Fireside with Fenway Flea: Crafting Style, Choosing Sustainable, & Chasing Trends
Fireside with Fenway Flea
Step into the world of Fenway Flea, where style, sustainability, and creativity collide. Last month, we caught up with some of the market’s standout vendors, diving into the latest in flea fashion. From discovering your one-of-a-kind look to scoring eco-friendly finds in Boston, these experts dished out their best advice. Whether you’re eager to reinvent your wardrobe or just curious about the trends taking over the flea scene, our Fenway Flea friends have all the insights you need.
With only a few markets left this season, now’s your chance to uncover hidden treasures and meet the vendors shaping one of Boston’s most exciting shopping experiences before the season wraps up!
Crafting Your Style: Discover what makes you feel authentic.
We all know that personal style is more than just following trends – it’s about feeling comfortable and confident in what you wear. But how do you discover and define a personal style that feels truly you? We asked the vendors for their best tips on finding an authentic, unique look.
Rachel Eaglin from Clover Patch encourages stepping out of the mainstream fashion cycle:
“My number one tip for finding your style is to shop at small retailers. Once you exit the multimillion, manicured fast fashion trends, you are forced to look past the newness for styles you truly like. Shop at thrift stores, with independent designers and attend your local vintage markets. Trying on an item that you’d never typically wear sometimes surprises you. Play dress up with different shapes and styles to learn what flatters your body. In my eyes, everything in your drawers should be something you love. For everyday pieces, if you haven’t worn them after 2 months of laundry, they can go. When creating a cohesive closet, look at the cut and length of a garment before deciding if you like the color. And when in doubt, walk with confidence.“
And sometimes, a little playfulness is all you need to tap into your personal aesthetic. Cole Ackerman of @Aks__fab has a refreshing approach:
“I see clothing as self-expression. I encourage people to step outside of their comfort zone once in a while and wear something that they normally wouldn’t. Throw together a couple of outfits based on how you’re feeling at the time – don’t be subjective! Wear what feels right – not what is “in style” – that’s bs. You create your own style.”
Meanwhile, Hannah Perlmutter from @hootievintage believes your wardrobe should be a reflection of who you are, with a mix of staple pieces and timeless vintage treasures. Hannah shared:
“The beauty of personal style is that it is personal! While trends change over time, I think everyone has an innate style that feels most like them. I always recommend embracing staple items like denim, t-shirts and button ups. With that as a base you can start adding in timeless vintage pieces, like leather jackets, bags and costume jewelry. Fashion is fun! Don’t be afraid to try new styles or trends. Trends are always evolving, and it’s perfectly normal for your style to change over time. Ultimately, your style should reflect who you are. Choose pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident. Pay attention to the items you’re most drawn to time and time again, and work around that.”
Choosing Sustainable: The Best Places for Eco-Friendly Shopping in Boston.
For those who are passionate about making environmentally conscious choices, finding sustainable shopping options can sometimes feel overwhelming. We asked our Fenway Flea friends for their recommendations on the best spots to shop sustainably around Boston.
Cole is a big advocate of local markets and small-scale events:
“Sustainable-minded stores, upcycled products/vendors, vintage/thrift events, etc. – I think coming to small scale clothing sale / swap events is a great sustainable way to shop. At these markets, nothing is mass manufactured – you have people sourcing thrifted goods and people hand making their goods. Shopping from these sources is not only sustainable, but it also helps to support small local businesses in your area.”
If you’re looking for a guide to Boston’s sustainable scene, Hannah knows all the hot spots:
“Boston is an incredible city for sustainable shopping, there are flea markets every weekend and vintage stores scattered all over the area. Some of my favorite markets are Fenway Flea, Found, Brighton Bazaar and Small Mart. For brick and mortar stores I love Found, Brighton Bazaar, Friends and Family, Lexie Butterfly Vintage, and WeThieves. And those are just a few!”
Rachel adds a mindful touch to the idea of shopping sustainably:
“Shopping sustainably means shopping less and shopping mindfully. It means getting your clothes mended and dry cleaned before immediately buying something new instead. It means spending money ethically and supporting brands that support people. People say that say Boston has no fashion scene just aren’t looking in the right places. Going to pop-up markets, you’ll find vendors from all over the northeast with specially curated collections. As an avid vintage shopper, I love the vendors (and prices) at Select Markets, Fenway Flea, The Brighton Bazaar and Back and Forth Flea. Don’t be afraid to be disappointed and leave with nothing. Shopping sustainably means you probably will have to do some looking to find your perfect piece.”
