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Thrifting can be a daunting task to accomplish knowing it requires the holy trifecta of time, patience, and luck that many of us don't possess. Yet here we are trying our darnedest to shift into an age of shopping that proves ethical on all accounts and a more prominent desire for one-of-a-kind pieces in our wardrobes. What to do... Oh, that's right! I'm here with the answer.

Previously, I highlighted a number of sustainable brands that were on the steep side, with the inclusion of online consignment options like The Real Real and Depop in between. As someone who is pressed for pennies but fashion-hungry myself, I've thankfully since then found more ways to keep conscious about my purchases while keeping them chic and shoppable from the comfort on my bed.

Without further ado, I bestow upon you all my favorite online vintage and consignment shops!



SORORITÉ VINTAGE

Accessories tend to be overlooked outside of ready-to-wear due to their more readily commercial purchase power during these times whilst a greater emphasis on gowns and awards season-friendly garb. That being said, I said screw that and tried to dig through for what eccentric goodies I could find.

Despite losing photos to the void of which is the mess of files on my desktop, I bring to you all a collective of accessories I spotted while catching up on every runway show during this SS20 Couture season. To note, there were also some pretty sick belts I saw from several designers but not knowing whether or not they were attached to the apparel they were fitted to led me to leave them out of this post. Feel free to check them out for yourselves alone with more of the gorgeous pieces on Vogue Runway and Now Fashion.

Schiaparelli

When you want to be the villainess of the third adaptation of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events it's imperative that you save all your future paychecks to collect this entire array of kooky and avant-garde trinkets.  Some references to founder Elsa Schiaparelli were taken into consideration by Creative Director Daniel Roseberry including her favorite flower the iris on the ears, tape measure detailing on sandal straps, and the exoskeletal gold jewels as an homage to her old friend and famed Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. 

Ronald van der Kemp

RVDK prides himself on bringing sustainability and inclusiveness to the couture runway which are concepts almost entirely unheard of even during less haute times. Recycling leather and overproduced luxury materials, the Dutch designer has amassed an environmentally-friendly glamour everyone else should take notes from.

Valentino

The same satisfyingly saturated palette Piccioli's been dousing Valentino's last few collections with to die for leather mad scientist gloves, oversized phoenix feather earrings and ear cuffs, and coral reef headpieces I can only assume would attract many birds to perch on the wearer's head (not that that particular item is all that wearable in the first place).

Ralph & Russo

The Australian designer duo presented a series of modern ballroom fairytale envy that provide a couturified vision of what Ariel would wear after ditching her mermaid tail for legs and a handsome prince in 2020. The seafoam green and ballet slipper pink adorned with the most delicate ruffles and scaly skin-tight rhinestone sock boots topped off with a bow almost identical to that of the Disney princess's from the animated films is all too exquisite.

Ulyana Sergeenko

Dita von Teese, cats, and sparkles. I'm dreaming. Often I daydream of being a pin-curl donning, precise cat-eye drawing, silk gown and tiara-wearing hotel heiress. This is almost identical to that fantasy, but so much grander than I had even imagined. Yes, I'll take my martini glass crown shaken, not stirred.

Givenchy

Why are coronal headbands so appealing to me? I've seen so many complaints but no matter how many times I'm deterred from throwing my money at one, I can't help but get this babydoll Miu Miu obsessed girl who reads Virginia Woolf and Charlotte Brontë exclusively vibe from them I want to bask in. Clare Waight-Keller definitely agrees. Those sparingly crystal-laden tights are really calling out to me as well, as much as they can be used for weddings and special events, they'd likely perk up any day-to-day fit to work or brunch just the same.

Horror is a much more expansive genre than you'd think at first. It's not all jump scares, demons, haunted houses, or psychological thrillers. Much like taffy, it can be stretched into whatever a writer/director desires it to be and present a dozen elemental factors as well as underlying messages.

Fashion often looks back to horror and gothic eras for inspiration as seen and widely revered in the many collections by Alexander McQueen prior to his passing in 2010. Being a huge fan of his work, but a scaredy-cat nonetheless, I thought it would be a fun idea to compile a list of horror films (some more frightening than others) that had me lusting over fashion long enough to keep me from cowering away from the screen.




The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

I often wonder if steampunk was born out of Rocky Horror because is there anything more iconic than the leather-clad corsets and fishnets combo Frank-N-Furter is most known for? This cult classic has inspired all things queer across the board and to this day shadow plays are done weekly in its honor.


The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Cher, Michelle Pfieffer, and Susan Sarandon as witches with big perms and every level of the '80s best from padded power suits to body contouring gowns and muscle tees. Although I was born nine years later, I''m almost certain this film birthed me.


The Craft (1996)

Nancy Downs is one of the last century's biggest goth girl crushes and wow have her style choices stood the test of time. What I wouldn't give to steal her collection of chokers and ornate cross necklaces. Don't even get me started on the boots. Forget Regina George's clan, this is the clique I wanna be a part of.


Jennifer's Body (2009)

From the second the trailer dropped already ten years ago, I was sold. Megan Fox, I bow to you. You won. Hot popular girl becomes home for demon possession and gets eerily hotter because she's eating boys for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yeah, sign me up. Finding any semblance of that pink heart-patterned hoodie or fighting the urge to turn a white puffer jacket bloody for the sake of worshipping Queen Jennifer breaks my heart even in 2020.


