Flea Markets: The Latest Fashion Bug

Whenever I wear my neon peacock print nylon jacket, I notice several intrigued passers-by. Without fail, I’m asked where I bought such a unique piece of fashion. When I respond, “I got it at the Melrose Flea Market,” immediately their expressions turn from envy to disgust. They respond, “Why? Those clothes are dirty!” However, little do they know that flea markets are bastions of fashion rarities.But what is so appealing about going through piles and racks of ugly and stained clothing just to find that one gem? And especially when you can easily find clothes in the clean and organized racks of your local American Apparel or Urban Outfitters? Sure, it can be tedious, time-consuming and frustrating at times, but when you find something you love that fits just right, it can be the best feeling in the world. The experience that is offered at flea markets is unlike any other, and the next-to nothing price makes the clothes all the more appealing.If you’ve ever visited Tumblr, you’ve noticed that you are bombarded with image after image of “vintage art” and “vintage culture.” Now, as a teenager who has fallen under the influence of society’s many trend waves, I see the appeal of wanting to look like these magnificent vintage Tumblr models, and I understand why half of our current generation is so heavily invested in creating this old-timey vintage look for themselves. So when one is looking for articles that emulate this vintage appearance, flea markets are the best place to turn to.In all honesty, there are some negative stereotypes that orbit around the average flea market shopper. They’re inevitably characterized as arrogant and pompous, seeing themselves as superior to the average retail customer. However, this sense of entitlement is a rather recent development. It’s the current generation of teens who will do anything to keep up with the latest trends that is creating this generalization, something that is not at all true for the majority of flea market shoppers.In an earlier time, people who went to flea markets were thought of as too poor to shop at normal retail stores. However, flea markets are now seeing a whole new range of buyers, most of them just teenagers wanting to find cool buys at a great price.  The experience of going to a flea market is a much more invigorating feeling than going to the Gap.Samo student Romie Drori (‘16) is a regular at the many flea markets offered in Los Angeles, and she said that the clothing she wears the most seem to always come from flea markets.“I love flea markets because it’s a different, more special shopping experience than going to the promenade over and over again,” Drori said. “You’re never quite sure what you’ll find or if the sellers will even have your size, but if you get lucky, which you usually do, you come out with great rare items that you can’t get anywhere else.”Flea markets are extremely eclectic venues, to say the least. From giant neon signs circa 1982 to fur coats dating back to 1938, flea markets have something for everyone. Flea market merchant Dharam Damama has been collecting and selling at flea markets for over ten years, and he believes that flea markets are a true form of expression.“I always enjoyed going to flea markets back in the 60s because I could go and search for some weird and unusual item, and eventually over time we bought and collected so many items that we were able to set up a tent of our own and it’s been that way ever since,” Damama said. “When I look back at all of the different items I’ve collected over the years, I think it really is an accurate representation of myself and everything I believe in.”bross@thesamohi.com