Chasing Trends: What’s Next in the Fashion World?
We couldn’t talk to our vendors without asking them about future trends. With ever-changing styles and shifting influences, what do they see happening next in the fashion world?
Hannah is ready for a nostalgia resurgence:
“While Y2K and Coquette have been reigning supreme for quite a while, I think we’re ready for some new trends to emerge. While I love that 90’s grunge is still having a moment, I’m excited for the 2010’s tumblr era next – think side bangs, skinny jeans, chunky boots, ripped t-shirts, and sleeping with your eye makeup on. Like the Olsen twins at NYU. Of course, internet culture is the biggest driver of these trends. I think the emphasis on personal style in society is at an all time high, and individuality is revered. So while current trends may be exciting, it’s more common to mix and match what feels right for you. That’s what excites me most – seeing people look unique while still including references from the past.”
On the other hand, Cole takes a different approach, focusing less on trends and more on individuality:
“I don’t promote the idea of things being “in style” or “trends”, but it does happen, and a lot of people entertain it. I urge you to follow your own trend, think of something unique that makes sense to you and style it – who cares if someone else doesn’t like it or it doesn’t fit with the current “aesthetic”. Be you! Wear ‘clothing that puts you in a different category’.“
Meanwhile, Rachel has sights set on a rockabilly revival:
“A trend I’ve been waiting for is the 50s rockabilly style. It’s not a far reach from the western wear that has completely resurged in the last 10 years. For a while now, it has been young creatives, not fashion houses, that have been the trendsetters. Senior theses and museum exhibitions are the new fashion week.”
More about our Fenway Flea Friends 🙂
Hootie Vintage by Hannah Perlmutter
Hootie Vintage was founded out of a love for old glamour, sustainability and personal style. I’ve always been drawn to unique pieces, scouring thrift stores and vintage shops for those items no one else had. When I reached a break in my event production career, I finally took the leap into creating Hootie. What started as a vintage clothing and accessories business has morphed into something bigger. While I still focus on apparel, my focus these days has been on creating handmade jewelry out of vintage materials. I love making something new out of something old, it’s my act of revolution against the hyper consumerism of our culture.
Follow Hannah on Instagram @hootievintage
Aks__fab by Cole Ackerman
My name is Cole Ackerman and I run a small custom clothing brand called aks__fab. I specialize in creating 1 of 1 wearable art from upcycled materials such as thrifted clothing, fabrics, and even trash. The goal at aks__fab is to not only show how everyone can create at home but also teach them how to. My Instagram is chock full of tutorials and DIY videos on how to create wearable art at home. I see clothing as a form of self-expression, a way to show people a little more about yourself and what you believe in – just like tattoos, hair styles, piercings, and makeup. I therefore try to create clothing that speaks to how I think. For example, after seeing the crazy amounts of wasted wrapping paper on X-mas day, I created this puffer jacket set to reuse the wrapping paper which would have ultimately been thrown away and wasted.
Follow Cole on Instagram @aks__fab
Clover Patch by Rachel Eaglin
I think of my business Clover Patch as a big piece of art. I exhibit and sell vintage clothing as well as my own handmade 14k gold-filled jewelry. It’s important to ensure every purchase contributes to the well-being of people and planet, so I source vintage/secondhand beads, use carbon offsetting methods, and ship with recycled/handmade materials. I enjoy curating my store because it’s so rewarding to create magical moments for people in my community. Unfortunately, not many vintage stores regularly stock sizes above XL. This is why I’m passionate about sourcing and designing for all bodies. What someone wears can affect their entire day, and I love to empower people with clothing and accessories.
Follow Rachel on Instagram @cloverpatchjewelry
Catch Fenway Flea Before the Season Ends!
Fenway Flea Market is every Sunday from 12-5pm through October. Catch one of the final markets at The Station before the seasons end!
Discover all upcoming events in The Fenway by clicking here. Stay connected and follow us on Instagram @TheFenway for the latest updates!