This email will be too long to view in your browser — be sure to hit “expand” or read in the Substack app so you don’t miss out on anything!
Today’s newsletter is free, consider sharing it with someone you think might love it! Paid subscriptions support the time and care that go into creating magic in this little corner of the internet while also giving back to community-focused causes (and give you access to even more vintage and my entire archive!)
This month, a portion of paid subscriptions will go to Pal Humanity, a global initiative led by two Palestinian female doctors offering immediate relief and sustainable support to the people of Gaza.
I’ve decided to extend my annual subscription offer! Until September 26th, get 20% off an annual subscription (for one year). That’s $52 for the year (regularly $65), which breaks down to approximately $4.33 per month — less than the cost of a cup of coffee!!!
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your subscription, this is your chance!
If you make a purchase through a link, I might earn a small commission, which I appreciate as it helps fund this space ✨
I write this to you from bed, humbled by my daily medication, which I forgot to pack enough of on my trip back home to California and thus suffered the consequences. The headache to attempt to refill it states away another reminder that so much hangs by one teeny tiny fragile thread — everything is precious and tender, enormously stupid and terrifying. I am in a constant state of whispering to my brain that it’s okay to do dumb and happy things, like write to you about clothes and draw up fictitious storefronts for my non-existent “showroom.”
In the clusterfuck that is the modern world, Fashion Week is no longer a beacon of creativity (to me) that it once was. The lightning speed of moronic technology (AI is for losers, she says with her whole chest), the birth of the latter-day influencer, the Brandification of just about everything likely culprits. Don’t worry, this isn’t a think piece.
It mostly, well, it mostly just gives me raging Trash Panic. What once felt like cavernous, heart-pounding jealousy, to behold fellow industry friends attending dozens of glamorous parties and brand events, now gives me a certain kind “how much of that ended up in a dumpster?” kind of icky forehead sweat. I love flamboyant fanfare, congenial camaraderie, and the general celebration of the art and craft that is CLOTHES, but I yearn for a disruptor that shifts the future of what it could be — more inclusive (but also a hair exclusive), more cyclical, more sensible but also more gutsy and RIDICULOUS. I want smaller, hand crafted, foraged, messy yet opulent, sophisticated yet unfussy. Mediocrity is thriving, the loudest voices at the front of the pack are tired, everything feels like a copy-of-a-copy-of-a-shock-factor-of-a-media-blitz that never ends.
I’m bored.
While vintage and cyclical fashion has crept its way into Fashion Week with each passing year, the minority of it feels truly inspiring, the majority of it feels not-quite-right bordering on cringey Project Runway challenge. I celebrate progress, but I want more!! I expect more!! that doesn’t feel like clickbait for the sake of soon-to-be-forgotten virality. (earth to The Real Real, you’re fumbling the ball…)
I like to believe that by small and simple things great things come to pass, building community and conversation at the pitch of a whisper can lead to genuine transformation, personal empowerment — change! (This Trash Head community my textbook example.) If I had endless dollar bills in my possession, you best believe I would be roaming the streets of New York Fashion Week, beckoning you to join me in celebrating the art and craft of CLOTHES with an attitude that they needn’t have a timestamp, a fancy label, or scream trend. Constant new new new consumption does not bring salvation!
So let me welcome you into my imaginary New York storefront, where I envision hosting many jubilant affairs and raucous shindigs showcasing weird, wacky, whimsical vintage and secondhand while serving you a perfectly chilled Miller High Life and lighting up a Camel Crush while we chatted up all things old, lived-in, strangely absurd and perfectly imperfect.
Step inside, won’t you?
THE STOREFRONT
I imagine if I ever did venture into a physical space, it would be fairly unassuming on the outside — old, perfectly imperfect, crawling with character— the kind of space you can roll a marble on the century old hardwood floor, unsure of where it will travel.
Copper details. wonky, colorful stained glass. old, weathered wood. billowing, voluptuous curtains.
I oscillate between wanting to keep what lurks behind the glass an intriguing, imaginative mystery vs. letting my inner Anthropologie window coordinator creep out, frantic to papier-mâché whimsical creatures and fashion fictional worlds that complement the clothes displayed in a dreamy, harmonious manner, luring you in to find a treasure that’s just for you, rotating the vibes when the spirit moves me.
THE VIBES
If you’re a seasoned Trash Head, you know I regularly vacillate between vibes, relating heavily to this meme. The thought of truly manifesting a shoppy shop gives me raging anxiety only because I find it much easier to pick the flavor of the week, than to settle with the taste of permanence. There’s a reason I have yet to pick wallpaper and paint colors for 75% of our home — I love too many things, too many vibes. There’s a space for everything, surely?
