Since we're so starved for sun a majority of the year in Chicago, our summers are always packed with street fests, outdoor music concerts, garage sales and my favorite, flea markets! I've been so busy enjoying the warm temperatures and sunshine that sadly the blog has been neglected. Right now I'm working through a backlog of photos including the outfit pictures that Luis of ChiCity Trends took of me at last week's Randolph Street Market. Thank you for all the feedback on the overview post I did of the market, it was difficult to leave some of those items behind!Those of you who follow designer trends in the contemporary fashion world have likely heard of Prada's S/S 2011 banana earrings done in honor of 1920s risque dancer Josephine Baker (who made the banana skirt famous). Surprisingly I found my 1960s glass banana earrings at an Evanston indoor flea market/rummage sale a few months before Prada debuted their line. It's funny how my vintage finds often coordinate with what's going on in high fashion!
Prada's version of the banana earrings (they're made of plastic) and a pair also inspired by Josephine Baker. Image from Fashion Bomb Daily.
OUTFIT DETAILS:1970s Chevron Dress: Popkiller Second, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles1970s Floppy black straw hat: Downtown millinery shop in Los Angeles1970s Leather Saddlebag: Buffalo Exchange, Chicago1980s (?) leather belt: Brown Elephant, Chicago1960s banana earrings: Evanston flea market1950s ROTC Medal: Rosemont Flea Market, ChicagoGAP jean jacket: Good Will Thrift Store, Madison, WisconsinEspadrille Wedges: Shoe Village of Liliw, Philippines
Despite my adoration of vintage jewelry I usually steer clear of bracelets-- this summer, however, I can't get enough of bangles. I found this set of 3 wooden bangles at a local thrift store and my 1920s onyx and gold ring was found at a Wicker Park flea market 2 years ago.
A close up of the banana earrings. Yes, they definitely remind me of Andy Warhol's silkscreen images every time I wear them.
One of the many unusual items I came across at the Randolph Street Market was this armadillo purse. Jenny of Hummingbird Girls owns a very similar bag.
Left to right: Luis of ChiCity Trends, Veronika of Tick Tock Vintage, Tieka of Selective Potential and me. Photo by Andrea of Blonde Bedhead.I was lucky to be roaming the Randolph Street Market with three lovely bloggers. You can see the photos they took and their point of view on our adventures here: Veronika's roundup at Tick Tock Vintage, Luis at ChiCity Trends and Tieka at Selective Potential.
Left to right: Me, Andrea of Blonde Bedhead, Veronika of Tick Tock Vintage and Tieka of Selective Potential. Photo by Luis of ChiCity Trends.Here is a full length photo of our outfits taken inside during the blogger mimosa brunch sponsored by Randolph Street Market. Thank you Luis for the wonderful photos and to Randolph for hosting us.