Great Labels in Menswear

Anyone who loves true vintage understands the charm of a great old label. Here is a sampling of what Newton Street Vintage has on offer:




See you at the Flea!

Dashing Tweeds of Uncommon Beauty

At the last Top Shelf Flea, we at Newton Street Vintage had quite a run on tweed (even though it was May) and this fall we have answered the call with a TON of tweed, from lightweight lambswool to heavy, Hebrides Harris. Here are a few highlights, but rest assured, there will be much more.

A soft lambswool tweed in a vibrant glen plaid. A good chance this may end up on my shoulders. Dig that windowpane:From Daks of London.

A beautiful Irish tweed in a large-scale houndstooth:
With lots of great color flecks:


And a great old label:

And lastly the cream of the crop, a windowpane heavy tweed sack with throat latch
From legendary (and recently relaunched) Ivy League clothier Norman Hilton

With luck, the weather will be cool enough at the October Flea for you to wear this stuff straight out of the market. Until then, stay tweedy, and we'll see you at the Flea!

History Is a Living Thing

Vendor James of Swamp Rabbit Books tells us why in no uncertain terms. Read his thoughts on the matter here.

A Top Shelf Veteran from the very beginning, he'll be back again with his usual stunning collection of reasons why Gutenberg was such a hero.

Posters!

Feel free to save this image and reblog it everywhere. Please.

The Roster

I am pleased to announce that as of this afternoon, the roster for TSFMIV is set. As usually we have an eclectic and exciting collection  of vendors, some returning and some newcomers, some represent shops and others are independent vendors. One thing they all have in common is a commitment to using their extensive picking skills to bring you high quality goods. There's no dirty work to do, 'cause they've already done it.

Artifaktori

Amy and her gals are TSFM veterans, and they'll be back for round four with their usual wide selection of funky vintage finds for the ladies, and maybe even a bit for the men.

Newton Street Vintage

Another four time vet, Zach is specialist in vintage menswear, with an excyclopaedic knowledge of tailoring to match. Gents are sharper just for having spoken with him.

Gypsy

Ruth is a flea market and vintage show pro. In this her second appearancde at TSFM, she brings her unique combination of ladies vintage and current designer clothes that proves how ell new and old can play together.

Vintage Haven

Deb is also making a second appearance with us after having sat the last one out, and we're glad to have her back. Something for everyone at her booth, and plenty for the nest as well.

Stormy Arthur

One half of the team known as J&A Outfitters from last time. Bike stuff, camping stuff, tools, rugged clothing, and maybe a girlie mag or two...you know, guy stuff, from when guys were really guys.

Raspberry Beret

Raspberry beret showed us all the way at the maiden voyage of TSFM, and she's back again for round four. Vintage and designer ladies clothing with a particular cool streak, for the girl who didn;t think she could wear vintage.

Swamp Rabbit Books

If you come to this event, and you're literate, then you owe it to yourself to visit James of Swamp Rabbit Books. From super rare collectibles of exquisite quality and great scarcity, to cool books you can just read on the train, there's something for everyone.

NimCo

So you thought you had some cool stuff in your kitchen and a hip decorating style? Well, maybe you do, but a visit with NimCo is a game changer. She'll help you discover a level of decorating skill you didn't know you had.

Glamourpuss Creations

We're pleased to have Lisa of Glamour Puss with us. This years only TSFM rookie, her collection of hand-crafted jewelry fashioned of all manner of recycled vintage materials  is a knock-out in both it's beauty and workmanship, all at prices that won't make you cry.

Bobby from Boston

Vintage menswear godfather Bobby from Boston has been a TSFM supporter since day one, and he's back again with his usual mind blowing collection of merchandise. Recently voted Best Vintage Store in America by Esquire magazine. What more is there to say?

An Affordable Wardrobe

As usual, your humble author and organizer of TSFM is honored to bring you a collection of classic menswear which hopefully makes you feel like you've visited a mini version of the place where your grandfather used to shop.

It's quite a group we have here, so come early and stay late. They're will be a lot to look at, and you don't want to miss a thing, trust me.

Wanted: Vinyl Monger

We have one spot remaining fat Top Shelf Flea Market IV for a record/music vendor, preferably a vinyl specialist. This would be the only record dealer spot at the event, so you'd have the market cornered. Interested parties may contact Giuseppe Timore at anaffordablewardrobe@yahoo.com for rates and information.

Post-Modernism

Just playing around with new ideas for flyers. More content based posting to come.

Mark Your Calendar

An Affordable Wardrobe

presents

the Fourth Semi-Annual

Top Shelf Flea Market

Sunday, 23 October 2011

Noon till 5 p.m.

