You’ll find that Kara’s account is filled with colorful looks reminiscent of that summer vacation we haven’t taken yet. She loves to highlight the pieces she owns from local and/or independent BIPOC and women-owned businesses.
Kara’s style services merge her experiences as a digital creator, bold color lover, sustainability advocate, and merchandiser. She styles campaigns for brands with a like-minded focus on ethical manufacturing, inclusivity, and conscious consumerism. Additionally, she offers virtual wardrobe consultations that include closet audits, advice on how to donate items in a sustainable way, suggestions on how to repurpose or rework that one piece you just can’t seem to get rid of, and a curated list of sustainable brands based on your lifestyle, color choices, likes/dislikes, etc. Welcome Kara to today's discussion which centers around choosing to gift UNIQUE items that already exist and have a history.
TAKE IT AWAY KARA!!!!!
As we settle into the new year post-holidays, post-Valentines, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how you’re currently feeling.
Relief?
Exhaustion?
Annoyance?
A little existentialism?
All of these feelings are valid! Especially with the state of our world taking its toll on our mental health, while still carrying the imposed pressure to maintain the very on-brand status quo of—yes, I’m about to go there—over-consumption.
The thoughts that run through my head every time another highly commercialized holiday comes around the corner are plenty and often contradictory.
“Do I really need to be forced into giving people new items when every other person I know is struggling/getting laid off?”
“But my love language IS gift-giving!”
“I’m actually pretty broke right now, can we just skip gifts altogether?”
“This is the year I can finally convince more of my family to be ok with gifting secondhand!”
On the subject of my love language being gift giving–it’s true. I remember when I first started dating my husband all those years ago, and we’d curate music playlists onto CD’s (yes, CD’s!) that spoke to us, sharing not-so-subtle hints about these new and exciting feelings we had towards one another.
Whenever I travel to a foreign country, I always try to get my best girlfriends a piece of jewelry as a token of my appreciation for their impact on my life. I’ll scour all the jewelry shops and local markets to find just the right style that feels like an extension of each friend’s personality.
Even moreso, I’ll heavily research the best thrift shops or vintage markets from CDMX to Madrid, because not only am I immersing myself in the fashion culture, but I more often than not find something unique beyond the tourist shops and high fashion streets.
With overconsumption at an all-time high, especially during special occasions, gifting can feel more like a race for time, an obligation, rather than this fulfilling joy of showing someone you care. And that was always the point wasn’t it? That gifting is personal.
Oftentimes, the art of finding the perfect gift, be it Valentine’s, an anniversary, or the dreaded December season of back to back events, can feel at best monotonous, and at worst physically, emotionally, & financially draining. Even more frustrating is how competitive it can all be. Gifting is often marketed alongside current trends. Trends that seem to come and go even quicker than an Amazon shipment, sometimes.
But what if we stopped to sift through all the marketing emails, gift list articles from R29 that often include the nearly identical products from various fast fashion corporations, & microtrends on *insert it girl influencer here_________*? What if we actually stopped to think about the person we are gifting for rather than what the “best, most trendy” gift should be?
If you know me, you know I’ve been on this imperfect journey of sustainability for years now.
From promoting conscious brands, to advocating for fair pay for garment workers both here and abroad, to disrupting the styling industry as a stylist who sources mainly secondhand, locally, and from conscious brands. So, whenever the holidays approach I always feel conflicted about this pressure to gift new for friends and family who just don’t seem to be on the same bandwagon of conscious consumerism.
This year, I recently became an ambassador for the incredible organization, Remake. If you don’t know them already you absolutely should. They have consistently fought the good fight to uplift garment workers’ rights for years now, and I participated in their #NoNewClothes campaign, even organizing a secondhand styling and shopping event in partnership with them and local vintage sellers including Porter.
It feels good to be a part of implementing a shift in shopping habits, even on a local level. Yet the numbers are clear— In 2020 alone, according to the Optoro 2020 Impact Report, consumer returns in the US created 5.8 billion pounds of landfill waste which resulted in 16M metric tons of CO2 emitted from returns transportation.
Which brings me back to gifting and the pressure to buy new. While, of course, those stats don’t just directly equate to gift-giving alone, it’s a reminder of how often those very same new items that you’re spending hours in line or in online queues for are simply not as valued. I can’t tell you the number of times I told my uncles, aunts, and even my parents that I don’t need more new clothes only to have a ton of Macy’s knits and scarves sitting in a pile waiting to be swapped or repurposed.
