Elise MontecastroThe Melrose Trading Post is one of L.A.'s best vintage and collectibles flea markets. It takes place every Sunday at Fairfax High School and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
It's also an ongoing fundraising event for student clubs and organizations at Fairfax High, so you can feel good about blowing your paycheck. You'll find everything here, like vintage clothing and handmade jewelry, as well as every kind of tchotchke and knick-knack imaginable.
This week for street wear, it was all about the details that made these treasure hunters' outfits unique. From accessories to DIY embellishments, this flea market's shoppers had it all.
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Kristalyn's outfit is effortless. Her top is actually a tucked-in dress from the shop LF, where she works. I love the way she styled that dress as a top; it's a really smart way to wear the high-low skirt trend, which I've been seeing everywhere lately. The really cool part about her outfit is the shoulder details on her flannel. Check out the rad leather & studding:
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Credit: Elise Montecastro
When I asked Jermaine about his outfit, all he had to say was, “Rock & roll, sex and Johnny Thunders.”
I think that pretty much sums it up. But look at his sweet bolero tie! I love the pops of turquoise throughout the piece; it makes the whole outfit even better.
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Credit: Elise Montecastro
What caught my eye with Christy's outfit wasn't just that amazing striped maxi dress, or how she paired it with the perfect-wash-of-denim jacket — it's that beautiful necklace she's wearing. She's a jewelry designer and she made that necklace herself using scrap leather and some brass chain. I'll take one in black leather and the white, please and thank you.
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Finally, I get to see a person in real life rocking the Night-Lita! This heel-less beauty of a shoe, by Jeffrey Campbell, is a daring silhouette. It all started with shoe designer Noritaka Tatehana, who first designed this style and gave a complimentary pair to Lady Gaga while he was in his final year of design school.
Nadine dressed down this shoe perfectly with an easy-fitted, plaid button-down and dark skinny denim.
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Jenna is adorable. I love everything about her outfit because of the mix of fabrics and textures — she has denim, flannel, eyelet lace, leather and suede. She has a vintage-Americana thing going on…I'm a fan.
The eyelet lace on her Free People dress is sweet, yet where it's placed on the dress makes it alluring…love it.
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Credit: Elise Montecastro
I thought this girl had a great “model off-duty look” and once I got to talking with her, it turned out she actually is one. This is Tsubasa Watanabe, and she's on her bimonthly visit to L.A. from New York (where, btw, she walked the runway for a few shows during New York Fashion Week). Tsubasa is also a fashion blogger — she takes rad backstage photos using her 35mm film camera.
The box clutch/purse she had was so ladylike and in perfect condition — she actually bought it right there at the flea market.
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Paisley's outfit is a perfect example of how the little details in staple items really transform a look. If you break it down, she has on a white button-down, a black A-line skirt, loafers and a cardigan. Simple, right? The details that take this outfit out of the ordinary, however, are the metal collar tips on her button-down (which she purchased at the Rose Bowl Flea Market), the ribbed texture on the knit skirt, the studding on her loafers and the sheer, abstract print on the cardigan. Ladies who are required to wear a uniform to work or school, take note.
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Credit: Elise Montecastro
Since Valentine's Day just passed, I couldn't leave out some couples shots. I noticed quite a few couples out doing Valentine's Day this weekend, since it fell on a work day this year. I'm usually not one for couples who like to match, but when you see couples who actually have good style AND coordinating outfits — I can't hate.
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