Brimfield Has Vintage Clothing Covered

The Brimfield Antique Show has been a destination for collectors and antique lovers for over 50 years. In recent years it has also become popular with designers, stylists of all sorts and home decor enthusiasts. Another increasingly popular trend that is drawing more and more shoppers and dealers every year is vintage clothing. It is one of the most searched for categories in the Brimfield Flea Finder App.

As vintage clothing has become more popular, the exact type of clothing in demand has changed a lot. Carla Stanley of Bird Brain Vintage says she has seen big changes over the past 10 years. "No longer do the fifties hats, gloves and hankies, that were the definition of vintage clothing in the early 2000's, hold an interest for me. I'm happy with an edgier, street ready collection. Festival wear, bohemian seventies dresses (have you seen Roberto Cavalli's resort collection for 2017!!!!) and rough and distressed clothing. Hardy men's wear is tough to find but I love the ruggedness and textures of work wear and the natural fibers."

Bird Brain Vintage

Carla expects men's work wear from the 30's and 40's, one of a kind pieces like embroidered denim and hand painted leather, jackets with unique patches and pins, overalls, satin bomber jackets and vintage hot rod, rat rod and bike racing tees to be particularly popular this year.

Kim Kirker of Cloche Calls agreed that the market in Brimfield has changed significantly in recent years. She has been selling vintage clothing in Brimfield for 14 years. "I have seen the vintage clothing market change over time from a collector market to more of wearable market. There are still plenty of collectors out there but there is a big upswing in being able to wear what you buy."

Cloche Call

Kim foresees statement pieces and affordable wearable pieces from the 1960s through the 1980s to remain popular in 2017. "There is a younger generation that is interested in vintage and I would say, they want to enjoy what they wear. Making a statement and being different is what it's about."

Sue Snow of Vudu Micia has been wearing vintage for years but only began selling it in Brimfield three years ago. She says it feels like much longer though because bonding in Brimfield is amplified by the intensity of the experience. "Brimfield is like life under the big top. It's a carnival, freak show, circus, museum, dusty attic full of lost treasures, runway fashion show, summer camp and family reunion rolled up into one. The friends I have made there feel like family to me because you bond in a way that is sped up. Being there an entire week at a time can be so intense and sometimes brutal that you lean on one another & feel close very quickly."

Vudu Micia

Sue also isn't particularly concerned with trends. Most of the vintage clothing dealers tend to have a style range and they buy what they truly love or what they can imagine someone else loving. "As far as trends go and what is trending I don't know. I try not to worry about that and I buy what I appreciate. I know that flowing bohemian type things have been big for awhile and it's trickled down and even mall stores sell it now. Personally I love that style so if it's trendy or if the trend ends I'll always have some. My "bohemian" rack is my favorite and is pretty darn stellar this year."

Sue is so passionate about selling vintage clothing and how it helps other people express themselves. It's hard to believe she hasn't been doing it longer. "I had never sold vintage clothing because frankly I didn't think there was a market for it where I was. Yes, in cities and college towns but in my area it wouldn't really have worked back then. I think social media's influence on vintage and fashion and culture have been enormous."

Speaking of social media, you can use the Brimfield Flea Finder app to find amazing vintage clothing dealers when you come to the show. And we are adding more every day! Also be sure to follow along with us on Instagram and Facebook to find some amazing pages/feeds to follow that might lead you to the perfect piece you didn't even know you had been looking for!

Here are a few dealers you won't want to miss at the show next week:

• Bird Brain Vintage

Here is a full shot of the #brownsbeachjacket that I picked up in Portsmouth yesterday. As expected there is a lot of interest. NFS yet. This is going to Brimfield. Find me in #quakeracres #brimfield2017 #vintageclothing #vintagemenswear

A post shared by Carla Stanley (@birdbrainvintage) on Apr 22, 2017 at 3:49pm PDT

• Cloche Call

#vintagefashion #brimfieldantiqueshow #brimfieldfleafinder #quakeracresbooth43 #1950sfashion #butterflylove #circleskirt

A post shared by Clochecall/Kimberly Kirker (@clochecall) on Sep 6, 2016 at 6:05am PDT

• Vudu Micia

Another pair of super boots coming to Brimfield, this pair is broken in and has killer color. #vudumicia #vintage #boots #frye #vintagemenswear #70's #brimfield #maybrimfield2017

A post shared by Sue Snow (@vudumicia) on May 2, 2017 at 10:19am PDT

• Bloom and Barter

🌞 the sun is shining the birds are chirping ! what a beautiful day to come get your thrift on down here at Brimfield Antique Fair ! happy huntingggg everyone ! 🌞

A post shared by Bloom & Barter Vintage (@bloomandbarter) on May 12, 2016 at 3:03am PDT

• Trunk & Disorderly

Our buddy James stopped by our sale last Saturday and captured how jam packed with goodies the shop is! #shopwoo make sure to come shop again Saturday 2-6 for 50% off most inventory 🎯💜😈

A post shared by The Trunk & Disorderly (@trunkndisorderly) on Dec 7, 2016 at 8:26am PST

• Vivant Vintage

Brighten up your day with a sundress. The shop is open till 6! #vivant #vivantvintage #bostonvintage #bostonsbest #bestofboston #allstonvintage #bostonantiques

A post shared by Sounds Like VeeVaunt (@vivantvintage) on May 7, 2017 at 11:36am PDT

• Crown Auctions

Want to see more of what Brimfield has to offer?