George Dilboy V.F.W. Post 529

371 Summer Street Somerville, MA, 02144

Top Shelf Flea Re-Cap - C & G Style

So, the Top Shelf event was two days ago and I am STILL recovering! Thankfully I was able to sleep in until 9:00 or so Monday morning, and, since I set my alarm for 6:30 PM this morning instead of AM, I had a little unexpected extra sleep this morning as well! If you are wondering why - aside from chatting, packing and doing math for six event hours - I also turned everything in the pic below, into the pic above, then back again in the same day...whew!

I was very happy with my booth set-up this time. I actually took fewer items, and, stayed a bit more seasonally focused. This meant I brought no hats, but, a lot of super colorful bags and scarves, and pink cowboy boots! (Those sold in a flash to a very happy customer - thanks!)

As always, we had and sold a ton of jewelry, but, not my beloved red lamp! (My apologies again to the couple so interested in purchasing it!)

I really had fun displaying all my vintage swimsuits. I only sold one, but, was happy to make that one sale to a very happy young co-seller from Gypsy. Others were tried, but, no others went home for a new life...yet! these will all of course appear soon in my on-line shop. I think if the weather had not been so dang cold and dank we might all have sold some more summer wear.... But, enough about me, lets take a tour of the other sellers that day as well!

My event "neighbor" and partner in crime, the lovely Michelle from The Red Velvet Shoe always looks as polished as her impeccable goods!

My neighbor to the other side, Zach from Newton Street Vintage is equally as dapper and always has a crowd at his table! (see top photo once event was started, the portrait was pre-opening bell!)

Newcomers Fredricka had gorgeous antique wares, but, did not want their faces plastered all over the internet, so, I will respect that! (but look at their great stuff!)

Another newcomer, J A Outfitters, offered a table full of fab outdoorsy artifacts for the urban enthusiast!

Bobby from Boston always manages to make vintage look exceedingly elegant yet accessible! I was drooling over this vintage mailbag below:

I got to touch it, but, that was about as close as I was getting to ownership on this beauty!

The women from Artifaktori, in the same week they managed to open a new store on Beacon Hill, also displayed their always impressive selection of vintage goodies! Talk about tired! Oh, and I'm pretty sure they did Brimfield two weeks ago too...

The women of Gypsy are new to the Top Shelf, but, they are certainly not new to vintage lovers in New England! These gals love to "pop up" all over the place, I've seen them in Providence and Somerville at the Rock and Roll Yard Sales and I even hear they set up tent at one of my favorite summer venues, Todd Farm in Rowley!

The lovely Nimco joined us again with her to-die-for mid-century enamelware and more! (drool!)

The crowds were steady so I barely had time to snap this one pic of Swamp Rabbit Books providing assistance to some customers in choosing from their enticing selection.

Last but not least of course is our fearless leader Joe, from An Affordable Wardrobe. What more can I say? The picture captures it all. This guy's got it goin' on and no one can rock or hawk a pair of pink pants or white jeans like this guy!

If you stopped by - thanks! If you missed us this time around, bookmark the Top Shelf Flea Blog and watch our postings as our plan is to return each Spring and Fall...

Rare Books, Handmade Cards, and Vintage Pulp!

I'm very excited about the Top Shelf Flea tomorrow! I will have substantial new additions to the genres I've brought in the past: more cookbooks -- including a first American edition of Larousse's Gastronomique ($13) -- more art, and more children's books, among others. I'm adding some new categories, too, including a selection of collectible pulp 1970's erotica ($15 & up). Non-literature items at my booth will include authentic disbound illustrations from vintage books (small 50¢, large 75¢; suitable for framing or art projects), and incredible handmade greeting cards ($6), typed on an actual typewriter and screenprinted by brilliant local artist Mandy McCormick.

As before, I will have a number of one-of-a-kind items, including a signed first edition copy of Madame Lyon de Romaine's The Art of Cooking Omelettes ($559), recommended by Julia Child herself as the definitive guide, and the author's personal copy of Ideal Metrology in Nature, Art, Religion and History ($479) by Boston architect and theologian H.G. Wood.

For the budget reader, I'll have suitcases full of children's books ($1 and up) and another case of literary paperbacks.

Other big news: I can accept credit cards this round (with a minimum purchase of $10). Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, via Square!

A taste of what's waiting for you:

Art and poetry



Handmade cards and vintage erotica; the suitcases in the background contain goodies, too!

Feel free to stop by and browse; I love talking books with customers. See you there!

What To Wear To A Flea Market

Or, should I say, what to wear underneath what you wear to the Flea Market?

Or underneath anything....

Find it all here.