I used to feel guilty for not being as grateful growing up, but just like we work through practicing boundaries in therapy, we must work towards finding the root cause of said guilt (hello, 1st generation scarcity mindset!) and then eventually effecting change within our own communities.
What does that look like? For me, it was being real about my financial circumstances without shame and telling loved ones we wouldn’t be gifting or wanting much (after all, gifting new often equates to status and there’s still much to work through as a society with the stigma around secondhand gifting.) Maybe next year, it’ll be implementing and enforcing online wishlists for my parents and in-laws. For you, it might simply have been sparking a conversation of how low the quality of clothes has become in recent decades. If you’re reading this, you are probably aware of that fact, and you’re already practicing conscious consumption by shopping from local sellers like Porter Vintage whether you realize it or not. You’ll notice how much longer lasting vintage brands are compared to that Zara designer dupe whose seams probably fray all too quickly. That knowledge alone can get your parents or in-laws, who grew up with less clothes on average in their closets than us, to ruminate over where they’re gifting from next year.
Maybe we don’t have all the perfect answers in 2024 when it comes to de-stigmatizing secondhand gifting. But secondhand shopping, although an imperfect industry, is becoming more normalized with Gen Z and beyond. The fact that over half of U.S. consumers alone shopped secondhand apparel in 2022 (Thred Up) and the projected number for the secondhand market in 2027 is $70 billion is something to be hopeful about.
And, on that positive note, if you’re looking for a place to start your journey as secondhand consumer or you’re already a seasoned second hand shopper but having trouble gifting for that special someone… Porter Vintage is your place to start! Stop by their weekly weekend pop up in the Mission or hit them up online to book a consultation with stylist and owner Katie Porter.
May your 2024 be abundant, thoughtful, and filled with secondhand gems.
Much love,
Kara
Kara at the PORTER Popup at City Station Parking lot on Valencia and 18th
I love photographing people like Kara who are willing to LIVE and move in their outfits because essentially life is not a step and repeat. We're busy doing shit.
Like many fans and shoppers of Vintage, Kara's outfits are inspired by what she can find, not by 'TRENDS'. She's a true artist and creator curating basically fashion sculptures with what she finds.
Kara and our fearless leader, Katie holding one of my weird paintings. Shopping local is not just supporting your community. It's INFUSING with your community. So many people meet here at the pop-up. They forge relationships, friendships, working partnerships or just get their people watching fix. It's beautiful.
Speaking of THE pop-up, here she is. COME ON DOWN every weekend from 12-6pm Friday - Sunday at City Station Parking lot at Valencia and 18th (701 Valencia street, San Francisco CA) and say hi to Katie, Celine, Rhone, Denise or Summer xoxoxo
]]>First of all, please note, we are not here to air pet peeves. This discussion is meant to be informative and illuminating for those not in the biz, and also an opportunity for us to hear from some of our vintage slingin’ buds.
Every weekend we get to hear “feedback” regarding our prices. Some of the comments we hear are, of course, more gracious than others… to those who take the time to thank us for our collection, consistency and reasonable prices: many MANY thanks. Whether you're shopping or not, that kind of feedback is not only treasured but also very helpful and reassuring that our efforts are in the right place. Here’s what I wish we could tell every person who looks at the price and decides it’s too high, especially those who chose to throw around comments that we can overhear: our prices are informed, intentional, and based on a number of factors. We completely understand if something is out of your budget and we work hard to accommodate every price point. We are also happy to help you find what you’re looking for whether that means checking our collection or directing you to another vendor in our amazing community.
Each item is hand selected to be here, at this pop up, in the Mission, for our shoppers. We started curating specifically for outdoor pop ups in the mission 7 years ago when Katie was doing pop ups in her driveway. The same intention and care goes for our collection at 710 Collective, our website and our upcoming showroom. Selections, like pricing, are based on years of experience, trial and error, and our love of ORIGINAL styling. We love throwing a wild card in just to see who goes for it and how they style it… we see you josh and your circus pants! 💛
Back to pricing… more to consider before you say ‘that thing’ out loud. Certain items are very hard to find and not only do we hunt tirelessly, we also have a web of connections as a result of years in the biz. One friend recently sourced some great boots for PORTER in Utah. Another sent us to a woman selling a pair on facebook marketplace. We have an out of state boot connection from a tip from a lovely shopper. Our feelers are always out there because of the business we show up and do every day. And we want you to be as THRILLED as we are by what we are able to bring to our sweet corner in the mission. Whether that’s baby blue cowboy boots sourced in Tulum, bubblegum pink boots from SLC or our growing collection of rare UFO rave pants sourced from all over- we HUNT to get you that epic shit.
