Outfit Melodies

Vintage Ralph Lauren, D&G, Missoni and other secondhand finds according to my favorite summer songs

Jul 21, 2024

If there’s anything else I’m good at curating other than an eBay watchlist, it’s a playlist. I’ve never been disciplined at keeping a diary, but I can show you a playlist from the Spring of 2017 and tell you exactly what I was doing and feeling at the time.

Music is important to me. Songs creep their way into every corner of my life. The first word I ever uttered was “music,” kindly requesting that my mom turn up the radio while strapped into my carseat as we drove through The City. I had a college radio show for four years, and last year I had a nine-month stint on a community radio station broadcasting an early morning show (you can still listen to the archives, by the way). I realize that I’m in a happier frame of mind getting dressed when I have my playlist of the moment on. Conducting the hunt for vintage and secondhand online feels more productive when I have a good playlist going to spark imagination and capture a mood, like I’m in the song and letting the lyrics guide my search.

So, here are some secondhand finds according to my favorite summer songs, from the past and up until now. I recommend listening to them as you browse the finds. I’d love to know which song is your favorite too <3

💌 P.S. If you’re reading this in email, you may have to open in the Substack app or web browser to view the entire letter!

“Telefono” by Phoenix

This song evokes feelings of missing someone while on vacation, and the tension that comes with being surrounded by beauty only to be met with lamentation because that person is not with you. It’s putting on your best and brightest summer wear in an attempt to cheer yourself up, but the disconnect is waiting around every cobblestone alley. It’s the sweat on your brow and the sun in your eyes as you try to lose yourself in a book alongside the ocean.

I also recommend listening to the entire album that this song is on — It’s filled with sickly-sweet summer pop.

Antique Edwardian Quarter Sleeve Blouse - $40 (Editor’s Note: I only just now realized after publishing this that it’s a blouse for a child. OOPS. See alternative here and here) / Jones NY Chambray Linen Tank - $8 / Vintage Napier Gold + Navy Ball Earrings - $32 / Etienne Aigner Green Leather Kitten Heels - $24 / Straw Bag - $15 / 1989 Michelin Pocket Guide to Italy - $28 / Benetton Viscose Polka Dot Ruffle Dress - $199 / Antique White Cotton Skirt - $68 / K. Jacques Gold + Black Leather Sandals - $31 / Vintage Ralph Lauren Green Striped Button-Down - $45 / Vintage ‘Bonnes Vacances’ Tourist Tee - $16

“Deadbeat Summer” by Neon Indian

It’s the summer of doing absolutely nothing when I press play on this track. Like one of those weird periods during the first two years of college before you’ve moved in with roommates into an apartment, and you have to move out of your dorm and in with your parents again for three months. It’s telling them you’re going to drop off your resume in search of a summer job, but in reality your on your bike going to the gas station to get an Icee and a Nerds Rope to snack on.

Vintage Green Hanes Sweatshirt - $13 / Vintage Ralph Lauren Denim Chore Coat - $79 / Sterling Silver Puffy Heart Earrings - $67 / Vintage Cotton-Linen Blend Elastic Shorts - $13 / Vintage Green Jelly Flats - $32 / Karhu ‘Mestari’ Sneakers - $95 / L.L. Bean Pistachio Boat & Tote - $35 / Deadstock Red Hair Claw - $9 / Vintage Pointelle Tee - $25 / ‘Love Me, Dammit!’ Red Enamel Charm - $32 / 90s Guess Shorts - $20 (Starting Bid)

“Where Do You Go To My Lovely” by Peter Sarstedt

I love this song. I do have a bone to pick with it though, since the singer is basically romanticizing this one girl he grew up with on the streets of Naples and is infatuated with her now high society lifestyle. In some parts it almost feels like he is trying to pick apart the “facade” he thinks she has, like he knows her better than she knows herself. Whatever, I digress. This song was introduced to me by a very close friend in high school when we were both going through our Wes Anderson phase. Moonrise Kingdom had just come out. We watched Anderson’s short film Hotel Chevalier and this song was featured in it, also in The Darjeeling Limited. Jason Schwartzman’s character basically uses the song as a way to appear like a romantic, misunderstood artist type in front of women (considering the lyrics, it tracks). My friend and I proceeded to ride around our town all summer with windows down, getting huge sandwiches from the Italian deli paired with peach Snapples and making art while listening to this song. Lyrics and cinematic context aside, its extremely catchy and makes me want to be in 1960s Paris.

Vintage D&G Mini Dress - $175 / Nicola Gold Pleated Tank - $10 / Vintage Gianfranco Ferre Ruffle Tank - $70 / Vintage Missioni Black & White Tank - $179 / Cafe de Flore Ashtray - $99 / Vintage Galeries Lafayette Ashtray - $19 / Maxim’s Paris Ashtray - $35 / Stewart Weitzman Gold Sandals - $100 / Armani Collezioni Silk Blend Pants - $63 / Vintage Stewart Weitzman Sandals w/ Lucite Heel - $79 / Vintage Fleur De Lys Locket - $150 / Vintage Koji Yohji Black Sleeveless Dress - $60

Some recommendations for you outside of fashion:

Some summer playlists here and here for you to enjoy!
I finally finished Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar a week ago and was stunned to say the least. Once I picked it up earlier that evening to get my mind off things, I couldn’t stop. I was consumed until the end and finished it around two in the morning.
Linen bedsheets during summer are a must.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next one!