It’s no secret we love Kansas City and the Midwest. Like, love love. Even though neither of us officially live there, it keeps calling to us. The boulevards, the fountains, the Midcentury homes, the delicious hummus, the VINTAGE. Kansas City has got it going on. And it always has. This is the city that gave us Nelly Don, Kate Spade, and Jeremy Scott - just to name a few. Yes, of course, New York/LA has amazing vintage. Desert vintage, Arcade, etc are inspiring in their collections and their POV. As much as we love to look, the price point and disconnect from our daily activities doesn’t speak to us as much as finding a great used pair of Wranglers does. Enter Kansas City!
This past weekend we returned to our beloved city to sling our wares at Attire Vintage Market, a gathering of 35 vendors selling the best vintage KC has to offer. Our goals were simple: sell as much Aux Etoiles vintage as we can, find some gems of our own, specifically designer pieces, vintage sweatshirts, and vintage tees, and spend some time with our lovely fellow vintage vendors (who coincidentally are mostly Virgos, but that’s an entirely different post).
Boy, did we find some great pieces. And we could have taken home more, but Kara only brought one carryon and Tracy is out of closet space. The bottom line, KC (and surely mid size cities everywhere) offer an unassuming and FUN vintage shopping experience. Take a look at these beauties!
Kara’s Finds

Clockwise: 1. St. John Knit Pants from Soft Heart Vintage, 2. Valentino Chemise from Lucky no. 8 Vintage, 3. Go Big Red from Verafied Vintage, and 4. a look from yours truly, Aux Etoiles Vintage!
Maria at Soft Heart Vintage has the most beautiful pieces and this pair St. John knit pants is no exception. They look amazing with pretty much everything and they are the perfect dark espresso color. In the pic above I’m wearing with one of our sweaters. I also have worn the pants under a dress too, which was stunning.
Here are some St. John pants options (High Sport be damned, the knit pant game goes way back!): Shimmery Black Pair; Burgundy; Cobalt Blue.
Picture two is the most amazing and well worn cotton Valentino shirt from Lucky 8 vintage. This guy GETS it. Wearing with MNZ dance pants and metallic Jacques Levine slippers from our shop.
Of course I had to get this vintage GBR shortsleeve sweatshirt! Styled with vintage 517s from Wildman Vinage in Lawrence, KS. This is a destination spot! Levis for $26?!
Last pic is stuff from our shop that did not get got at the market! Something about seeing these items in the windy Kansas spring inspired this fit. Windbreaker as top and chill nylon pants: easy to wear, easy to style.
Tracy’s Finds
Clockwise:
Alligator 1. Escada Sweater from Gilded Chaos, 2. 70s Hofbräuhaus Munich t-shirt from From: Flanigan, 3. Wisconsin sweatshirt from Verafied Vintage, and 4. DVF blouse from Lucky No. 8 Vintage.
Is there anything better than an over- the-top piece from Escada? When I popped by Gilded Chaos and saw this babe, I stopped dead in my tracks. Also, when I see an Escada piece with the “Made in W. Germany” tag, I know I’m in business because it’s pre-1990. Of course I bought it and wore it the very next day with some thrashed Wranglers and a London Fog trench because I am very classy.
You can find the sweater on Etsy and it’s on sale through April 2.Continuing with the Germany theme, I spied this perfectly 70s Hofbräuhaus t-shirt from From: Flanigan. It’s a thick tee with a scoop neck - perfect for evenings spent hoisting mugs of beer or a casually Saturday stroll with a vintage Banana Republic trench.
Here’s a more recent scoop neck-style Hofbräuhaus tee on Ebay.Speaking of beer, how about this Wisconsin sweatshirt from Verafied Vintage? I’m always happy to rep my alma mater and it was fun to buy a sweatshirt from the Big 10’s other (and original) “Big Red.” I’m wearing it here with a suede skirt, but honestly, I think i could wear it with just about anything. On Wisconsin!
Here’s a similar style hoodie on Ebay.When Jordan from Lucky No. 8 Vintage and I bonded over the exquisite fashion and problematic colonialism of both Out of Africa and 80s Banana Republic, I wondered if I’d met a kindred spirit. Then I saw Valentino, Escada, and this Diane Von Furstenberg on his racks and I knew I had. Plus, Target launched the DVF collection that day, so this cobalt blouse was meant to be. Perfect with a trench.
Find multiple versions and colors of the blouse on Etsy, Poshmark, and Etsy again.
More Kansas City-Area Vintage Sellers
Most of these sellers sell online, so you can shop KC vintage from the comfort of your home. And, seriously, don’t overlook the mid-size city for fashion, food and fun. KC has always had an artsy vibe (Hallmark started here!), which might get overlooked at the moment because of the Chiefs and their fan.
Arizona Trading Co., Lawrence and Kansas City
Check them out and prepare to be inspired!
I love the windbreaker outfit!!