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Going Undercover at the Flea Market

Style has the power to transform your confidence. Working from the outside in, women can boost their confidence by hitting their style sweet spot.Ā Pam Lutrell and I began this new series to help and inspire those women who are struggling with their appearance.Your style sweet spot is when you feel confident about your appearance and know you are sending the message you want people to see. This week we are going to the flea market.

I love going to flea markets. The people watching is almost as much fun as the treasure hunting. When I go to the flea market I dress down. I wear very little jewelry and dress for comfort. This is the only time you’ll find me wearing athletic shoes outside a gym or walking my dog. The day usually turns into a marathon event because I know some of the best deals are found later in the day. That’s when venders usuallyĀ deal on price because they’d rather sell it, than drag it home. I’ve gotten some of my best deals at the crack of dawn and the end of the day.

These are my Flea Market essentials to hit my style sweet spot.

A hat. Wide brimmed in the summer, and wool in the winter.Ā I try to arrive by 5 am so don’t do much with my hair and makeup. Hat, sunglasses and lipstick goes a long way to hide that.

A day at the flea market requires casual wear, but not sloppy.

 

A lightweight tote bag to carry small treasures. I bought this collapsible one lastĀ summer for our trip to the Baltic. It goes on my shoulder which leaves my hands free to rummage for goodies.

 

A light weight collapsible tote bag that goes over my sholder keeps my hands free.
Large Le Pliage Tote by Longchamp

 

I don’t wear much jewelry because I want to be able to wheel and deal on price. Wearing flashy jewelry sort of defeats that purpose.

 

I scored this ancient French TrumeauĀ at the flea market in San Francisco, several years ago. I’m pretty sure the seller had no idea of the treasure he was selling. I got it for a song. It’s put together with square nails.Ā I adore the little oil painting of the cherubs at the top.

I’d made him an offer early in the day, but he accepted it many hours later when it was time to pack up.

Dressing down doesn't mean sloppy, but it does enable you to haggle over prices at the Flea Market.

So this is how I dress down for the flea market. Casual but not sloppy.

 

Pop over to see how Pam hit her style sweet spot for shopping at the flea market.

19 Comments

  1. Loved this you look so cute. Let’s go undercover together sometime to the flea market! x Kim

  2. I love shopping at flea markets, estate sales and antique stores. The mirror is awesome. And you don’t need to be undercover. I brag about my finds–and some of them come from TJ Max.

    1. It’s so fun to get a bargain. I love the haggling process. TJ Max has some great treasures. Marshals too. You just have to dig.

    1. Perfect way to fix a bad hair day:))

    1. It’s one of my favorite scores!

  3. I’m counting the weeks until the Antique Weekend in Texas. It’s held in the fall and spring, with more than 2,000 dealers under tents on someone’s farm. Haven’t been in a long time, but am researching the dealers I want to target. xoxox, Brenda

    1. A focused strike!! Great idea Brenda. That’s a huge one! I’d love to go sometime.
      Xx

  4. Love the hat – great way to look chic without little fuss! (And of course, red lipstick!)

    1. It’s a wickedly effective camouflage šŸ™‚

  5. Such a great jacket…you look much better than I do at the flea market…I need to re-think next time I go out.

    1. You look great Pam! I’m hiding behind a hat and dark sunglasses.

  6. Hi Jen! This is such a fun post and I had no idea flea markets opened so early!! No wonder I miss all the good finds when I used to go in Roseville with my cousins — we always went around noon hehe. I couldn’t agree more that going at 5 am means no time for hair and makeup and red lipstick and dark shades are my favorite trick too to look put together in just a few minutes. I love your hat too and that cherub antique is so cool! Good tips too

    Happy new year to you and A Well Styled Life. šŸ™‚
    xoDale

    1. Thanks Dale!! Happy New year to you and your newest angel. She’s just precious. I’ve gone at noon too, it always feels like a bust.

  7. What a fun topic this week! I just thought earlier today that I have to check out some flea markets again!

    The blue looks great on you! Great tote, too!

    1. They’re so fun Andrea. Some days they seem loaded with treasures. Others not so much. Thanks. I love all blues.

  8. Ok. I don’t think you are undercover at all! You look like you OWN the flea market. Only in Paris or something. Just sayin’.

    1. Too funny Carol. Thank you!

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