Out of the Closet: At Home with 5 of Brooklyn’s Fashion Elite
Lexi Oliveri
Shop-owner, Antoinette
As the owner of beloved Williamsburg vintage boutique Antoinette, Oliveri is no slouch at curating the perfect collection of clothes. So it’s no surprise that her own closet is full of as many unexpected surprises and beautiful items as in her store.
1. Oldest Item
1990 Doc Martens, made in England. These puppies have seen Nirvana; they’ve seen Jane’s Addiction, and four Lollapaloozas. And I still wear them. They’re a little beat up inside, but I still wear them.
2. My Most Well-Worn Piece
My Roxy Quicksilver 90s overalls. I bought these at my local surf shop in New Jersey. I wear them so much, they’re almost disintegrating.
3. Best Bang-for-Buck Item
My Samantha Pleet dress. This is amazing. I’ve worn it to work, as day-wear, to weddings, to showers. I got it at a trunk show for only $100. And I love it.
4. Biggest Splurge
Before I opened the shop, I worked for Gap, and this, the Caviar mini bag, was my bonus. It’s the only Chanel thing I’ve ever bought for myself, and it will be passed down to my daughter, if I have kids.
5. Most Sentimental Piece
I bought this cardigan with the sparrows from Trash & Vaudeville and I’ve had it for 20 years. And I had this with me when I went to pick up my dad from Port Authority once, and when my dad and boyfriend and I got back to Williamsburg, I realized that, holy shit, the sweater had fallen onto the street. I drove back into the city and found it in a ball with tire marks on the street. I saw it, picked it up, cried, and washed it. And here it is.
6. Least Worn Piece, But Can’t Get Rid of It
In the 90s, I worked for Daryl K, and I got this lambskin skirt—hot fuchsia, neon pink—at a trunk sale. I wore this to a few raves. And if you feel the leather, it’s like butter.
7. Something Everyone Should Own
The LBD. This was my mom’s. It’s vintage from the 80s, and it’s a simple black piece, but perfect. If I have trouble thinking about an outfit, this is my go-to.
119 Grand Street, Brooklyn; antoinettebrooklyn.com