I grabbed a copy of this book by chance before a long train journey, and by the time I was back in London, I was thoroughly sucked in and thought it was definitely worth a mention here. Part memoir, part vintage shopping guide, 'Alligators, Old Mink & New Money' is a unique look at one woman's journey from strutting on the catwalks of Paris to opening a quirky vintage boutique in Brooklyn. If you love shopping for second hand bargains and vintage classics, Alison Houtte's tips on where to shop and what to look out for are great, and the characters you meet throughout the story - from her homeless handyman to her outrageous regular customers - will keep you hooked to the story.
What's great about Houtte is her passion for vintage isn't all about perfectly kept archive pieces wrapped tissue paper and never truly enjoyed. She's just as pleased to find an old nightie covered in mud as she is a stunning Alligator handbag (her big passion). She believes vintage clothes should be worn and not collected and you get the feeling her shop - Hooti Couture - is a goldmine of great finds at good prices.
Read this, and you'll think very differently next time you step into a vintage store or thrift shop, I promise you!
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