eBay Hunting

Scoring the 1990s accessories of your dreams is just a few bids away

Remember the early days of eBay? When Beanie Babies were going for $800 a pop and you could find truly valuable things for like $5? My once once got me a vintage Michael Jackson Thriller tee for my 10th birthday, on eBay, and I promptly bedazzled it and have since lost it to time.

I digress.

eBay still holds a special place in my heart and is still a treasure trove of vintage, if you just know how to digitally dig. In this issue, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite eBay finds — both fashion finds (for the ‘90s looks that’s been so big in recent years) and interiors stuff (just some pieces I love that are wildly expensive at high-end antiques shops but easy to find on eBay).

I’ve also created some outfits and vignettes utilizing the vintage finds so you can get an idea for how I’d style these pieces (which I think is often the most difficult part of shopping vintage—thinking of how something might look in the real world).

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But first:

The American Jewish Joint Distribution is helping to facilitate emergency support for people with disabilities and the elderly in Israel as they flee the combat zone in the wake of last week’s attacks by the terrorist organization Hamas. You can donate here.

Doctors Without Borders provides emergency medical care during humanitarian crises. It’s representatives say they are currently treating many children amid the counter-attack in Gaza. You can donate to that organization here.

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I will always harbor a deep love of 1980s and 90s black and white photography. Herb Ritts is well-known and ever since Architectural Digest featured Kourtney Kardashian’s home — and, in it, the famous Herb Ritts Batman photo — it’s harder to come by. But the work of Victor Skrebneski, the Chicago photographer who helped launch Cindy Crawford’s career, is easier to find. (Note that Skrebneski’s work goes for thousands on sites like Chairish and 1st Dibs but you can find it for far less if you’re willing to sift through eBay results). I love this Chicago Film Fest poster featuring Anna Nicole Smith but his vintage art books are also great for a coffee table.

Shown with: Marble catchall // Byredo candle // Coquette table lamp // Marble lips // Console table // French matches

I love a good wire bowl and this one — a French wire bowl for $20 — won’t break the bank. Place fruit in it (fake or real) and use it as you would a centerpiece.

Shown with: Dining table // Patterned tablecloth // Green glass candlestick // Rippled pink glass // Platter // Flower napkin rings

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Khaite makes the most incredible belts I’ve ever seen (THIS ONE IS INSANE). But who wants to spend $700+ on a belt? Not me. Fortunately, there’s a way to get the look — by shopping vintage Brighton. Remember Brighton? It was a big mall brand in the 90s and early 2000s and your aunt probably had a Brighton bag at some point. Their belts suddenly look very now, very Khaite, and are very inexpensive.

Shown with: Low-slung black jeans // Classic Hanes tee // Silver strand necklace // Asscher cut earrings // Smiley socks // Oversized blazer // Lip balm // Adidas Gazelles // Googly eyed tote bag

A lived-in leather jacket is the move this fall/winter and this one is exceptional. It’s giving Malene Birger, at a fraction of the price.

Shown with: My all-time favorite flared pants that feel like leggings and only cost $100 // Crew sweater // Black lug loafers // Asscher cut earrings // Lab-grown emerald ring that looks like it belonged to your great-great grandmother // Mini drawstring bag // Black mascara // Miracle balm

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…and I’ll leave you with this…