Farmhouse Style in Brimfield

Brimfield is Mad for Mid Century Modern

Industrial Works in Brimfield

Heading to the show? Be sure to download the Brimfield Flea Finder app to browse dealers before you hit the fields! And follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more Brimfield eye candy and up to date show info.

See you there!
Kaitlin

The Brimfield Flea Finder app was developed specifically for the Brimfield Antique Shows. The app is free to download in The App Store. Visit www.brimfieldapp.com for more about the app and www.brimfield.com for general show information.

A Brimfield Love Story by Eat Sleep Vintage

Brimfield dealers all have their own personal stories of how they found their way to the epic show. Most started as buyers and eventually worked their way into selling. Some have been coming since childhood while others discovered it later in life. In this post, Maureen of Eat Sleep Vintage, is sharing the story of how she fell in love with antiques and how Brimfield found a place in her life. Enjoy!
- Kaitlin

Eat Sleep Vintage. This name personifies me and my love for antiques...I'm not sure how I fell in love with them. I didn't grow up with them in our home, but I remember being about 17, and happened to stop at a garage sale while out and about one day and I found an antique sideboard and it was cheap! Maybe $30...What?? The craftsmanship was beautiful with carvings in the tiger oak. The gentleman told me about the history of it and I had to have it. I got it home somehow and put in the basement, saving it for when I would be out on my own one day. From there my addiction started...scouring flea markets and garage sales, learning about antiques, the beauty of them, the history, and the stories they told. Making numerous friends with dealers and shop owners, and acquiring a ton of things, storing them away for "some day"...I remember my father yelling, when are you going to get rid of that junk, as the basement was now full. It amazed me what could be found out there for little to no money..such treasures! What is wrong with people, don't they realize what this is?? My heart raced just thinking about some of the things I was lucky to find.

Brimfield is Mad for Mid Century

Mid Century Modern has a been a big seller in Brimfield for a while now. The simplicity and clean lines blend perfectly with today's modern styles and the quality of furniture made during the middle part of the last century is often times far better than what you can buy in stores now. 

September 2016 #Brimfield Recap

It's hard to believe that the last Brimfield show of the year has come and gone. And what a year it has been! May was one of the biggest shows in years and July and September were relatively busy as well. The Thursday of the September show was particularly busy. Traffic was backed up on Route 20 towards Sturbridge and parking lots were full. There were big crowds over the weekend despite some questionable weather on the last day.

Keep reading to find out more about how our latest vintage camper turned out, Food52's first ever Brimfield booth as well as the trends their editors spotted at the show, the most searched for items and categories in the Brimfield Flea Finder app and some pretty eye candy to get you through the winter!

How To Get the Best Deals in Brimfield (Without Being a Jerk)

In general, Brimfield is a fun place to be. Dealers are doing what they love and shoppers are doing what they love. Most transactions, including the haggling, go smoothly and everyone walks away happy. Shopping in Brimfield is one of my favorite things to do. I have filled my home with #brimfieldfinds (click here to see some of them). Below are some of my tips on what to do and, just as importantly, what not to do to walk away with the item you want at a fair price without ruining someone's day.

Country Bumpkin Antiques

• DO have a rough idea of what you are willing to pay and be serious about buying the item before negotiating. If the asking price isn't in the ballpark of what you are willing to pay, consider moving on or be up front about that from the beginning. As a general rule, dealers expect to come down at least 10-20% of their marked price. 

• DO act friendly and to put it as simple as possible, just be nice. It doesn't have to be a competition with a winner and a loser. They are selling an item you want to buy. How nice that you found each other! You don't have to swap life stories (although I've seen it happen) but some friendly conversation doesn't hurt.

• DO ask if they can do better on the price. There are a few ways to word this but I find that keeping it simple is best. My favorites are:

Can you do better on the price?

What's your best price on this?

Would you be willing to take x?

• DO bundle. The more you buy the happier they will be to discount.

• DO pay in cash but don't expect it to get you a better price. Most dealers only accept cash (that's starting to change but slowly) so it doesn't really sweeten the deal as much as it would in other venues.

