This post is brought to you by 1stDibs.
I am a big proponent of the Notes app. Mine is full of a potpourri of thoughts and feelings — lyrics from songs I love; art ideas; half-written poems; unfinished emails to those who have wronged me (!); and keyword terms I want to remember.
I keep so many lists of keywords to search on sites like 1stDibs — brands, phrases, and terms that I’ll spot in a magazine article, or on Instagram, or when shopping at antique malls.
My most-searched-for keyword term right now? “YSL tassels.”
I have a thing for tassels and I am not the only one. Back in February, I rounded up all the keywords and brands I search to find jewelry that looks like Juju Vera (a brand sold on sites like Moda Operandi that is not only pricey, but always sold out). A lot of Juju Vera pieces have tassels. Because they’re back, baby.
I recently thrifted a tasseled lamp I love and got more than a few comments pleading with me to “lose the tassels.” To that, I say, simply, NO.
Here’s the deal: We are embracing tassels in 2025. Setting up eBay alerts for them. Scouring estate sales for them. They are in, they look very now, and there are some vintage collections that just did tassels right.
Among them is Yves Saint Laurent, which has used a lot of tassels over the years. I am especially partial to their tasseled necklaces but they also used the accessory on hats, jackets, and belts.
Above, clockwise from left: 1970s top and pants with tassel belt, vintage YSL Opium perfume pendant necklace, pink handbag, red hat
Above, clockwise from left: blue tassel bolero jacket, multicolored tassel earrings, tassel belt with bag attached, Opium necklace (under $230)
Above, clockwise from left: black belt, black and red tassel earrings, heart tassel bag
Tip: Another good keyword search, particularly for vintage YSL necklaces, is to search “YSL Opium necklace,” “Yves Saint Laurent Opium necklace,” or simply, “Opium necklace.” Opium is the brand’s most iconic fragrance and YSL made a lot of Opium merchandise (i.e. free gifts with purchase) in the 1980s and 90s. Those necklaces may have been free when they were introduced but these days they go for hundreds if not thousands. “YSL fringe” is another good search, as people often refer to tassels as fringe. And be sure you search both “YSL” and “Yves Saint Laurent.” You’ll turn up different results for both!
And here are some other 1stDibs finds I am really into right now, just because they’re pretty and I have them all bookmarked:
Above, from left: (top row) Iris candelabra, Charlotte Perriand table lamp, marble tray; (middle) hot brass small vase, Calderoni Gioielli swan shell sculpture, Christian Dior by Robert Goossens oversized shell necklace; (bottom) solid bronze male torso, ceramic turquoise tissue box, 1957 swan art
Also, I want to say thank you to all the new subscribers and those who offered well wishes on three years of What’s Left. I started this newsletter as a way to introduce the world to my first book, Big Thrift Energy, and to share my thrift finds and secondhand shopping tips on a more regular cadence. But it’s grown a lot since — now, I share other people’s best finds ever, and go live once a week to chat all things thrifting. But I want this to be a place where we can all chat vintage. And in the spirit of that, I hope you’ll join the subscriber chat and share the items you’re looking to sell! I’ll launch a new thread every Wednesday and you can respond with whatever you’re selling — clothing, housewares, whatever. Just leave a short description, photo, measurements — and those who are interested in the item can DM the seller directly.
Odds & Ends
A discount code for great jeans: I recently shared the Piral jeans I am in love with and the brand sent me a code. Right on time, as they just re-stocked. These sold out completely a couple of weeks ago. Use VIRGINIA15 for 15% off anything on the site.
In my cart: I have fallen in love with Quince’s new bedding collection. The striped duvet cover is my cart currently, along with the incredibly luxe feather mattress topper and the cashmere checkerboard bouclé throw. (sponsored mention)
A recent house cleaning purchase: As far as toilet cleaners go, this one is definitely the most sophisticated I’ve seen. Plus, it’s non-toxic, eco-friendly, and under $25.
Your new springtime beverage: If you want to be the most popular person at your friend’s dinner party, bring this very chic boxed wine. I know, I know…boxed wine is usually weird. This one is not. The boxes are 1.5 liters (plenty for everyone) and they come in actually delicious flavors (there’s an orange variety — currently in my cabinet — a dry rosé, pinot noir, chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, and a Cabernet Sauvignon). The packaging is really great, too.
Something old: Rimowa (the beloved, very chic and utilitarian — and expensive — luggage brand) has unveiled Pre-Loved Luggage. You can shop used luggage for as low as $600 but as of now, it appears to already be sold out. Does look like they’ll be adding more to the site, though.
The perfect vintage button down: One of my fave Substackers, Lindsay Sword, alerted us all to Brooks Brother’s new vintage shop, a tight curation of 125 hand-selected vintage button-downs by the brand. There are men’s, women’s and kid’s varieties but they are already selling out so act fast if you want one.
A fun thing I did: I went on a two-hour road trip with a manatee and I wrote about it for PEOPLE. One of the coolest experiences of my life, no doubt. I am incredibly fortunate.
Manatee roadtrip for PEOPLE, Virginia!? Get out! So cool!
Love the tassels! That pink outfit reminds me of Megan in 'Mad Men'.
LOVE tassels! This was so good Virginia!!!