Where Racked Editors Shopped This Week

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Welcome back to Shopping Journal, a new weekly feature where Racked editors share what they're buying and where.

After drinks with a friend in Soho one night, I found myself checking in on Brandy Melville since that's what I always do when I'm in the neighborhood. The brand became an object of fascination for me when I worked at Teen Vogue, and inspired my first big story when I came to Racked.

Nothing was new because nothing is ever really new there —€” the Broadway flagship is still mostly stocked with impossibly soft, exceedingly neutral-toned T-shirts. I didn't see any teenagers shopping at 8 p.m. on a Tuesday, but I did see two very cool-looking adults (one woman, one man) buy sheer windbreakers (yes, SHEER WINDBREAKERS) in pastel pink that read "Malibu, California: Locals Only" (here it is in black).

Also, Brandy's doing a weird Marlboro logo parody thing now. Even without the roof-like (?) graphic, I know what they're getting at! Related: The current embroidery offerings are nowhere near the Not Your Babe or Drake ripoff highs of last year. Unrelated: The store's lone vintage rack remains a hidden gem and currently contains old flannels from Eddie Bauer and Abercrombie. (Does this count as "vintage" though? IDK, man.) —€”Julia Rubin, features editor

I like to tell people that I shop for a living, which considering that I work for Racked, isn't too far-fetched. Sample sales are an actual occupational hazard, which is why I follow one rule before diving into a discounted treasure trove: only purchase things that are 80% off current retail value or under $100, whichever comes first.

Sticking to the rule isn't usually a problem — until I find myself at the Oscar de la Renta sample sale. Though not necessarily my style, I am on a quest to build a grown-up wardrobe, suddenly sure I should have a closet full of Oscar de la Renta. I end up cradling a pair of black lace embroidered pumps that retail for $1,190. Now boasting the low, low price of $75, they follow my rule. But they're still too mature for me, so I tell myself that if I come back at the end and they're still there, it's meant to be.

Alas, on my way back to the table housing the shoes, a woman with an armful of cocktail dresses swooped them up. That grown-up wardrobe will have to wait.—Channing Hargrove, Racked NY associate editor

I had to go to the Veda sample sale for work this week — this is a dangerous job — €”and on my way, repeated that fact: "This is for work!" But then I got there, and found myself rummaging through the damage bin. There was, of course, an olive green Max Army jacket from spring 2014 (shown above), with leather sleeves and a cotton body. The damage tag said DISCOLORATION in all caps, but it looked perfect to me.

I carried it around while I finished checking out everything else and asked my friend Tracy for a second opinion once she arrived. There was, it turns out, some discoloration on the back, an ever-so-slightly faded stripe where the collar flips. We figured it once lived on a store mannequin that got a bit too much sun. But at only $50, it was too good to pass up,€” so now it lives on me.—Laura Gurfein, Racked NY editor

What does an uptight New Yorker with a penchant for black jumpsuits wear to a Coachella Detox Wellness Oasis? That was the question plaguing me last weekend, as I prepped for a trip to Los Angeles to hang with the Racked LA team.

Flower crowns and crochet aren't really my thing, but I decided a Pucci caftan could definitely be my thing for one day in Palm Springs. Luckily they were everywhere at the Manhattan Vintage Show —€” they were also close to $1,000 which is a bit much to drop on what's essentially a costume. I fell into a pile of breathtaking 1930s lingerie and thought, for a minute, that I could totally pull off a black lace nightgown on a Sunday afternoon. But then I realized my occasion shopping was officially out of control and there must be something in my closet (I don't actually have a closet, but that's a story for another day) and high-tailed it out of there before buying something I really didn't need.—Britt Aboutaleb, editor in chief

I've been on vacation all week (New Mexico! Arizona! Palm Springs!) and needed to buy some cut-off denim shorts and funky desert leisurewear for my trip. The Vintage Twin was hosting a pop-up in Soho, so I swung by last Friday. When you visit them IRL (they're predominantly an e-shop), the salespeople will help you sift through all their old Levi's and Wrangler jeans to get the right size and fit. I bought a great pair of super soft cotton cut-offs that I've been wearing for five days straight. They were pricey ($60 —€” I know, I know), but they'll definitely last.

I unfortunately didn't buy this caftan at Matta when I was in the neighborhood and have been regretting it ever since. It'll probably be the first thing I buy once I'm back in New York.—Tiffany Yannetta, managing editor