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This was my gateway drug eBay search. I have zero affiliation to Bear Stearns, but when it crashed in 2008 I became fixated on finding relics from the firm. They were like fossils of financial ruin—these unique, quite sad, souvenirs of American life. Unfortunately over the years people have realized that these things are collectible and so there's a lot of tacky Zazzle-quality fakes on eBay now. But some gems are still out there.
Jun 10, 2021
Related Recs
From the thrill of discovery, making bids, the buzz of a score or anguish of a could-have-been, a random box showing up that has been packed by some dude in Minnesota… I love it. The best way to shop is either setting a hyper-specific alert for something and finding it five years from now or by typing in all the potential typos it could have, or either searching for a vague combinations of names and details and seeing what comes up. Embellished pearl sweaters? Art deco servewear? Plastic organizers? There’s probably also something good about reuse and sustainability here too. The only thing I don’t love is that my saved searches and watchlist are full so I have to keep deleting and replacing, but never change, eBay.
Jan 26, 2024
Like I said before about eBay, it's the best. My favorite search terms these days are "antique oddity lot junk drawer," "vintage courrèges," "vintage cacharel," "vintage ungaro," "vintage louis feraud," "antique medical bedpan urinal enamel," and "vintage enamel vase." Also fun to mis-spell things that should be very expensive and see if anyone has discovered them, e.g. "Gugci purse." (You can check out some of my recent eBay purchases here: https://ottessathisottessathat.substack.com/p/my-stuff)
Jan 28, 2025
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I buy most of my stuff on eBay.I dont look at specific sellers, i look for specific things.I can get pretty close to exactly what im looking for…whether it’s tailored, workwear, and old ll bean shirt, well loved old dress trousers…you can find anything. Sometimes, something shows up and it’s just amazing. I’m not a gambler, but this is a way to scratch that itch?Ive eaten it on a bunch, but im getting better.
Jun 13, 2024
Top Recs from @jacob-gallagher
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I haven't actually received my copy of this book yet, but Charlie is one of my favorite writers so I feel safe endorsing this. Charlie used to write at the Guardian and FT (among other places) but stepped back a bit ago to write this book on well, what artists wear. I've missed his writing (seriously, go back and read some of his old stuff, which zooms with zest and clarity) and so I'm really looking forward to receiving this. It is currently only in print in the UK, but I bought it from a store over there that shipped (for free!) to America.
Jun 10, 2021
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I have no clue how I found the Stockholm-based artist who goes by "@snakeb00t" nor do I know much about him. But his sculptures—like a rotund vase with Pinocchio on one side and Mr. Met on the other—are a mishmashed joy. My favorite kind of contemporary art recreates (whether knowingly or inadvertently) the sensation of plowing through the internet where no two things in succession ever really make sense. It's also just this tangle of absurd juxtapositions. Martensson's work really captures that for me. They're also hilarious in scale—see the imaginary Prada money clip that is as big as a toddler.
Jun 10, 2021
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When I was working on the book—which has brief, but well-researched entries for 500 famous people and brands (plug, plug, plug)—I would often get sidetracked on YouTube. If you key in a designer's name and scroll down past the predictable top entries, you'd get some largely-forgotten, and really enchanting, clips. A few favorites:-Issey Miyake doing a TV ad for Suntory Whisky (soundtracked by Kraftwerk!)—Obssesed with how tortured Miyake is acting here. I imagine the directions were "you're designing, you're out of ideas, you NEED the whisky!" It's also notable that this wasn't a co-branded whisky between Suntory and Miyake. Licensing would skyrocket in the '80s, but here Miyake—with his sublime pushbroom mustache—was just the spokesman.-Michael Fish showing his 1969 collection—Fish was one of those lesser-known characters I became fascinated with while working on the book. His lush, gender-agnostic clothes are now often seen as paving the way for Gucci, et. al today. But in this clip you get the full range of his designs, from mild suits to brocade loungewear to some regrettable condiment-colored knits. It's also very sweet how nervous he appears in the beginning.-Nudie Cohn being interviewed in 1980—A Jewish immigrant who made suits for Roy Rogers. Can't beat it. Stick around in this clip to see his car, which has a saddle in the back and steer horns on the grill. Legend.
Jun 10, 2021