Helter Skelter (2012)

This is my absolute favorite psychological horror film to date and it's also one of the most visually alluring to boot. Erika Sawajiri is captivating in picture-perfect lingerie and ball gowns, but all the more tantalizing masking bloody eyes with bejeweled eye patches and even stumbling in conveniently garment-like bandages post-surgery.


Death Becomes Her (1992)

Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn as rich women who drink a potion that makes them immortal and absolutely glamorous. If the collarbone and cleavage-baring dresses and hair envy weren't enough, Isabella Rossellini in couture collars and halter made entirely of beading with nothing underneath are nails in my coffin.


Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

Although the television series is preferred, the original silver screen Buffy was still a major babe with her cheerleading uniforms, crop tops, and one gorgeous ode to Swan Lake for her prom dress. Whoever started the trend of vampires in leather jackets deserves a peace prize too.


Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (2005)

Geumja getting out of prison and swiping on that red eyeshadow plus trading up her previous good-girl wardrobe for looks that kill is the femme fatale trope I live for. One of Park Chan-Wook's absolute best works.


Addams Family Values (1993)

Morticia Addams is shrine-worthy in terms of fashion in horror. She is a pioneer of elegance and goth velour. The mother of all cheekbones.


The Witches (1990)

Yes, Anjelica Huston gets not one but two entries on my list. Even as a grotesque creature the drip never ceases. Look at those rings over satin gloves. That amethyst cape. Can we bring back capes?


The Lost Boys (1987)

If men today took pointers from this film and incorporated the absolute serves these vamps pulled into their daily lives, the world might be a better place. Embroidered jackets over crop tops, oversize blazers, floor-length velvet coats, and beautifully coiffed hair? Yeah, we need this to make a huge comeback.


Scream (1996)

An entire Moschino collection was modeled after this film. What a classic. I need Rose McGowan's whole knit top and plaid skirt number in my closet this instant.


The Love Witch (2016)

Whatever Anna Biller concocted to take this film back 50 years was witchcraft itself. Elaine's like a fever dream as the lovestruck turned murderous witch donning immaculate cat eyes and a wardrobe full of heartbreaking attire.


Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

All hail the 15th-century and Victorian-era opulence. It's almost hard to watch without drooling over Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves being in a single frame together but once you pay attention it's just an aesthetically-pleasing overload. Personal fave is Gary Oldman out on the town when his eyes turn blood red underneath a top hat and those currently very trendy tiny sunglasses.


The Neon Demon (2016)

The Western answer to Japan's Helter Skelter may have been lackluster in its script, but delivered tenfold in both cinematography and an outstanding wardrobe and makeup turnout. Elle Fanning is the picture of innocence and those doe eyes are capable of deadly deceit.


In Fabric (2018)

The entire film centers around one seemingly demonic red dress that terrorizes anyone who wears it or even so much as comes into contact with it. It's truly stunning to watch as much as it is anxiety-inducing as each new victim brings the anticipation of whatever peril awaits them.


Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)

Laura Mars is a photographer who notoriously captures hypersexualized and violent images but one day finds herself seeing through the eyes of a serial killer. Most of the fashion stems from her shoots but it's so worth it, especially to see the way her perspective changes as the plot progresses.


Blood and Black Lace (1964)

The Italian neo-noir touch inspires a captivating visual experience and it's stylistically one of my favorites of the '60s. Set in a fashion salon in Rome, models are stalked and killed by a masked mystery man who looks an awful lot like Watchmen's Rorschach. 


Suspiria (2018)

Yes, the 1977 original is superior, but a great amount of the remake is extremely editorial and as absurdly creepy as Tilda Swinton in head-to-toe prosthetics is, I suffer through for the sake of art.


Jawbreaker (1999)

Although this is marked down as dark comedy, there's a murder and killer clothes so I don't really care to stick to rules. Rose McGowan in this and many of her other '90s films could definitely be categorized as a fashion icon with a myriad of pastel skirt sets, risque mini dresses, and the ability to turn any ordinary object into a runway accessory.

 

The story of how a punk rock songstress and hopeless romantic with the same first name come to meet and live together in Tokyo after a chance meeting on the train amassed a cult following since it's initial publishing as a manga in the early '00s on the pages of Japan's Cookie Magazine. Creator Ai Yazawa referenced Vivienne Westwood as the idol of main character Osaki Nana, and included a myriad of illustrations featuring both apparel and accessory designs existing in real life. This fell hand-in-hand with Osaki and her guitarist boyfriend Ren's obsession with British punk icons The Sex Pistols, devising a prettier version of the relationship between frontman Sid Vicious and his lover Nancy Spungen. During its run as a manga and anime before Yazawa's indefinite hiatus, the rocker Victorian-chic style took off. Vintage Westwood pieces like the Saturn logo lighter necklace and layered pearl chokers have become rare and highly coveted items by fans around the globe even today. 

Their spy catsuits alone are commendable, but can we talk about their unwavering ability to kill the game off-duty? Jerry must've kept them on the allowance of a lifetime because they kept the other high school kids on their toes! Crop tops, springtime shaded stockings year-round plus an unlimited supply of the cutest hair accessories = sign me up for spy privileges.

The age-old battle of Barbie versus Bratz can be settled right now. Without a doubt, the Bratz girls were ahead of the times when it came to long-standing trends and this screencap alone proves it. These girls would break off their own feet for fashion. And don't even get me started on the precision of their eyeshadow and lip liner.