• DO shop the last day for some good deals. This isn't a hard fast rule but generally dealers will discount something a bit more to avoid packing it up and bringing it home (especially if it's big and heavy). But don't expect them to be giving stuff away. Many dealers have stores to go back to or another show right around the corner so they aren't desperate to get rid of things. 

Anthony Rosa Modern

• DON'T offer half (or less than half) of the marked price. I've seen people recommend starting at half as a bargaining strategy. I don't recommend this. It rubs dealers the wrong way. They still might make a counter offer or they just might decide you aren't the kind of shopper they want to give an extra good price to. 

• DON'T be rude. I know I said this above, but it bears repeating: just be nice. Most Brimfield dealers are there because they are really good at what they do. A lot run reputable businesses back home and use Brimfield to make connections and shop for new merchandise. Don't assume they are all desperate for each and every sale. Waving a $20 bill in their face (I have seen this happen) is condescending and probably won't get the reaction you're hoping for.

• DON'T walk away and expect the item to be there when you return. Sometimes hesitating or walking away can work in your favor. The dealer might come down a little bit more to make the sale but you also might miss out on the item entirely. Merchandise moves fast in Brimfield, particularly early in the show so don't walk away if it's something you really want. You might not see it again. 

Traditional Marine

Finally, DO have a great time treasure hunting! See you there!

Kaitlin

If you're heading to the Brimfield Antique Show, be sure to download the FREE Brimfield Flea Finder app to help you navigate the show! Get show info, search for specific dealers and items, locate food, bathrooms, ATMs and more!

May 2016 Brimfield Show Recap

Brimfield is back! Not that it ever went away, but the May 2016 show was almost unanimously the biggest and best in years. The traffic was backed up on Route 20 for miles every day, which hasn't happened in years. The weather was almost perfect and the fields were chock full of dealers and shoppers all doing what they came to do.

Brimfield Grub: 2016 Edition

Our family spends a lot of time in Brimfield during show weeks. I always start out with the best of intentions to make food ahead of time and bring it with us each day. That usually doesn’t last very long and we inevitably end up eating food we can buy at the show.

Of course we have our favorites. It’s no secret that we love BT’s Smokehouse. We were pretty sad when we found out Brian Treitman had decided this would be his last year in Brimfield. Over the last few years, Brian has gone from just that guy who makes amazing food to our friend who makes amazing food. We will miss having him around at the shows, but we are locals so we can eat his food all year long (and we will!).

What Does Brimfield Mean To You?

Flea market season is right around the corner and the Brimfied buzz is starting to pick up. Dealers are starting to get their inventory ready, shoppers are planning their trips, local businesses are preparing for the swarms of people and we are signing up dealers and getting a new update to the app ready for release.

Brimfield is one of the most well known flea markets in the world, but it is also still a premier antiques and collectibles show. Some of the dealers (and shoppers!) in Brimfield are incredibly knowledgeable about the items they specialize in. In general, they are also very willing to share information with shoppers and other dealers. They love talking about their fields of expertise and helping people add to their collections. Many of these specialized dealers are the backbone of the show and have seen it shrink and grow and change many times over the years. 

September 2015 Show Recap

Reclaimed Charm

As always, dealers had mixed experiences at the September Brimfield show. A few said it was their worst show in years. A few had great shows. As usual, most fell somewhere in the middle and many acknowledged that their expectations were thrown off by such uncharacteristically strong July sales. The sweltering heat can also slow things down and it was really hot the first few days of the show. You expect that in July, but September is usually a bit more comfortable. The weather later in the week was great, but a threat of rain may have kept people away on Friday and Sunday. But the shoppers who are there never seem disappointed. Whether they are veteran buyers or a first-timer just taking it all in, people are generally happy to be there.

As far as the app is concerned, the September show was a big success for us. We had a lot of momentum heading into the show and a lot of things came together giving us a strong finish to the year. 

My September #brimfieldfinds

I didn't have much time for shopping at this show, but I did manage to get out on the last day and find a few things. Someday I would love to have a job that requires me to be there to shop! I end up walking miles and miles a day and going from one end of the show to the other but I'm usually on a specific mission and it's hard to switch focus. 

My haul is small but I love each item. My favorite is the framed silver linen label. It was too sweet to pass up. And I have been wanting a small wooden bowl to put out on the table with snacks for the girls so they can fend for themselves during the day. This one was the perfect size. The little round metal rimmed box may or may not have been stolen from my parents' booth. That's always my favorite place too shop because the prices are great ;)

My little Brimfield haul: framed vintage (antique?) linen label, wooden bowl,
and a small round wooden box with metal trim

I love that so many people on Twitter and Instagram share their #brimfieldfinds when they get home. It's inspiring to see where some of the items end up, how they are styled and how much they are loved by their new owners. Here are a few I wanted to share:

Brimfield Dealer Profile: Knock on Wood Antiques

One of my favorite parts of developing the Brimfield Flea Finder app, has been meeting so many talented passionate people who love what they do. This series of Brimfield Dealer Profiles will highlight a small sample of dealers that can be found using the app. I'm thrilled to help shine a little more light on these businesses that they work so hard building and running every day.