I started moodboarding this on my flight to California, pulling images I loved and seeing where I ended up. There’s a million and one ways this could have gone, color and texture wise, but at it’s core, it’s definitely ME — sophisticated yet approachable, whimsical yet a little provocative, lavish but imperfect.
vintage textiles, wrought iron fixtures, worn-in wood.
plush carpeting, cozy patterned chairs, organic colorful tile.
pops of silver, sumptuous silk ribbon, textured, age-old paintings.
glassine packaging, diy’ed ephemera, a miller high life pony while you wander.
The soundtrack is of key importance, shifting with the mood — there would be records on rotation, guest DJs that curate based on aura and vibration, no one genre the focus, no one genre left behind.
But today, we’ll start here while you shop, with my forever favorite, Billie.
THE LOOKS
Look around, stay awhile.
(There’s a sprinkling of “new” in here, mostly for illustrative purposes — because we all like a fresh, new thing once in awhile!)
This look is very current runway Celine with a hint of Trash Panic vintage coattail wackiness, which I own and wear more often than you would think…
black tuxedo tails (see measurements, $69.95, purchase on eBay)
anne fontaine white textured blouse (fem xs, $100, purchase on eBay)
black balloon trousers — not going to lie, completely lost the link to these and mildly lost my mind to hunt them down, but fear not! i think a fun pant like these khaite ones, tucked into a boxer boot, fun! volume, baby!
miista lace up boxer boots (new, various sizing, important: tariffs covered by miista!)
i own these! i love them! i wear them with everything!saint laurent sunglasses ($255)
butterscotch lucite ring (size 7, $25, purchase on eBay)
white enamel gemstone ring (size 5, $52, purchase on eBay)
carved flower lucite ring (size 6.5, $16, purchase on eBay)
she’s gorgvintage salvatore ferragamo purse ($388.01, purchase on eBay)
The pattern on pattern limit does not exist for me.
vintage mink brown fur stole ($90, purchase on eBay)
faux fur leopard swing coat (vintage fem l, $80.99, purchase on eBay)
sterling silver venus earrings ($89, purchase on eBay)
balmain flaired polka dot pants (fem m, $191.25)
obsessed (polka dots are forever, by the way)black coach caroline madison purse ($220, purchase on eBay)
i’m really coming around to all things coach? this shape is a delightblack valentino oxfords (fem 6, $287.50)
isabel marant long coat (fem xl, $137.50)
war is stupid shirt (see measurements, $174.99, purchase on eBay)
the back says “but i’m not”frame striped silk pants (fem 6, $55.99, purchase on eBay)
prada studded belt (fem s, $210)
tiffany and co cosmetic bag ($87)
is it technically a cosmetic bag? yes. does that matter? no.
it’s a great running out the door to dinner bag (if you ask me)mansur gavriel silver kiki pumps (new, various sizing, $695)
i’ve really been digging the silhouettes and color palette coming from mansur these are cool and literally will never feel dated or tired (if you ask me)
red ultrasuede leather jacket (see measurements, $78, purchase on eBay)
1940s crazy quilt jacket (see measurements, $385 on sale, purchase on eBay)
someone! buy her!prada cotton turtleneck (fem s, $310.25)
miu miu sunglasses ($365)
louis vuitton vintage ellipse purse ($396)
my fav lv silhouette and this one is so loved and worn with more life to live1930s art deco watch ($450, purchase on eBay)
this is in pretty incredible condition for its age and fully functioning, a great intro before getting deep into the vintage watch game
i encourage you to look outside of cartier for vintage time pieces!cherry red doc martens platform oxfords (new, various unisex sizing, $180)
a version of these went on sale last winter and i hmm’ed and hah’ed over them until it was too late — and that’s when i realized how much i wanted them… will not be making that mistake again
etro scarf ($245)
the limited drawstring leather jacket (fem m, $25.99, purchase on eBay)
price good, jacket goodblack punk shirt (see measurements, $15, purchase on eBay)
this is a repro of the shirt debbie harry wore and this price is a delightcitizen of humanity high rise straight leg jeans (new, various sizing, $248)
i have really big calves and straight leg jeans that are truly flattering are hard to come bymansur gavriel ballerina flats (new, various sizing, $495)
never in my adult life did i think i would like a kitten heel but here we arevintage snakeskin purse ($65, purchase on eBay)
if you don’t….i will….red leather cartier watch ($2045)
(i wasn’t hating on cartier, obvi)this gal has lived a LIFE but her heart is still beating! give her a new chapter of travel and adventure
simone rocha coat (fem m, $1275)
THIS. IS. ON. MY. HOLY. GRAIL. LIST 😩 but sadly not in the budget right now90s thermal shirt (masc m, see measurements, $38.21, purchase on eBay) (or for a punch of color, this lavender cashmere?)
