I should get paid for the number of hours I spend scrolling on Pinterest, cultivating my dream wardrobe into a digital board. But all I get is a reminder that I live in the era of boring beige and not blinged-out 2000s couture. Meaning, I have no money or access to the clothes of my dreams. That was until the Guad Vintage Market hit the Austin scene, becoming my go-to spot for every article of clothing I own.
Every Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m., vendors set up their tents filled with vintage, stylish, and high-value items all for us Austinites. And if that interests you, head over to 2932 Guadalupe Street to build a wardrobe you look forward to wearing.
HITTING THE JACKPOT
If I’m sitting in a plastic chair for eight hours of my day, I want to wear something comfy. But the matching sweat sets marketed today are not my style: a baggy sweatshirt with baggy sweatpants, sold separately, despite that they’re a “matching set.” And the brand logo is printed on the front in an obnoxiously optimistic font. Not to mention the price ranging from $60-100 dollars per piece. I’ll pass.
I want to be like Paris Hilton, comfy. I want to walk into school with a Juicy Couture track suit, with its soft velvet material and blinged-out logo. I’ve been craving to wear a 2000’s tracksuit for years and have never been able to find the pieces to squash this craving. That was until I hit the jackpot at the Guad Vintage Market. I found a velvety-black BCBG track suit, enhanced with its blinged detailing, sold together for $50 dollars. I swear angels descended when I picked up that hanger.
Walking into school that Monday, I had someone ask me where I got it from in every class. And of course, I told them where they needed to go if they wanted to have a 2000’s couture tracksuit of their own. And you can too.
As someone with a more alternative style and bright pink hair, finding dresses that suit me, my style, and convey my overall vibe is really hard. But of course, the market provides. Just the other week, I found a body-fitted black dress with detailed hot pink hibiscus flowers. And with my luck, which is good, it fits perfectly. And as my mother said, it looks like it was made for me. And everyone knows that when you find a dress that feels like it was made for you, that will be your dress for life.
The vintage market is filled with spring dresses, especially during this time of year. And I’m not talking about Easter dresses. I’m talking about slip satin dresses that drape on your body. The dresses with the eye-pleasing bright shades of orange, pink, and blue, paired with the embroidered flowers with bead detailing. Those dresses with the extra fabric at the ends that flow with the wind when you walk. I’m talking about the dresses that look like a mermaid was transformed into a dress. And if that interests you, you know where to go.
My previously mentioned items have been my favorite finds this year. But along with those items, I have found vintage ED Hardy T-shirts, metal band T-shirts from bands such as Tool and Three Days Grace, low-rise Y2K jeans, Italian charm bracelets, vintage Coach bags, and if I went on, you would stop reading.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO
If you haven’t made plans to visit the market by now, I’ll give you more reasons to. The effort made to make the shopping experience enjoyable at the market is not common for corporate brands. There’s a live DJ every week, playing beats that don’t overpower your intense conversations with friends. And most weekends, I have seen free water being provided, which I’ve never appreciated more. Living in Texas, shopping in an outside area is not optimal, and usually leaves you feeling uncomfortable, sweaty, hot, and irritated. But the market makes sure you have the best shopping experience regardless of the weather.
Recently, a vendor who sells matcha has been there almost every weekend, so not only are you getting a shopping trip, you’re getting a little sweet treat to fuel it.
The vendors are the most chill people in Austin. They do the hard part of thrifting for you. Deep diving into Goodwill bins to find the items you want, and then selling them to you for a reasonable price. Most vendors are even willing to give you discounts if you buy multiple items or knock off $5 if you’re short. I don’t know about you, but saving money is very appealing to me as a high school student who is beyond broke.
The main reason you should go to the market is for yourself. I hope you already know this, but you deserve to dress in a way that makes you feel confident. Style is a direct representation of your creativity and inner self. I’ve heard many people talk about how they would have their ideal style if they just had a little bit more money. But I’m here to give you the resource to let the outside of yourself accurately represent the inside.
MY TIPS AND TRICKS
If you made it this far, I’m assuming you’ve already scheduled a trip to the market with your friends. So, here are my tips. That Pinterest board that you have been curating is the key to a good thrift trip. Walking into the market can be very overwhelming if you’re walking in blind. I recommend that if you don’t already have one, build a Pinterest board of what you hope to find. You’re practically manifesting the pieces that you want. And if you don’t believe in manifesting, building a Pinterest board allows you to have an idea of what you want and the type of pieces that you’re looking for, so it’s easier to spot them in piles and piles of clothes.
And as I mentioned before, the Texas weather is no joke, so bringing your own water and a handheld fan will make your shopping experience that much better. There have been many times when I’ve forgotten these things and had to go inside the surrounding stores so I wouldn’t pass out from the heat. Don’t be like me, be smart and be prepared.
And lastly, for all my divas that are about to have their dream wardrobe, plan to spend more money than you think. Because you are gonna find all you want and more. And you have to make the decision: are you leaving the market disappointed and $20 or a broke baddie with their dream wardrobe? I personally chose the latter.
