Beaumelle, Jack Bryan and Lilli Diamond dresses make a statement at any event to which they’re worn—and they’re not quiet about it. Wearers need not speak for dresses like these to tell their stories. Quality, design and splashes of color say everything there is to know about the lives of California’s fashionable set in the mid-20th century. They say just as much about those decked out in the same couture today. “Vintage is transcendent,” says Tiffany Allegro, owner of vintage reseller popup Moxie Vintage. “What sets it apart is it doesn’t follow any trends.” Instead, vintage is the trend. Hollywood has recently been flaunting fashion from the past. Ariana Grande, for example, appeared at a dinner given for Oscar nominees in an Yves Saint Laurent gown from 1991. On a press tour, she sported a Lilli Diamond dress from the 1950s. And she is just one example. At the now biannual Vintage in the Valley event in Carmel Valley, it’s not just garments on display. Resellers present jewelry, watches and footwear, from heels to boots. The vast majority of vintage resellers only exist in the online ecosystem of Instagram, Etsy and some—like Moxie— are launching independent websites. But men’s vintage purveyor Andrew Chugg operates a retail location, Wally’s Men’s Vintage & More, in Carmel. His wife, Jordan, also recently opened the women’s vintage shop Valentine in Carmel Valley. Chugg’s collection seeks to capture— or perhaps preserve—the lifestyle of Monterey County, particularly the commingling of Bohemian chic and cowboy between Carmel and the valley. “A lot of cultures are jammed into a little peninsula between locals and visitors alike,” Chugg says. “What separates a good vintage store and a great vintage store is that a great one will accurately reflect the history.” According to Vogue, pieces from the early to mid-20th century—Hollywood’s glamor era—are particularly hot right now, but more recent fashion is not out of fashion, either. There is growing interest in looks from the 2010s, as well. Those who follow fashion trends suggest that an interest in sustainability is one factor behind the vogue for vintage. But the quality of materials is also attractive. Mostly, however, people are drawn to the uniqueness of the attire; the floralpattern dresses, the dinner jackets—the pieces are not from collections. They 26 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® HAVEN 2026-2027 Classic Style HIGH-END VINTAGE FASHION PURVEYORS OFFER UNIQUE PIECES THAT TELL STORIES PAST AND PRESENT. By Sloan Campi DANIEL DREIFUSS Lilli Diamond dresses are known for their bold floral prints and effortless California style. Moxie Vintage Co. preserves dresses like these, which are sourced from a shuttered Hollywood costumery. Modeled by Karolina CampbellHadynska.
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