To market, to market!

The Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market....... ahh a heaven for bargain hunters! A trip to the flea market can be a delightful treat, but can be daunting when faced with hundreds and thousands of vendors ready to sell their wares. Rose Bowl itself has over 2,500 sellers and the numbers are steadily growing! Market trips can also be very tasking to the body if you're ill-prepared. So here are a few tips to consider before taking off:

1. Set a fixed budget
2. Study the layout and walk the market in an organized way
3. Know what you want
4. Don't get distracted
   
5. Come early
   

This upcoming Sunday, I am prepared to scour the racks and the bins for vintage couture clothing and accessories. Buying vintage apparel is very different from getting antique furniture. Look for quality and inquire about an item's history. This should help you pinpoint its place in time (60's? 70's? Old Hollywood? Ethnic?) and figure out its true value. Follow your instincts... is this vintage Dior coat really worth $100? Inspect items carefully for rips, stains, or odors... these will cause headaches when its time to reconstruction and resell. Then bargain away!



If you go:

Rose Bowl Flea Market

1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena

The second Sunday of the month, from 5 am til 4:30 pm (admission is $20 from 5-7 am, $15 from 7-8 am, $10 from 8-9 am, and $7 after 9 am)

2,500 vendors sell each month, and there is plentiful free parking, and ATMs on site but hit one before you go. ATMs charge high fees. Bring water and snacks as the parking lots get very hot.

Do you have a favorite flea market or swap meet? We’d love to hear about it!