By Jasmin Rodriguez
New York has been hugely affected by the Recession, but that doesn’t mean, we shopaholic’s have to undergo another great depression. My name is Jasmin Rodriguez, also known as Vintage Vandalizm. People know me by my sense of style and all of the amazing things I find in vintage/consignment shops that I get for no little less than pennies. I strongly believe that fashion should never be too expensive, and that any look can come to life with just a little bit of determination and a little bit of your time.
The Recession hardly affected me, I spend a lot of time in vintage stores where prices are cheap, and the apparel is almost always a rarity. I like having my own style along with my own comfortable price point and I want to show everyone how they can too.
The other day I invited Adrian Farquharson, Editor in Chief of Limité Magazine to join me as I went through some of my favorite vintage shops in Brooklyn. I must say, hands down, that Buffalo Exchange is one of my favorite stores. The reason why I love Buffalo Exchange is when I don’t have money to spend, I can count on old clothing I want to dispose of, do a trade, and get enough store credit to shop. So you don’t have to have money to shop there, all you have to do is clean out some of your old wardrobe you wont use and they will either give you a certain percentage in cash, or 50% in credit to use at any of there locations.
Refraining to spend money, I can never help myself whenever I shop at Buffalo Exchange, Here are some Items I found interesting and purchased. This little Red riding hood poncho caught my eye with its radiant color and details for $24.
Buffalo Exchange has the most extensive eclectic shoe rack ever! I’m almost certain you will find at least one pair that you will love. I know I always find a few…
Like these Gingham pumps are adorable at $23.50, not bad before a Rockabilly weekender!
This dress is from Tibi. Tibi’s dresses run from $160-600, I got lucky and found this one for $35.
This is a cute fall dress coat, I forgot the name of it but the price was pretty reasonable at $15.
Who doesn’t love high waist short skirts? This is from H&M at $12.
The Comme Des Garcons collection was a huge hit at H&M last year, for a long time you couldn’t find anything from CDG at H&M because of how fast it was sold out. I guess I got lucky when I snagged this button down for $18.
You can find amazing vintage pieces at BE too, I usually like to buy vintage dresses that I can alter like this one for $10.
I love sweater dresses, it was only right that I purchase this one because it has every detail I love, pleather trims, metal spikes, and a pencil skirt fit. TRIP $15.
There’s a new shop on N. 10th Street now called Peach Frog, I didn’t think anything of it until I went in. I totally underestimated this place because now I go there all the time and I find amazing pieces. If you love Betsey Johnson but don’t want to spend $300+ on dresses, this is definitely the place to be. You can find BJ dresses for as little as $50 bucks along with other designers like Alice and Olivia, Killuh, and Miss Sixty.
Finding BJ dresses for this cheap is always good, especially because I used to work for Betsey Johnson. Peach Frog also sells Betsey under garments like bra’s and lingerie as well. Now I can still enjoy Betsey’s wonderful dresses and more at amazing prices!
My mission at Peach Frog this visit was to try on some of there Alice and Olivia pieces, like this dress, blazer, and patent leather pants. This dress had the original tags on it listed $325, Peach Frog sold it for $45.
This Blazer and patent leather pants combo cost me $60 all together so I basically got both pieces for $30 each. The tux blazer had the original price of $425 and the pants tagged at $225. It always makes me happy to find a bargain! I paired the 3 items I purchased that day together, and I had an outfit for an event I had the next day!
Miss Sixty accessories at $5!
This is just proof that you don’t have to spend a lot to look or be fashionable. You can spend a little and still save a lot and go home with a smile on your face. This Recession doesn’t have to be the end of you’re shopping days, but the start of a new adventurous one where fashion and bargains go hand in hand.
Here are the best shops in Brooklyn for bargains.
Buffalo Exchange
504 Driggs Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 384-6901
Peach Frog
136 N. 10th St.
Between Bedford St. and Berry St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Beacons Closet
88 N. 11th St.
Brooklyn, NY11211
(718) 486-0816
Flores Antique Clothing
529 Grand St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 387-3369