PORTER vintage has officially been in this biz for 7 years (though if you know the story we could call it a family biz that started before Katie was even born). During this journey we’ve made some wonderful colleagues, roll models, and friends and wanted their take on the price of vintage.
Pilar of Bodega No. 3 is a vendor we've always admired and have had the pleasure of collaborating with in the past. Her collection should not be missed! In our discussion on pricing Pilar she mentioned some great points we left out. Regarding the price of vintage, here's what she has to say: “Bodega No. 3 was started in 2019 but I’ve been selling vintage/antiques most of my life. My uncle owned an antique store and I was his helper. I am intentional about the garments I sell, sourcing quality pieces that have a lot of life left in them. I also try to keep my prices as accessible as possible. I would urge those customers to think about the work that it goes into prolonging the life of an existing garment. Vintage sellers often source, clean, mend, tag, research, wait in line, find gross things in pockets, hang, photograph, etc etc etc before an item makes it to the website or event. Prices are often based on all those factors and also that we still need to pay ourselves in order to continue our business. I love my customers and anyone who has ever supported Bodega No. 3. Most vintage sellers do, so be nice to us 😘.” Side note- we’ve watched via her instagram, @bodega_no3, the great length Pilar goes in cleaning the garments she sells, including deep bathtub soaks and expert methods. You can shop Bodega No. 3 online, shopbodegano3.com, and at a variety of bay area events- follow her instagram for updates.
Next we picked the brain of the queen. Or rather the Tangerine Queen! Here's Katelyn’s thoughts on pricing her colorful and one of a kind collection. “I have been a stylist for 10+ years, wearing vintage for about that same amount of time. I began selling vintage almost three years ago! My vintage shopping addiction stemmed from me seeking out a way to wear as high of quality of clothing as my styling clients while balling on a budget. The script soon flipped and my clients began envying my one-of-a-kind finds. Come 2020 when the world turned upside down and I was furloughed from two separate fashion start-ups, I decided to start slinging vintage alongside my styling services.
When it comes to price, I always try to educate shoppers on what it is they are paying for... If you want to purchase a silk blouse, there is a spectrum of options available for you, each balancing time and money (among other things). You could purchase a new silk blouse online in a jiffy and spend hundreds. You could go thrifting for hours and spend pennies. Shopping vintage is that sweet spot in between. Each piece I carry in my shop is carefully curated for its uniqueness and quality and is priced thoughtfully and fairly. I sort through the nitty-gritty, less glamorous places to find the diamonds in the rough so my shoppers don't have to! Instead of paying market value for silk, you pay me for my time and efforts to curate a beautiful selection of great quality pieces. Instead of spending your time and energy digging through endless thrift stores, you have the delightful shopping experience of browsing my vibrant, colorful showroom.
For shoppers who give push back on price, I simply thank them for supporting small business and respecting how much time and effort goes into what we do! If they value spending less money over spending their time, we are lucky to live in a city where there is an abundance of options for shopping second-hand and I am always happy to recommend an option that may better suit their needs.” You can shop Tangerine Queen online, TangerineQueen.com, and at her exceptionally vibrant and stunning showroom at 1779 Union St. San Francisco - follow her instagram @TangerineQueenVintage for updates.
For those of you who’ve made it this far, thank you. It's fascinating diving into all the aspects of this business we love. We simply ADORE our community… youre why we're here. You're the reason we get to do what we love and continue growing as a business and as people. We plan on continuing these discussions and sharing the bts content that causes us to think and learn and explore the curious layers where this business leads us both in vintage and beyond…🚀👽✨
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I grew up with the woman I refer to as my magical aunt Lizzy. Lots of you have heard of her and some have even met her! (More about Lizzy to come cause believe us when we say she is LEGENDARY) Lizz owns a women's resale store and has been in the business for over 40 years. We could basically say Porter Vintage started the very first time she sent me a box that, upon opening, transported me to a world of fabulous textures and sparkles and make believe and fun!
