In Chicago, during the fall, there are many great things to do.  There are pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and the weather is still just right.  Best of all, the final vintage shows of the season take place during October and November, and the sellers often save the best for last.  First up on Saturday morning was Modern Vintage Chicago, a Randolph Street Market event that is put on every spring and fall.  This show is unique in its penchant for designer garments and accessories, which is right up my alley.

Throughout my time as a vintage shopper, and now blogger, I have become friendly with many of the sellers, and it’s always nice to see familiar faces amidst all of the fashion.  I quickly realized that, fittingly for the upcoming frost, the theme this year was fur.  Almost every vendor had racks of jackets, coats, and wraps ranging from creamy white to jet-black.  I am no fur expert, but everything looked to be in amazing condition, and whatever your stance on fur, it is undoubtedly better to buy vintage than new.

Aside from fur, the selection at MVC was varied in its mixture of designers, eras, and accessories.  There were tons of purses and jewels on display, and seeing how each seller lays out their wares is half the fun.  Some simply lay it out on a table, some use racks, and others invest in mannequins.  No matter which way, it is obvious how seriously vintage is taken at a show like this, and you will never get the dreaded question “are you shopping for a costume party?” to which I always want to respond by walking out of the store.  I left with a brightly colored chevron sweater, perfect with jeans and boots to perk up those dreary winter days.

Next up was the Winnetka Antiques and Modernism Show.  Going to these shows on the same day really shows the variety within the vintage community itself.  While the Randolph Street Markets are always huge, busy, and somewhat unorganized due to the sheer amount of people touching and moving everything, the Winnetka show is pristine.  The show takes place at the Winnetka Community House and everything is displayed as it would be in a high-end department store, on black velvet holders in shiny glass cases.

The goods at Winnetka are also much more tailored to a specific clientele, and the show focuses mainly on designer jewelry and antiques.  Art, tableware, and furniture are all of a more traditional style rather than the mid-century modern flair that I tend to gravitate towards, but the show is wonderful to visit nonetheless.  The jewelry in particular was stunning, with everything from 1960s Pierre Cardin to 1970s Chanel, and the sellers were all exceedingly friendly.  My souvenir was a 1972 book titled “Drinking in Vogue,” so you undoubtedly have a post about vintage cocktails coming your way soon!