Valentino — the hunt

In Dallas, the best vintage store is Vintage Martini, hands down. From the quality to the sheer volume, there is nothing even remotely comparable.

Like many other great vintage stores in the South, Vintage Martini is located in a strip mall. Vintage martini is composed of three main sections. On the left, you have true vintage; 1950s to 1990s. In the middle you have mostly accessories with some mid range modern designer at the front. On the right, there are mostly designer garments from the late 90s through current. There is a lot of Jil Sander, Prada, and Armani in this section.

This is the part of the shop that has true vintage. On the wall, you can see all the 80's and 90's product.

My favorite section, the 1950's and 1960's.

It's pretty rare you see vintage handbags that are wearable and in good shape today. Surprise, surprise- there were a lot of really cute ones at Vintage Martini!

Vintage Martini had a lot of great cocktail Jewelery. Pretty necklace heavy, but some earrings too.

They also sell handmade cut soaps! So pretty and they smell nice!

Here is a close up from one of my favorite purchases from the trip. I love the mix of chambray, with jeweled buttons, with the ruffle, with a hint of ditsy floral on the trim!

Here I am, wearing a dress designed by Pauline Trigere. It belonged to a woman named precious, who lived in Memphis. Her husband ended up selling off many of her prettiest dresses to shops like this, while she was still living. The New York Times wr… — Here I am, wearing a dress designed by Pauline Trigere. It belonged to a woman named precious, who lived in Memphis. Her husband ended up selling off many of her prettiest dresses to shops like this, while she was still living. The New York Times wrote an investigative piece about her and her husband in 2002.

Would I go back to Vintage Martini? One million percent! What is great about this store, is that the quality and the price meet in the middle. It is such a large shop that there truly is something for every occasion!

Next stop was Dolly Python. For those wondering, Dolly Python is a play on Dolly Parton. Dolly Python is also in a strip mall and has a huge selection. It is one of those stores that you can barely push the hangers apart it is so jam packed! It is a bit of a dig, but there are so many treasures to be found!

This is towards the middle of the shop. There are cases with Jewelery, and on the left hand side there is a ton of home. I focused primarily on clothing, so I didn't get a good look here!

Texas- land of the cowboy and the cowboy boot.

Honestly, I didn't really understand the organization here, so I would recommend looking at everything.

This statue reminds me of Giacometti, a little, but less extreme.

I bought this vintage Kenneth J Lane ring at Dolly Python. They told me it was a platypus, but I think it's either a frog or a mythical creature.

I also bought this incredible white ruffle lace crop top with rhinestone studs, from the 1950's. It may have been part of a square dancing costume, but that makes me love it even more!!!

All in all, I would say Dolly Python is as good as Vintage Martini, but a little different, in the fact that it is less curated. Personally, I like that! It gives me a chance to really find something new and different. I am already dying to go back!

Onto the next stop, which is Luxury Garage Sale. Luxury Garage Sale has several different locations across the country, and is strictly designer consignment. Everything is in perfect condition and priced accordingly. It is still a great deal in comparison to New York prices. They also sell on eBay- so beware- hopefully your dress won't be sold before you try to buy it! Basically, they have last season's clothing from Neiman's and other similar Dallas shop. I saw Erdem, Miu Miu, Derek Lam, Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, and Dolce and Gabbana,just to name a few!

Everything is color coordinated and very well organized. Plenty of space to look!

Wish these puppies were my size!! Or seahorses, rather!

I didn't buy anything at Luxury Garage Sale, but that doesn't mean I didn't love it! If I lived nearby, I would be back every week! The Texas lady has great taste, and this store proves it!

Last but not least, is a pretty little shop called Forty Five Ten. This is in a pedestrian shopping area of Dallas, called Highland Park Village. It isn't consignment or vintage, but I will say- they have great sales. It is a small department store, kind of like how they used to be. They have a pretty unique assortment that still caters to a polished Dallas woman. Some highlights are Delpozo, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, and Vika Gazinskaya. There is a great restaurant, but make sure you go before three, or it will be closed!

A little bit country, and a little bit ruffley.

Can't remember who made this, but the fabric is sick.

Marni ruffles. I would wear this every day.

My trip to the country music capital started with a trip to the UAL(that's short for United Apparel Liquidators). The UAL is a regional chain that is located only in the South. It is a designer clothing liquidator, which means that small shops will sell them their unsold stock. They get a range of high end designers(they keep this in their "couture section), as well as ones that would be classified as contemporary(meaning a little less expensive and usually more casual). There are two UAL in Nashville. I only went to the older location in Centenial Park, which supposedly has a more high end selection.

The UAL is located in a strip mall within the city. There isn't much else of interest right nearby.

Here I am outside(as you can see I'm pretty excited!)

As soon as you enter UAL, the cheaper items are towards the front. They tend to have more of these, in multiple sizes and sometimes colors. Men's is on the right, though I wholly ignored that area. Shoes are just behind men's. It was a pretty small selection, though very well priced. Designer, which they call couture is on the left by the register. Jewelery is kept at the register. Extra discounted merchandise is just behind the designer section. Home is all the way in the back.

This is the very front of the store, nothing so exciting here!

This is towards the front of the store still,  but there is some designer mixed in. I saw Marni, Saint Laurent, Harvey Faircloth, and Carven on this rack, just to name a few. — This is towards the front of the store still, but there is some designer mixed in. I saw Marni, Saint Laurent, Harvey Faircloth, and Carven on this rack, just to name a few.

This Dolce & Gabbana mini dress with gold leather appliqué is of my favorites of all time! I remember seeing it a year or so back in the Barney's catalogue and loving it ever since!

Not sure who designed the teal jacquard dress on the wall, but I'm obsessed!

This Sonia by Sonia Rykiel tee shirt is really special. It has a lace yoke and a velvet swallow appliqué. It is marked down from 490$ to 147$.

Simone Rocha is a British designer, who is sold at shops like Dover Street Market. I found this great white mesh sheath dress with floral embroidery and crochet trim. I forgot to take a photo of the tag, but I do remember it was less than 300$. Usua… — Simone Rocha is a British designer, who is sold at shops like Dover Street Market. I found this great white mesh sheath dress with floral embroidery and crochet trim. I forgot to take a photo of the tag, but I do remember it was less than 300$. Usually this kind of dress would sell for closer to 3000$!

I love what Hedi Slimane did for Saint Laurent. So many super easy, young dresses! This is one of them and I wish it had been a size 38! In silk chiffon, marked down from 3790$ to 287$.

Not marked down as much as some of the others, but this Giambattista Valli dress is such a pretty red!

This gold fil-coupé Lanvin dress was all over their advertising!

Was tempted by Mary Katrantzou for 128$, but resisted.

Amazing fabric on Mary Katrantzou shorts.

I think this pretty embroidered tulle gown is either Dolce or Valentino

Hand written Duro Olowu dry cleaning tag.

The most amazing knit dress I have ever seen! This Delpozo work of art is marked down from 8000$, to 706$.

And last, but not least!

I ended up buying these silver leather Marni sandals for 135$. Deal of the day!

Would I go back to UAL? Absolutely! It has an unusual selection of discounted designer product. The quality is good, and the prices are good, especially if you like to dig!

Dallas- vintage, consignment, etc.

Nashville - UAL