Sunday, June 21, 2009

A Hat And A Tee From The Flea Market

Twice a month, a flea market takes place on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica. Some sellers offer superb items - one of them, an old Japanese man, brings back ancient kimonos, obis and fabrics from Japan.

I had been wanting to add a summer straw hat to my collection for some time, and I instantly fell for this exquisite, 1920's-like hat, with its wide satin ribbon and its smart asymetry - somehow it reminds me of the hats Meryl Streep wore in Out Of Africa. It happens to be a vintage Armani, which I snatched for $20.

I also bought a red tee that pays tribute to my dear, dear Billie Holiday... Her broken voice, with its textured emotions, has always haunted me. I strongly recommend one of her lesser known albums, Songs For Distingué Lovers, which features such classics as Stars Fell on Alabama and a song I adore, I Didn't Know What Time It Was.

34 comments:

Laura in Paris said...

That hat looks perfect: smooth, and balanced. And it looks great on you!

Unknown said...

I love the hat and the red tee,great finds!!!!!

Beth said...

Amazing finds! I should shop more often at flea markets since I HATE the malls.
And most of my clothes are vintage, anyway... ;)

Deidra said...

Lucky you! What great finds. I love them both. Billie Holiday is one of my heroes!

Anonymous said...

ooo boum! great finds indeed!!!
nancyxx

sealaura said...

you lucky girl, you always seem to snatch up the best deals and steals. I love flea markets and yard sales, especially on the west side where it is not surprising to run into some gems from the film industry or some other vintage goodies.

Miss Cavendish said...

I love that hat!

Rebecca said...

That hat is just adorable!

Marci said...

El sombrero es una preciosidad.Parece que te quedan especialmente bien,como el negro de la derecha...

d. moll, l.ac. said...

I remember hearing Strange Fruit when I was 14 or so, as mind blowing as seeing James Brown on TV for the first time.....

Mary-Laure said...

BETH - yes, I am not a fan of malls either. Flea markets are more fun.

DEIDRA - me too. She had such a tough life, and her art was so sublime.

SEALAURA - it's true that it's pretty easy to find some good stuff around the West Side! I love rummaging for the nicer things.

MARCI - siempre me dicen que tengo una "cabeza para sombreros"...

D. MOLL - Strange Fruit is a haunting song indeed. Always a shock to hear it again.

Jo said...

i am totally in love with your hat!! i want want just like that!!! :)

and the tee is awesome!!

{Tara} said...

Such a sweet, sweet hat -- very 20's! I'm loving straw hats right now!

Bri said...

That is a fabulous hat. And I would just love to stop by that old japanese man's booth - i bet there's lots of great finds there!

Mary-Laure said...

TARA - the 1920's are my favorite era when it comes to fashion...

BRI - he has the most beautiful fabrics and some stunning obis. But it's all pretty expensive. His kimonos are about $100...

Annie said...

I love hats! And that is one gorgeous hat. The T-shirt is beyond cool.

Anonymous said...

Oh your whole blog is very lovely... and I especially like that hat. It will be great for a perfect sunny day. Is Mary-Laure your actual name? It's very beautiful. I'm going to add your link to my blog 'cause it's nice to look at. ^_^

- Charlotte. =].

Mary-Laure said...

CHARLOTTE - thanks for your sweet words - I was equally delighted to discover your blog.
My name is actually spelled Marie-Laure, and it's a classic, if not very common French name. I like spelling it Mary-Laure, as I find it reflects my international identity more accurately - I am half French and half American, with Uruguayan grandparents.

Gabbi said...

Amazing finds! That hat looks perfect for summer and I love Billie. Her voice was the soundtrack to my early 20's, her and Shirley Horn. It was when I first discovered Jazz... :)

pve design said...

When Billie sings, I feel in the holiday mode....
Love the hat. Do you know about Creative Thursday...you would love the e-course....
ciao bella,
pve

Anonymous said...

great Tee! flea markets are sometimes so inspiring and full of great treasures :D

Anonymous said...

Love them both!

Anna said...

Love the hat! Great find :)

blue moss said...

lovely new hat!!

amuse me said...

Love the hat -- I've always wished that I would look nice in a hat. Maybe I just never found the right one! Thanks, by the way, for stopping by to comment on the Obama fly swatting video. I also feel strongly that animal rights are just as important as ours. Guess we just have to keep speaking up for them. :) M

DaisyChain said...

fantastic finds, I love the hat.

natsumi said...

Oh, this vintage hat is so elegant and beautiful! and you also found a cool t shirt too! what great finds!

Mary-Laure said...

GABBI - I listened to her a LOT too in my 20's. I wonder what your favorite Billie albums are?

PVE - no I don't know about Creative Thursday, I'll look it up.

AMUSE ME - I'm really happy that we feel the same about this... It's an issue that's very dear to my heart.

Kwana said...

Both show such style. Love them

Spangler Cummings said...

Catch "The Brothers Bloom" when you get a chance. The female lead wears a bowler just like yours and looks just like you in it! (The bowler is from an earlier post, know you must still have it).

Mary-Laure said...

SPANGLERS - thanks for the suggestion! Yes, I MOST definitely still have my bowler hat. It's at my mum's place in Paris but I plan on bringing it to LA some time.

marie said...

i love your new hat! nice find :)

Chara Michele said...

Love that hat! So pretty!

Roxana said...

i absolutely love the hat picture, it has a veiled and soft beauty, such mystery...