Where do the cool girls shop? Part 2.

(Canvas tote with rope handles from A Détacher)

It turns out the ladies over at Erica Weiner read ESB, and when I put a call out for submissions to Where do the cool girls shop? this guide from Erica herself (jewelry maker/vintage shopper EXTRAORDINAIRE) quickly appeared in my inbox.

Erica was too modest to include her own stores in the guide, but, just FYIZ, you can shop her original designs and antique jewelry finds in Nolita + Boerum Hill + of course online.

Without further ado, here is E's (mostly) New York City-based installment of Where do the cool girls shop? (with a little London + Maine thrown in for good measure):

A Détacher—A place that's inspiring to be in, if maybe a little unaffordable.

Stock Vintage—Mostly for menswear, which I love.

Doyle & Doyle—Shout out to this Lower East Side shop where my hubby bought my engagement ring.

(Vintage patterned wedding band from Doyle & Doyle)

Rowan & Rowan—A London antique store with the craziest, oldest, creepiest and most beautiful antique jewelry in the world, all museum-quality.

Beads of Paradise—New agey organic stuff: pictures of Ganesh, flowy pants, overpriced face creams, and jewelry findings.

Goodwill in Camden, ME—Some of my best vintage and old LL Bean stuff comes from here.

Love, Adorned—Obvi.

9th Street Haberdashery—A miniscule shop in the East Village specializing in truly vintage clothes—stuff from the 20s, 30s, 40s. Guarded by a taxidermied dog.

Rachel Comey sample sale—Happens twice a year in a gymnasium on Mulberry and Prince; totally worth the wait/hype. All the girls at our studio have scored like crazy here.

Holler & Squall—The Atlantic Ave strip is filthy with top-notch antique/salvage furniture shops, but Holler & Squall is one of the best. 

Sharktooth—A former employee of the above store recently opened her own antique textile and rugs shop. Also fantastic.

(Erica Weiner's work on display at Malin Landaeus)

Malin Landaeus—I'd call this Williamsburg vintage store an institution at this point. The owner and I met years ago at Artists & Fleas, both hocking our wares, and now she sells our jewelry at her store. So much of my vintage comes from here.

If you're interested in writing a guide to shopping your city/eBay/your fave Goodwill, hit me up!

Another Sartorially Challenged Bride

Well, I'll keep it short and sweet since you seem to have a lot of these "help me" requests lately. My deal - I'm not too fashion savvy, and I want to look hot at my reception dinner. We are having a week long camping/wedding bash and yes, I read previous posts on the subject, and yes, we are providing alternatives for those who appreciate a roof over their heads. 

That said, the wedding will be in a group campground site, surrounded by redwoods, on the coast of California. To get to it one must walk maybe 1/4 of a mile down a lovely path, across a simple wooden bridge, and up through the redwood duff to get to the actual ceremony/reception area. We are very familiar with the site (we help run a summer camp that has a session there every summer) and recognize the logistical short-comings of the venue. For instance carrying all camping/food/booze/wedding supplies 1/4 mile in. That's cool though, I'm totally psyched about it and ready to get my hands dirty and work on my biceps that week. 

What I do, sincerely, need help with is wtf to wear Friday night for dinner. I have a wedding dress, I'll find shoes, I'm sure. But it gets cold at night. And I'm a wuss in the cold. And I'll end up sitting around a campfire at some point. And probably wearing an apron and cooking at some point. But I still want to look hot. At least earlier in the evening before I throw a fleece on. Also, we are doing this wedding on $5000. My dress was $200.  I can't see myself spending that for a non-wedding dress.

Could I wear this with black tights underneath and boots? Or maybe go this route? I'm 5'8", size 6, with big boobs. I lean towards earthy colors and no bling. I'm seriously at a loss. The event obviously isn't formal, but I still want to get prettied up a bit.

So, anyone out there have any ideas for a warm yet attractive alternative? Want to throw in an appropriate cape/jacket for my wedding dress as well? I know it's a lot to ask, and everyone has been working hard at helping all of us needy types a lot lately, but believe me, we NEED your help. Especially when you say "don't wear that. ever."

Thanks. really.

*****

I'm pretty sure you need a shirtdress. Possibly one that is camp-themed.

You're gonna sweat while you're prepping for dinner (sweater dress = NO) and either of these will look adorbs if you add tights later + throw a big ol cardigan over top.