Bird Hunting Jackets and Guatemalan Capes: The Vintage Pieces Summer Strauch Says We Need

By Lauren Sherman
November 10, 2010

Filmmaker, producer and West Village, Manhattan resident Summer Strauch is what we’d call an "eBay Pro." The vintage-obsessed, part-time fashion designer—whose collection, The Summer Camp Vintage is sold at high-end boutique Tauk in Montauk, New York—not only has fantastic fashion style, but she’s also savvy about finding great deals on clothes and accessories. And it turns out most of those deals are found on eBay. When she's off-duty from producing shows like MTV's "Made," Strauch is online, scouring eBay for the best vintage styles out there. Luckily for us, she was willing to share some of her shopping secrets:

Summer Strauch

Summer Strauch wearing some of her favorite eBay finds: vintage Gucci tall riding boots with thick brown belt (found by searching "vintage horse head gear"), vintage ethnic Mexican vest and Victorian gold bracelet; vintage Diane Von Furstenberg blue jumpsuit vintage with Italian multi colored coral necklace ; vintage avant-garde rust-colored mini with vintage Italian multi-colored coral necklace

The Inside Source: How long have you been using eBay?

Summer Strauch: Can it be that I have been using eBay for about a decade now? I would say within the last two years, it has become the only real source for finding my style. I would rather buy something on eBay than go shopping in a boutique store. It’s inspiring…deliriously inspiring to find a one-of-a-kind vintage piece full of character and style.

The Inside Source: What are your favorite things to look for generally?

Summer Strauch: Over the summer I was seeking out vintage ethnic and vintage safari pieces. I found some amazing one-of-a-kind hand-made dresses, caftans, and short sleeve jackets. Every time I wear them, I promise I always get asked a million times (ok not a million but at least five), where I found it. I always tell the truth…eBay.

The Inside Source: I know that you have some tips for searching on eBay. Can you share an online shopping secret or two?

Summer Strauch: I would say, depending on what I am looking for, I look for other keywords in people's descriptions. For example, I searched vintage ethnic and saw Guatemala written in a bunch of the items I was interested in. It was that day that started my new favorite search: “vintage Guatemalan.”

I would also say don’t always go by first impressions. I will always look at a photo of an item lying on the floor, wrinkled, and not too impressive. I have found my best pieces for the best deals in those moments. I recently found a royal blue vintage Diane von Furstenberg jumpsuit for only $9.99.

The Inside Source: Do you always wear vintage styles? What fashion designers do you like?

Summer Strauch: I do always wear vintage. I am inspired by hand-made, one-of-a-kind pieces. It is beautiful to think I am the only one in the world wearing this. Recently I have been looking at a lot of avant-garde designers from the ‘80s and for some reason have been quite obsessed with vintage Diane von Furstenberg ‘80’s jumpsuits.

The Inside Source: You have a small clothing line designed with true vintage pieces. How did it come about, and where can we get it?

Summer Strauch: My clothing line The Summer Camp Vintage was inspired after friends and strangers would always ask me where I bought what I had on. Then one day early this summer, three girls approached me to buy the dress I was wearing and a skirt I had in my hand. I said, why not!?

I ended up going to their house with a trunk-load of vintage clothes and as they say…the rest is history. I sell select vintage pieces as The Summer Camp Vintage exclusively to Tauk in Montauk, New York and now have plans to sell around the world at exclusive resorts. Who knows, it all may be available online really soon, too!

The Inside Source: What are your must-have items for fall?

Summer Strauch: I definitely have been on the search for vintage safari items for the past year, but it doesn’t stop this season. I love a good safari jacket and will give you an inside tip…vintage bird hunting jackets and vests are the perfect fall item. I have been tracking those down for quite some time now. I also am a firm believer in a vintage Guatemalan cape/jacket…if you can find one. Every time I wear the one I won, I always get stopped on the streets of NYC.

Summer Strauch's Favorite eBay Search Terms and Some Selections They Inspired

Roll over items for details

Vintage Ethnic

Vintage Safari Pieces

Short Sleeve Jackets

Vintage Guatemalan

Vintage Tall Riding Boots

Vintage European Women’s Army Pants

Caftans

Hunting Vests

Vintage Guatemala Jacket

Vintage Hunting Jackets

Bird Hunting Jackets and Guatemalan Capes: The Vintage Pieces Summer Strauch Says We Need

Vintage Tall Riding Boots

"You really can never have enough. I won a pair of vintage Gucci riding boots for $50 and I plan to live in them."

Vintage Safari Jacket

"It adds a little something to that t-shirt and jeans outfit."

Vintage Horse Headgear

"It may sound weird, but I found my favorite belt ever by searching this. It is pure leather and was only $15. Who knew?"

Vintage European Women’s Army Pants

"You would be so surprised by the fit. High waisted, full legs, with elastic cropped legs. Again another favorite find for less than $10.”

Vintage Ethnic Caftans

"I have found my favorite pieces in the fall, and it’s my one search I never stop looking for. Inspired by my grandmother’s life long quest for the perfect caftan…it’s in my blood."

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