Tastemakers like Alexa Chung and Chloë Sevigny know the importance of vintage trimmings: A pair of vintage shades here, a pre-loved clutch there … and voila! A quirky and original outfit, miles ahead of the masses, is born.
So if you don’t already have a selection of vintage accessories to fall back on, scoot over to online retailer Doorstep Luxury and check out Curly Sue’s line of rare vintage sunnies, as well as classic canvas satchels and leather handbags from UK bag label Chapman.
Sourced from opticians the world over, Curly Sue’s range of brand-new shades are a cut above the rest, thanks to their unusual yet true-to-the-era shapes from the ‘70s and ‘80s. The collection, available on Doorstep Luxury, includes sunglasses from well-known labels like Christian Dior and Dunhill to niche brands like Rodenstock and Philippe Charriol.
Vintage sunglasses from Rodenstock (top) and Dunhill (bottom)
We’re particularly smitten with the one-of-a-kind designs by luxury accessories label Philippe Charriol. Made in East Germany in the ‘80s, these shades are all about the details: Twisted stainless steel on the arms, double-bridge bars across the lenses and quirky tortoiseshell for the ear hooks will set you apart from the aviator-sporting summer crowds.
Vintage sunglasses from Philippe Charriol
Complete your vintage mix-and-match spree with a classic bag – or two – from Chapman, the noted English bag label with a 100-year history in handcrafting quintessentially British canvas and leather bags.
From top to bottom: Styles from Chapman include the Belt Bag, Flyfisher Shoulder Bag, Mini Shoulder Bag and Mayfly Satchel
One of the last few British brands to still make bags in UK workshops, you can be sure that a Chapman bag will never go out of style. Their preppy, vintage-style satchels, totes and shoulder bags aren’t just pretty arm candy: Double-stitched zips, cotton military-grade webbing that won’t fray, brass hardware and English bridle leather trimming offer impressive durability too.
Curly Sue’s vintage eyewear is priced from $200 to $490 per pair while Chapman bags are priced from $150 to $340 each. To shop, visit doorstepluxury.com/curly-sue or doorstepluxury.com/chapman.