sterling silver cz stud earrings ($23.99, purchase on eBay)
leset stirrup leggings (new, various sizes, $200)
maybe it’s the very vivid memory of my mom wearing these when i was a kid, but i’ve been deep on the hunt for the perfect pair of stirrup leggingstory burch peep toe flats (new, various sizes, $375)
love a weird take on a classic and these are perfectly patent with a perfectly weird peep toehand painted chloe purse ($1350, purchase on eBay)
okay so this is painted to look like this which is weird…but i’m very into it???? and hey, one-of-a-kind
prada sunglasses ($217.50)
good weirdisabel marant wool blazer coat (fem m, $380)
sterling silver orchid brooch ($75, purchase on eBay)
many of these floating around in various price points, would highly recommend a “sterling silver flower brooch” deep dive on eBay…levi’s wide leg baggy overalls (new, various sizing, $128)
yes, yes there are so many vintage options, but i love knowing the leg is wide and baggy in just the right way/appreciate they are 100% cotton with no stretchjil sander mandarin collar shirt (fem xs, $69.75)
the mandarin collar with an overall - luxurious!piano shawl opera scarf ($179.99, purchase on eBay)
for anything piano shawl related, the price is fantastic and there’s a million ways to incorporate this into your wardrobevintage snakeskin dome purse ($124, purchase on eBay)
tuk leopard creepers (new, various unisex sizing, $120)
creepers are a staple in my wardrobe, i have at least 4 pairs and there are infinite ways to make them feel cool without falling too deep in the “campy punk uniform” niche
vintage armani wool coat (see measurements, $75, purchase on eBay)
sterling silver modernist fringe brooch ($39, purchase on eBay)
dead kennedys fuck nazis shirt (masc l, $210, purchase on eBay)
because, obviouslysterling silver poodle earrings ($48.99, purchase on eBay)
poodle earrings!!!vintage fur snap shut purse ($33.99, purchase on eBay)
price good, bag very coolemilia wickstead yellow skirt (fem xl, $483.75)
simone rocha stitched oxfords (fem 10, $485)
art deco silk embroidered piano shawl coat ($367.50 on sale, purchase on eBay)
this has been in my cart for two weeks and i can’t believe i’m sharing it with youcotton night gown (fem m/l, $24, purchase on eBay)
art deco marcasite earrings ($50, purchase on eBay)
1940s lord elgin watch ($375, purchase on eBay)
insanely good condition, very cool strap, killer priceby far patent slide heels (new, various sizes, $334 on sale)
ngl, i have no good excuse for these and they are likely a dumb purchase but they’re sexy and FUN without breaking your anklevintage pony hair zebra prada purse ($999, purchase on eBay)
under $1k for great condition pony hair prada
I need the doubters to know that yes, I would 100% wear this in public with zero hesitation
anne fontaine black velvet jacket (fem 2, $67, purchase on eBay)
handmade clown costume (made to order! $181+)
everyone needs a classic clown costume, i don’t make the rules — and this one comes with color options!gucci green sequin skull cap ($206.50)
yes yes yesvintage beaded walborg evening purse ($50, purchase on eBay)
miu miu gold sequin kitten heels (fem 8, $316)
Let me live vicariously through you with this look.
black sequin and beaded cape ($24.99, purchase on eBay)
khaite bra top (fem m, $292)
freshwater pearl cluster silver bracelet ($19.99, purchase on eBay)
this seems like a fun workhorse jewelry piece — good for dressing up/layering/every seasonwhiting and davis chainmail mesh purse ($168, purchase on eBay)
anne fontaine ruffled capri pants (fem 12, $65, purchase on eBay)
there are capri pants and then there are capri pants — these are the latter, obviouslystuart weitzman rio thong slide heels (new, various sizing, $395)
the first luxury shoe i ever scored thrifting was a pair of stus — i still have them 12 years, two cobbler trips later
alexis bittar gold leaf earrings (new, $195)
i love the organic, fun shape of thesealberta ferretti black silk gown (fem 8, $850.50)
you could maybe track something vintage down in this art deco slinky silk bias cut way, but damn, this is a beautvintage ysl bakelite belt ($495, purchase on eBay) (honorary mention to this one and this one for good price points)
rafael sanchez tassel evening purse ($49.99!!, purchase on eBay)
bottega veneta gold stretch heels (fem 7, $524)
Well, there you have it.
Next week’s Dump will be for paid subscribers only (a rarity, but an overdue thank you!) and will be a continuation of finds you would likely discover in my imaginary storefront, including home goods.
As always, let me know if something isn’t linked correctly. Ignore my typos, I’ve re-read this too many times…
Thank you so much for being here — love you, mean it.
Until next time,
xo,
G
i would blow SOOOO much money at the trash panic showroom
Would you believe that I was feeling extra angsty this month (because, obviously) and thought I'd feel empowered by finding a DK/NPFO shirt from my youth, couldn't find an original under $500 and then you posted this one, which my 90s punk teen self purchased and will be getting any day now?