For the second time running, I am proud to announce that The Top Shelf Flea Market was a roaring success! A good time was had by one and all, and I think I speak for all of the vendors in expressing my deepest gratitude to all the wonderful folks who came to see us and purchase our wares. If you were among the many folks who came a bought something, enjoy your new vintage goodies with my blessing.
As busy as I was, I didn't get to snap that many photos, but I did get a few:
The calm before the storm: my little shop just moments before we opened. The green doeskin blazer is defininitely a new favorite. (photo by James of 10engines). Twenty minutes later, all these damn customers showed up and proceeded to wreck the place. Savages...
I'm pleased to say it was the same story all around the room...Two dudes I can't thank enough: James Fox of the great blog 10engines (left), who helped me handle the hoards of ravenous well dressed gents. His signaure "hi/lo" style was in full effect in this combination of vintage thick-as-your-thumb Harris tweed, multi colored tattersall shirt with French cuffs, camoflage bow tie, heavy duty Carhart work pants and old longwings. My kid brother Nick (right) may be a casual fellow, but damned if doesn't shine a pair of brogues to a high gloss shine worthy of the military. Old school.Further help was provided by this dashing young gent, my son. He'd been talking about having his uncle shine his shoes every day for three weeks, so after getting the polish on his Weejuns, he decided to stay and help out the old man by drinking ginger ale and planting himself firmly in a strategic spot where he could protect the record player from getting jostled.
My officeHours into it, i can be seen here gesticulating wildly, no doubt pontifiacting about some arcane and downright inconsequential sartorial detail to this kind young fellow Mariano, who listens complacently in a check tweed jacket with suede elbow patches, leather gloves in the breast pocket, brown paddock boots, a boiled wool vest and a loden green alpine hat. Indeed, the last person I need to preach to. (photo by N'East Style)I'll be kicking myself for years for not snapping up this vintage wool Red Sox penant from Vintage Haven at the booth next door. Damn it!Later that night, spent and exhausted, with a few extra bucks in my pocket, sushi take out and a short bottle of Jean Vesselle Brut Reserve Champagne really hit the spot.I really can't thank the vendors and customers enough. Top Shelf Flea Market is a labor of love for me, and it's really gartifying to see so many people having such a good time. I love meeting and talking to interesting folks, and for me that's the highlight of an event like this. I can't wait for round three in the coming Spring.
We here in the somewhat insular community that is menswear blogging often lament the downward spiral of decorum and style in modern society, and it can be easy to wallow in that. But I have never seen so many polite and stylish people in one room ever. If the number of guys I talked to on Sunday in Barbour jackets, bow ties, tweed, brogues and tartan is any indication, there may be hope yet for the future.
In closing, if any of you have pictures of Top Shelf II you'd like to share, I'd love to see them. Feel free to email me at
anaffordablewardrobe@yahoo.com.
Thank you all,
Giuseppe