Knock on Wood

Eclectic mix of antiques, custom reproduction furniture and unique home decor. The Meadows, site 88. Use the Brimfield Flea Finder app to find Knock on Wood at the show or their contact info between shows.

If you are familiar with Brimfield you probably know that The Meadows has some of the largest single-dealer tents at the show. If you aren't familiar, now you know! Some of the tents are massive in comparison to the booths on other fields and the set ups are quite impressive. The Knock on Wood tent is one of the big ones towards the back. And while The Meadows has a mix of styles, it is probably best known for mid century and industrial dealers. Knock on Wood has their own unique style that I would describe as country farmhouse with a heavy European influence. The impeccable craftsmanship put into their reproductions makes them look right at home next to the authentic antique pieces.

Brimfield Dealer Profile: the good home

One of my favorite parts of developing the Brimfield Flea Finder app, has been meeting so many talented passionate people who love what they do. This series of Brimfield Dealer Profiles will highlight a small sample of dealers that can be found using the app. I'm thrilled to help shine a little more light on these businesses that they work so hard building and running every day.

the good home
New England sourced vintage and antiques with an emphasis on housewares, tools, small furniture and linens. Quaker Acres, site 82. Use the Brimfield Flea Finder app to find the good home booth at the show or their contact info between shows.

Richard and Nancy Lucier are the dynamic duo behind the good home. Unlike most of the dealers in the app who we met over the past two years, I have known Richard and Nancy for 35 years. They are one of the main reasons we live in Massachusetts, why we are so involved with Brimfield and what inspired us to create the app. They are my parents. So I might be a little biased, but I think they are pretty great!

July 2015 Show Recap

Before we had time to decompress from the show, we were off to the Cape for a lovely much needed getaway! That gave us a little time to reflect back on the show. 

It's almost impossible to sum up any Brimfield show in a way that everyone agrees with. The show is so big and means different things to different people. When you get around the entire show as much as we do, it becomes clear that everyone really does experience it differently. Most dealers have their own set of July-specific expectations. Although the show did seem fairly typical for July, we did hear from quite a few of our dealers that the show surpassed their expectations and sales rivaled a May or September show. Those dealers were very happy! Others were not as pleased. And the heat and humidity always makes some people a little cranky. 

Our Day at The Vintage Bazaar

On Saturday, Ryan and I dropped the girls off at their grandparent's right after breakfast and headed to The Vintage Bazaar in Salisbury, MA. This was kind of a big deal. This was my first full day away from my 18 month old and only my second full day away from my 3.5 year old since they were born. We are slowly working our way up to an overnight eventually! As much as we clearly adore those two crazy creatures, a peaceful car ride, no diapers, no toddler potty emergencies and only having to feed ourselves was very welcome. The fact that the VB was an amazing event and the weather was perfect were just bonuses!

This was our first time attending the VB and throughout the day we kept comparing it to Brimfield because...well, that's just what we do! Here's what we came up with!

Welcome to Life to the Brim!

Well, this is it. My very first blog post on my very first blog. I'm going to start with a confession. I don't follow a ton of blogs. I have no idea what people say in their initial posts. I was going to do some research to find out but then I decided I would just wing it! I didn't want to overthink it or have a strategy. So here it goes! 

This blog will be a place where a lot of my interests intersect. Will it be too general? Possibly. But if you are interested in Brimfield, vintage and antiques, home decor, cute kids, DIY projects, New England, vintage campers, food or nice people, you will probably like it. I hope you do!

I came up with the name for the blog because I think it's fun play on words. Brimfield is a big part of our life these days.  That's for sure.  But our life is full to the brim in so many other ways.  It's full of beauty. Full of building memories. Full of long term plans and short term obstacles. Full of parenting successes and fails. Full of figuring things out as we go. We are always trying to get the most out of everything we do without losing sight of what we already have and we have two precocious girls who keep us in check. They simultaneously make time speed up and force us to slow down. 

We are just a few weeks away from switching over to full Brimfield mode again (how did that happen already?!). Summer hasn't even officially started yet but it already feels like it's flying by. We have so much going on and it gets crazy (to say the least) at times but our life truly is full to the brim in so many ways.  I hope you enjoy hearing a little bit about our adventures and will follow along or stop by now and then to check in!

Here's an overview of posts you can expect to see over the next few weeks:

• Highlights from The Vintage Bazaar
• Our vintage camper renovation
• Brimfield FleaFinder App update
• Before and after of a recent craigslist find using Cari Cucksey's Chroma•Color™ Paint
• Detailed Brimfield Dealer Profiles of some of our favorite dealers just in time for the July show!