Her legitimacy in the magazine industry may be debatable (did she really work for Elle or was it all fake?), but Olivia Palermo can definitely put together an outfit to die for. We admit that we fast forward through most of The City except, of course, when Olivia was on.
Olivia’s closet
We can watch her do just about anything for half an hour as long as she looks fabulous. Someone give this girl her own show!
Olivia’s apartment
She shops anywhere and everywhere, from Zara and Topshop to Chanel and Hermes to New York City’s eclectic vintage shops. Every serious fashionista collects vintage. And, this is what separated Olivia Palermo from all the other characters on The City (and The Hills). While everyone else seemed very pedestrian fashion-wise, Olivia was always refined and well-accessorized. This is not due to her superior financial situation, but rather to her incredible knowledge of costume jewelry and a willingness to shop everywhere. “My aunt [Linda Donahue] is a costume jewelry expert, so I understand that it’s just as valuable as real jewelry,” she told Page Six.
Olivia wearing a mix of vintage and contemporary
Olivia shopping for vintage and wearing the CC SKYE’s Pave Stud Bracelet
She frequently visits stores like Topshop and Banana Republic for costume jewelry that resembles vintage. “When I have a replica of a vintage costume piece, I put it in the sun and let it age for a month, just to have it tarnish,” Olivia told Time Out New York. She also frequents New York City’s vintage spots in search of statement pieces. Olivia masterfully mixes vintage with contemporary pieces. We love how she combined her CC Skye (her favorite!) “Starburst” bracelet with a vintage Trifari. Known for bright and colorful gems, Trifari dates back to 1918 and is highly coveted by vintage collectors like Olivia.
Olivia wearing vintage dress clips
Vintage Ruby Crystal Clip-on Earrings
We love Olivia’s attention to detail and how she utilizes every single opportunity to make a statement. The way she styled her dress collar with two twin vintage brooches is beyond brilliant. We have gorgeous vintage Trifari pieces that resemble Olivia’s: a gorgeous bright gem gold bracelet and an incredible butterfly brooch and earring set.
Olivia wearing vintage TRIFARI and CC Skye Starburst Bangles
Vintage TRIFARI bracelet
Other pieces sought by vintage hunters are by Ciner and Hattie Carnegie. Ciner dates back to 1892, with pieces so intricately made that it is often mistaken for fine jewelry. For most fashion enthusiasts, Hattie Carnegie needs no introduction. This legendary fashion entrepreneur started out as a milliner and soon expanded her business to clothing and jewelry, garnering a loyal following by many style icons including the Duchess of Windsor. We just received an incredible Hattie Carnegie bracelet with green and red glass surrounded by rhinestones and faux pearls and matching earrings and the stunning green gem and rhinestone necklace and earring set by Ciner.
Vintage HATTIE CARNEGIE Cabochon Bracelet
Vintage HATTIE CARNEGIE Pearl and Rhinestone Earrings
Vintage CINER Marbled Emerald Set
But there are also beautiful vintage pieces to be found by ‘no name’ designers or simply designers that didn’t put their names to their work. Olivia often visits Pippin Vintage Jewelry in New York City where she rummages through drawers full of glittering vintage baubles. She has perfected the fine art of mixing vintage with current, a girl after our own heart. And that is why Olivia Palermo is our style icon.
PS. We love her so much that we are going to have to do a Part 2!
