver and displayed at the New York Historical Society’s “French Founding Fathers.”  This prompted me to do a little research on the larger-than-life Hermes scarf world.

Hermes began scarf production and a cult following in the 1930s by commissioning artists from around the world to create beautiful prints on the highest quality silk, using up to 30 different screens! Sites like House of Scarves provide an extensive list of some of the scarves produced throughout the last 50 years.

I also learned that second-hand Hermes scarves can sell anywhere between 250($369)-1000($147 euros!! While I did not find my scarf on House of Scarves, I’m sure it’ll pop up somewhere like on e-bay with 57 bids currently at $624 or something ridiculous like that!

So what did I learn from all of this?… Do your research. The next time you come across a designer gem, take a little google time and you might discover you’re sitting on your next rent check!!

-Camille L

In the late 80’s, my cousin Chante was THE leader of the Janet Jackson fan club. She handed down all non-Black clothing to me and she would’t be caught dead without a key dangling from her ear. I wanted to be her so bad! Thoughts of intense choreography and steamy warehouse buildings came to mind as I shopped a local flea market and came across this little gem. It’s so Janet Jackson’s 1989 Rhythm Nation!

This amazing wide elastic Black belt from the late 80’s by Alden Howard is the perfect addition to the “transition into the 90’s” portion of my wardrobe. It snaps in the back because of its hard core face plate. The 6″x4″ suede patch is covered with Black metal loops, bars, and studs. I suspect chains weaved throughout the loops originally but I love it the way it is!! Best part, of course, is the price. That’s right, a whole buck!

And now for your listening and viewing pleasure… God those were good times!!

-Camille L

It’s no secret that here at Threadtrend we love American Apparel. We can’t help it–they make stuff we like for prices we don’t hate. That’s why we were excited to check out their new California Vintage store next door to the Echo Park location. We finally made the trip this weekend, and we liked what we saw.

California Vintage is the brainchild of American Apparel employees, who thought something should be done with the piles of clothes crowding AA’s basement. Now, the shop’s racks are also filled with finds from professional vintage buyers, including pieces from the 1950s to 1990s. They also slip in lots of new AA stuff, like velour t-shirts, tights and socks to blend in with the oldie but goodie pieces.

From acid wash jeans and skirts to tons of 80s dresses, the selection at California Vintage isn’t too shabby. They also have lots of shoes, sunglasses and tops as well as flannels and t-shirts for guys. And, of course, the displays are delectable.

See:

American Vintage is located at:

2111 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Tel. (213) 483-8331

-V. Thread

Leather dresses were quite popular on the F/W 07-08 runways.  These two from Fendi (left) and Jil Sander (right) were my faves.  In the winter months, leather dresses are perfect for nights out when worn with tights and understated accessories.  But remember, this revival is simply a nod from the 80’s and there may be one screaming your name at you local thrift or vintage store.  Or you can stay right where you are and snatch one off ebay.  Here are a few for sale right now:

Vintage 80’s Electric Blue Hoban leather dress

Current price: $75

Auction ends: Dec 10th 5:34 pm PST

Vintage 70’s Black Pierre Cardin leather dress with Purple and Red trim

Current Price: $99.99

Auction ends: Dec 10th 2:49 pm PST

Vintage 80’s Dark Green North Beach leather dress

Current Price: $58.00

Auction Ends: Dec 9th 6:32 pm PST

Good Luck!

… Oh yeah and H&M has a great one in Black too,  if you can still find it.

-Camille L

Two days ago my pal, Manuel Paul, gave us all “a few options for short lace up/buckle booties to wear with high-water jeans”.  They’re called Winklepickers (try saying that 12 times!).  Well wouldn’t you know, as Manuel Paul was typing away about his favorite picks from Swear.com and Underground Shoes,  I was perusing the thrift stores and found a pair in Red for $2!! 
We at Threadtrend must truly be on the same page with spotting trends, because, really, I had no idea this was on Manuel Paul’s mind when I purchased them! The fit and color are great.  They’re made of 100% soft leather and they have the natural wear and tear and scuffs that age them to my liking.  Best of all, they were cheaper than bus fair!!  I would, of course, wear these with skinnies as I have in the photo but I stumbled upon the amazing S/S 08′ unisexish line from Juun J on Totemfashion.com and I only want to wear them with this stuff.   Gosh its hard falling in love….  More on Juun J later…

-Camille L

Do you remember Z Cavaricci pants?

They were, hands down, the greatest part of any outfit for men and women in the mid to late 80’s. Equipped with a high waist, a long crotch, a plethora of pleats, extra belt loops, and a peg leg, they invoke images of A.C. Slater or, even better, Johnny Kemp in the 1988 “Just Another Lover” music video .

I used to pass over dozens of pairs of Z Cavariccis at thrift stores with no interest at all and now I regret it. The supply is now dangerously scarce. Every now and then, I’ll find a pair that resemble the brand’s shape and detail but they won’t have the signature Z Cavaricci label on the fly. So you can imagine how excited I was when I found a Black pair in pristine condition at my local thrift store for $4.95, White Z Cavarizzi label and all!!

If you think your days of peg pants and pleating are over, think again.

Pair it with a cropped tuxedo jacket By Lux From Urban Outfitters:

Patterned tank by Torn By Ronny Kobo :

Jewel-tone heels from TopShop:

and of course a skinny belt (or 2) to accent those many belt loops, such as these from Urban Outfitters:

Z. Cavaricci’s, These aren’t just another pair of trousers.

-Camille L. 

These sweaters are so bad they’re good. They’re right on time with the current “ultra-graphic-I-lived-through-the –80’s” obsession.

These are one-of-a-kind sheep wool Inka Sweaters made in Peru,that I scored for 2 Bucks each at the local thrift shop. Consider pairing either one of these sweaters with a pleated “carrot” leg pant or crispy dark denim along with bright oxfords or booties like these by D. Co Copenhagen .

Finding your own unique cold weather knit may be just as easy as hitting up your local thrift or vintage store.

-Camille L.