Issue #58: Better Than DÔEN: A Treasure Trove of Summer Vintage

I spent [redacted] hours scouring Etsy for these finds.

When I was in New York last week, I visited the DÔEN store. I almost pulled the trigger on this skirt — but changed my mind as I was walking to the register, wondering if I could find a comparable vintage (and ideally, less expensive) one online.

As I mentioned in my beginner’s guide to scoring great vintage online, I’ve found clothing that looks like it’s straight out of the latest DÔEN catalog at a fourth of the price. It’s not inspired by the 70s, it’s from the 70s, and you’re guaranteed to be the only person wearing it. 

In what might’ve been my most fun and rewarding Platonic Love assignment yet, I spent [redacted] hours curating these better-than-DÔEN vintage finds.

Romantic Shirts

1. Pull this on with some light-wash jeans… or maybe capris.

2. I’m stretching the definition of “vintage” a bit here — this top is newly made from a vintage table-cloth — but it’s very DÔEN-coded, no?

3. Another shirt I had to convince myself to include rather than buying it for myself: a vintage French camisole from the early 1900s. 

4. A lovely cotton eyelet blouse from a theater company that closed in the 90s.

5. So wearable and very affordable to boot.

6. This semi-sheer Irish linen top has the prettiest embroidery and shape. 

7. For the set-lovers out there. (I would not wear with a shirt underneath. A little side boob is cool!)

8. An adorable gingham top for less than $35.

Floral Dresses

9. YOU CAN’T TELL ME DÔEN DIDN’T DESIGN A DRESS ON THIS VINTAGE ONE. 

10. I love the high neckline and bow-tie back on this long dress. 

11. If you’re going to spend $300 on a dress, make it this one — an absolutely stunning Gunne Sax by Jessica McClintock number. (I am so close to buying it for myself.)

12. A charming white-and-pink maxi that I’d toughen up with chunky black sandals.

13. Obsessed with this ruffle prairie dress. So boho and fun. 

14. A sweet (and very affordable) midi option. 

Striped Shirts

15. An $85 silk Christian Dior (!) blouse for elegant but easy summer evenings.

16. This oversized 90s option looks brand-new and would pair well with a tube top or bathing suit and shorts. 

17. A slim-fitting Italian shirt from the 1970s.

18. Picturing this with cat-eye sunglasses or classic Raybans. 

Whimsical Skirts

19. This floaty 70s Gunne Sax (definitely a name to look out for) skirt would make a summer staple. 

20. An easy and light baby blue maxi skirt.

21. I love the buttons on this nautical striped skirt. 

22. Ohhhh, so pretty. 

23. Check out the cute trim on this gingham skirt.

24. I’d wear this top and skirt separately: the former with denim cut-offs and the latter with a simple tank top and leather flip flops. 

If your DÔEN itch can only be scratched one way, check out the selection on Noihsoif Bazaar (one of my favorite places for used clothing and home goods) — lots of good blouses and dresses in the $150 to $225 range.

And, ICYMI…

The most popular link from Monday’s Links We Sent Our Friends (featuring one of our favorite Substack writers,

Clara

) are the Birkenstocks Aliza lives in every summer (despite the resulting foot tan).

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