(Lizzy)
One of our classic family stories is the time Lizz sent a box containing wild 80s pieces (think biggg shoulder pads and puff paint) that were definitely on the sexually suggestive side (mind you I’m 6 years old at the time) and my mom wanted to kill her… I LOVE hearing lizz tell that one. So anyway, Porter Vintage essentially started as a dress up box that I got to share with my friends… and now it's a very similar thing right?! Definitely still a magical and creative experience. Perhaps a bit more refined:)
(baby Katie)
So yes- I grew up in secondhand clothing… over my lifespan I’ve become accustomed to the higher quality of clothing that was made earlier (I pretty much only wear natural fibers these days) and what it’s like getting to create my personal style from a wide selection of eras and aesthetics, (as opposed to one style reproduced in colors and styles etc) It's definitely a unique way of developing one’s personal style and closet that forces a certain type of creativity and open mindedness.
I had times, especially high school and college, when I didn't want to wear used clothing or at least didn't want my friends to know that what I was wearing was secondhand. These were the days of… THE MALL… and Abercrombie and American Eagle and Bebe and Victoria’s Secret 5 for $25 thongs… but most of what I wore was secondhand (amazing stuff) or from Ross (your girl has always loved a bargain #gotitfrommymama )… glad I grew out of that weird (but understandable given the times) insecurity and so stoked that we're in a time when it's not just acceptable to dress used or vintage but trendy!
The kids love to thrift!! We have our shoppers who have shopped vintage for years and we have those who are new to the game! I love meeting people who say things like ‘I made a New Year’s resolution to only buy used.’ That’s awesome for so many reasons! It takes practice and we’re here to help!! And learn! We’ve got some seriously stylish shoppers (I see you babes) and we’re taking notes too. They know what they're looking for and I love watching them shop and surprise me with their selections. And we have our shoppers who are new to shopping used and want some guidance … we are here for all of you.
It's so fun when you can tell somebody is new to wearing secondhand clothing and just encourage them to try things. Try new things!! That’s definitely something I learned from Lizzy (and Carrie Bradshaw). A lot of vintage designer pieces are made so incredibly well than when it actually hits your body those lines are magic. I’ve definitely had the joy of watching people come into their own personal style.
Lately I’ve been styling clients for vacations which, let me tell you, is dreamy af. I have shoppers whose personal styles have evolved shopping with Porter and they’ve shared with me how much we’ve meant in their lives… Hearing the impact we've had as a business and community in somebody's life, it makes me unimaginably happy. And we get to watch people bond over the vintage shopping experience!!! Friends make dates and meet each other to shop at the popup- and I’ve seen people meet and become friends! Folks will stop on the street to compliment an outfit they see someone trying on… There's this whole element of warmth and community that comes from being in the pop-ups. We get to watch you experience the same joy in shopping vintage that we do!!
So it's majorly exciting to be re-launching the website because we will be bringing that sense of joy and community into our online offerings! I’m so excited to have our CMO Summer Kellogg guiding us in this Porter digital journey; we have wonderful and exciting treats coming for ya bbs!!! And some very special web exclusive collections. I love my clothes. And I love investing in pieces I know I’ll wear and cherish and have some wild times in! I love our Porter besties and love making new ones every weekend! I love this vintage life and I love watching y’all WEAR EPIC SHIT!!
Love,
Katie
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Thank you again!!! Ya'll were so beautiful.
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We're glad you could join us. We're here because of you. You've created this community at the POP up that is EXPLOSIVE. Everyone (by everyone, we mean the world) says that the true San Francisco has died. That it's just a tech town. But we politely disagree. It's full of individuals, full of wonder, mystery and artists. We may not pack a punch like New York, but the style in the Mission would rival any goddamn fashion week we've ever seen (and we've been to a few). Only our people aren't out to just be photographed for some fancy show. They are out living their lives. Maybe getting a coffee or a street taco. What's the point here Summer?
We'd like to celebrate that. AND offer a platform to find the treasures you need to dress your best HERE on PORTERVintage.com.
We look forward to bringing you looks to make moments in. After all, fashion is not just clothes we put on, it's livable art. So wear that shit today. DON"T WAIT. Don't wait for the occasion or the right moment. Put it on and get outside. See you out there.
LOVE
Summer
Chief Marketing Officer and your photographer
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