Thrifty Hunters

There’s a motto in the world of vintage hunting, where curated elegance meets thrift-store chic, and it goes a little something like, “You never forget the piece you didn’t buy.”

“This is the embodiment of, ‘One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,’” local vintage hunter Charlotte Alimanestianu says. “But it’s not really trash. There is a limited quantity and that’s what makes it special.”

Alimanestianu, the Jackson curator of Spaghetti Western…Ish (@spaghettiwesternish), is thinking specifically of a vintage Ralph Lauren button-down shirt. She found it in Japan, of all places, where it immediately caught her attention with its faded cowboy print. This was a legacy brand gone Western, she remembers, found in Asia, and even with limited space in her luggage, she knew it was coming home to Jackson for resale.

“It sold immediately,” she laughs. For a week or two after selling the shirt, she would get messages on Instagram asking if she had another. It was heartbreaking to say “no,” but then again, that is the joy of the hunt.

“I love the details,” Alimanestianu says, “and I love when someone has an emotional reaction to what they find. I want them to say, ‘I love that.’”

Old Treasures, New Style 

Thrifting is nothing new (pun intended), especially in a resort town like Jackson, where you can find everything from busted ski gear to a four-poster bed at Browse N’ Buy, the Teton Habitat ReStore, Headwall Sports and multiple consignment shops, like Alimanestianu’s first vintage employer, Womenfolk.

The most dedicated vintage hunters, however, are always on the hunt. They begin with an aesthetic in mind. For Alimanestianu, it’s “a little city, a little coastal, a little Western.” For Jenna Martin, of Gunther’s Haus (@gunthershaus), it’s inspired by her dog.

“If Gunther had a house, this is what it would be,” Martin says, describing her creative outlet turned side hustle. “It’s moody, provocative, but also a little Euro chic. In Jackson, there is inspiration around us all the time.”

Gunther, a loveable mutt with black-satin fur and droopy ears, would have been into porcelain butter trays painted with arroyo scenes, or lightswitch plates guarded by ornate cherubs. He also would’ve loved classic Nestle mugs, cowboy Christmas ornaments and the February 1982 edition of Playboy. He passed away almost two years ago, and Gunther’s House is Martin’s tribute to him.

When Martin isn’t curating in Gunther’s memory, she’s working at the upscale pet store Modernbeast, where classic rock tees are trimmed, cut and fitted for your furriest headbanger. Proceeds go to animal rescue non-profits, such as Vintage Pet Rescue, which helps senior and special-needs dogs.

“I love when a customer finds, like, a Pink Floyd t-shirt, and suddenly their eyes light up and they’re telling us about the show they saw years ago,” Martin says. “It’s not only fun to repurpose what already exists and fight overconsumption, it’s also fun because it is a true extension of you on your dog.”

Jackon’s Flea Market

Martin’s passion for vintage became a business when she discovered the Thrift and Shift (@thriftandshiftjh) flea market. Founded by Alimanestianu, and supported by dozens of local artists, collectors and designers, the flea market comes to The Virginian Lodge once a month from June to September.

“You could go to Target, but that has no character, no personality,” Martin says, explaining why you can’t miss Thrift and Shift. “It’s not a reflection of who you are. It’s these standard items you think no one will notice, but you can make them less cookie cutter. It’s that old cliche: ‘These little things make your house a home.’”

Alimanestianu takes pride in curating an affordable market. Yes, many items are valuable heirlooms, but she charges a minimal vendor fee and welcomes just about anything.

“You can say, “This is my first time and I just want to clean out my closet,’” Alimanestianu says. “We had a couple that was selling their grandma’s collection of costume jewelry. It becomes this easy way for people to sell what they love, what they collect, what they curate.”

Martin will be at Thrift and Shift again this summer, selling Gunther’s latest inspirations. She sometimes wonders if she is doing this whole vintage thing “right,” and then she realizes there is no right or wrong – only the exhilaration of the hunt and the find.

“It’s a treasure hunt, a search, but it’s also mindful,” Martin says. “In a world where you can buy anything you want with Apple Pay double-click, sometimes you have to be patient and wait for the perfect thing.”

Vintage Inspiration 

Your vintage aesthetic doesn’t end in the wardrobe. These professionals can help you extend what you love to a room or entire property.

Molly Murray Interiors | 307-413-7041 
Based in Wilson, this interior designer is a Wyoming native with a global aesthetic. She is a mother of two and especially loves working with families.

Emily Janak Interiors | @emilyjanakinteriors 
Find this interior designer in downtown Jackson mastering “casual elegance and collected charm.” She believes a timeless space requires elements from the past to work in the present.

Perennial West | @perennial.west
Landscape architect by day, thrift-store treasure hunter by night, founder Trissta Lyman-Morgan is guided by “frugality, sustainability and a reverence for the land.” Browse her finds online.

Style Jackson Hole | 307-690-5406
Not to be confused with the magazine you’re reading, Style Jackson Hole is a local design firm with a boutique storefront curated by the owners, Danette and John Burr.

Alley Modern and More | 307-413-4007 
Curated by Cheryl Frey, whose family founded Fighting Bear Antiques, this Jackson showroom specializes in mid-century modern art, furniture and decor. She works directly with collectors, dealers and auction houses on your behalf.