Some people encounter old, crusty, dusty,
smelly racks of clothing and actually see
that as an opportunity.
Brimfield, Massachusetts
is sort of like their mecca.
Come along
on my Brimfield Adventure!
This is How Bazaar!
Brimfield Antique Show was started in 1959
and it is the longest running, largest outdoor
antique show in the country.
Robert M. Reed started it back in the early
1900s through his son Gordon
to his daughters to us.
57 years now for the antique show.
I’m here in Brimfield searching for my personal
holy grail of American vintage:
early 20th Century denim.
Brimfield doesn’t have a ton of vintage
denim dealers but they have a few really,
really knowledgeable people with really great
product who I feel like are going to have
what I’m looking for.
You want a good pair of jeans, you gotta work
for it one way or another.
You either gotta work for it
or you gotta pay for it.
Plus I hear from my friends who work in contemporary
denim brands that they go scouting at Brimfield
for inspiration.
So if it’s good enough for them,
it is definitely good enough for me.
Brimfield is big!
If you were going to walk from one end to the other end
it would take you hours.
There are over 6,000 different vendors
who service 50,000 shoppers.
While most shopping is done online these days,
for Brimfield sellers,
they’re strictly off-line.
Come on in!
If you have any questions, let us know!
So, this was my chance to get off the internet
and go shopping in real life.
Thousands and thousands of people come here.
If you can’t have fun at Brimfield,
you can’t have fun anywhere.
Here’s what you need to know before you
get to Brimfield.
Brimfield happens three times a year.
Go to the first and last ones of the season
because there are more vendors and
because it’s not stupid hot during those times of year.
Number two:
bring cash.
Some fancier sellers have credit card machines
but you’re going to get a way better deal
if you use cash.
And number three:
go early.
Certain promotions open at dawn break and
the place is going to be really overrun by noon.
I’m here with Bob’s Collectables and Bob,
you’re one of the few people who have denim
which is what I’m actually on the search for.
I’ve never actually heard of this brand before
which you have a lot of which are Land Lovers.
Yeah they were made in the 70s.
I even got the brochure that was..
This is the original brochure?
Yeah.
Back in the 70s.
Oh my god.
"Land Lovers got the fit that gets you the look."
They’re men’s denim?
They’re men’s.
What?
Yeah.
Did you used to wear these?
No.
I don’t know.
I might of.
You might of?
Cool. And how much do you sell these for?
Fifteen dollars a pair.
That’s amazing.
I’m going to search for my pair of jeans.
Look at the zip-off overall thing.
For the most part,
if a jean is a high-waisted pair of jeans,
if you wrap it around your
neck like you’re wearing a jeans necklace
and the two ends touch,
that means it should fit around your waist.
Try it out yourself with a pair of jeans that
fit really well then you can tell...
sort of,
how they’re going to work on you.
So this one is way too small.
Next.
Oh.
Oh!
I think we’ve got a winner you guys.
I’ve developed what I like to call my thrifting outfit
and that consists of a top that’s
a little tighter on top
so I can try things on over it without it looking lumpy
and then a skirt that’s a little wider
so I can pull on pants underneath.
I love these.
Okay. I’m gonna get this.
—They’re really, really small. —Thank you.
No thank you!
It’s that post-purchase glow.
Nothing feels better than that.
This pair of overalls are great but not quite
old enough for my taste.
I’m still on the hunt for something pre-1970s
with a little bit more wear and tear.
So I’ve heard the fashion tent at Brimfield
has one seller who has a rack full of really
old jeans including hand-patched overalls
which sounds super interesting.
So I’m with Sam here.
I think you have the jeans that I’ve been looking for.
Really?
Well maybe you have the jeans.
I do have some really awesome overalls
and some aprons.
These are pretty cool.
They’re Washington D.C. brand,
probably mid-40s I would say.
These ones might be cool too,
if you want to give those a whirl.
The brand is Duckhead.
It’s a really classic pair, 1940s.
A little bit shredded in the back.
Sorry. I love the hand stitching.
This is like stitched by someone who has not
stitched a lot before.
Right and it’s repairs on repairs.
You can see maybe a few layers of repair on them.
Yeah this is what my stitching looks like.
I feel like they’re going to fit.
Cool.
Well give them a whirl, we’ve got a dressing room.
You do?
Yeah.
They’re really destroyed but I like them like this.
I don’t know.
The person, I think, was exactly my height
because the bottom’s ripped off at exactly
the point where my shoes end.
It’s very serendipitous.
These are really nice.
They’re really, really old.
I don’t think I’ve worn anything that’s been...
70 years old?
It’s pretty cool.
These are jeans and overalls that you see
everywhere and they retail for $250 or more
but those are copies of these ones, right?
And these are the originals.
And I learned about a new brand.
I love these overalls!
I mean they’re a little messed up and so, so old
but kind of that’s what makes them
so amazing.
I’ve never seen anything like these before
and I have to have them but first, the haggling.
So, haggling.
Don’t be an asshole about it.
You are not on deal or no deal.
I’ve talked to a lot of sellers here and
they generally offer the same three bits of advice.
One: ask questions and be polite.
The more you talk with someone,
the more you find out the story behind
what you’re buying and the more they
want to sell to you.
If you’re rude to me, I’m gonna be rude to you.
Number two: buy more.
So if you’re able to bundle up a bunch of purchases,
chances are you’re going to get
a better deal for each of them.
And number three: don’t be coy.
That pretending to be like,
“Oh, I’m sort of interested in it.”
They really want to find a good home for
what they have and if they feel like you really
like something,
chances are they’re more apt to give it to you.
Hi.
Hey.
How did it go?
I liked it!
Cool.
How much are these?
I am asking a very reasonable price of
$150 for these.
$150?
I mean, $150 is a good price but if you could
do be a little bit better.
Well.
I could knock 10 bucks off if you’re buying a single item.
That’s good enough for me.
Yeah? Cool.
Good enough for me.
—It’s a deal! —Sounds like a deal.
Cool.
$140.
Awesome. Cool. Enjoy the overalls.
Thank you!
Yeah, have a nice day.
I’ll wear them proudly.
Alright. Awesome.
It’s easy to see why this place is so addictive
for someone who really likes to dig,
there’s just so much stuff to dig through
but it’s actually the human element
that really distinguishes Brimfield from any of
the other flea markets I’ve been to.
It’s authentic because we’re all trying to look
for the same thing.
We’re all trying to find a piece that’s
going to make our living rooms,
our wardrobes, or our lives
feel a little bit more complete.
Ta-da!
So when I wear distressed denim like this,
I like to contrast it with pieces that are a little bit
more fancy so this frilly blouse or
the pointed kitten heel shoes, and fancy-ish accessories.
I just feel like it balances out a little bit.
This is something I’d wear to Fashion Week
or an evening out.
I think it’s a little more unexpected than
just a dress and some heels.
Brimfield is really intimidating.
Hopefully I’ve shown it’s worth it.
The pay off is there, it can be huge if you
just put in the time and the energy.
Also when anyone is like,
“Your overalls are so cool! Where did you get them?”
I have a great story to tell them now.
Thanks for watching!
For more videos, click here.
And to subscribe to our page, click here.