This week's esteemed Featured Buyer is blogger, style maven and designer Julie Chesler of Vain and Vapid. Julie is always on target with her style insights and manages to make both high and low fashion easily accessible to any casual fashionista. Without further ado, here's Julie!

I started Vain and Vapid after exiling myself to a foreign country where assimilating with the locals was not going as well as I had hoped. I design clothes, I sew clothes and I send them back to my homeland. When I am not doing any of those things, I read about clothes and shoes, I look at pictures of clothes and shoes, I buy clothes and shoes and the only time I take a break from the clothes and the shoes is to hit up a happy hour every now and again. Come on, the label is called Vain and Vapid, not insightful and well-balanced.

I love Etsy: first of all, because we are both from Brooklyn, and second because of all the lovely things made by the lovely hands of some very lovely people. To me, the things I buy on Etsy are just as luxurious as any Balenciaga bag, or maybe even more so: While a Balenciaga bag may be made by some very overworked migrant worker in some remote factory, something you buy on Etsy is made by a possibly overworked, likely college-educated person who puts their whole heart and soul into each and every piece they make. Plus, it's always a great feeling to support and encourage young designers, and who doesn't want to feel great?

I am not a lover of fall and am always sad to see the summer go, but clothing and jewelry and lovely things can reconcile me to anything. I chose some of the following pieces because they are cute, fashion-forward and perfect for fall. Others are just lovely and inspiring to me, but they can all go together and be a piece of your chic puzzle. The other thing that can reconcile me to anything? ...Cake.


no. 201 Fifi wears Proenza Schouler by fifilapin

The best dressed girl on Etsy is hands down Fifi Lapin, working that Proenza Schouler constable hat. I am beyond jealous of her wardrobe, particularly because she owns virtually every piece of the Luella spring '08 collection.

Cake Topper Capele by katetowers

I love capelets, and this one has such a beautiful mix of vintage fabrics and lace. This mixed with a vintage rock tee would be my perfect going out outfit. I'm not sure how cake is involved, but it can't hurt.

Cowl Neck w/ Inverted Pleat by orangenyc

I love drama in the back. Add some tights and a cardigan to this and I could wear it all fall and winter long.

LEILA African wax high waisted skater skirt w/ Swarovski crystal buttons by Cocottecouture

One of my favorite designers on Etsy is Cocotte Couture. I love the shape and cut of this skirt, and the African print is one of my favorite details.

Sterling Bike Necklace by cravejewelrydesign

I am a huge fan of aptly named Crave Jewelry, and it was almost impossible for me to narrow down to one specific item. I finally chose this bicycle necklace in memory of my stolen blue bicycle. :(


The Frances Tote by madebyhank

This bag has so many beautiful details, I have lost count. I love the use of recycled materials and the embroidery on the handle is absolutely lovely. Great job, Hank.

Leather and Feather Headband by mothlove

The feather headbands by Moth Love are so pretty, and are a really good alternative to the fascinator—if you're not a fascinator sort of girl. The jersey dresses in her shop are also super pretty, with lots of drama in the back. The whole shop has a lovely 1920s feel to it which is just beautiful...


NEW YORK - Fine Art Photograph 10x10 from the on the Globe series by buckscountyframes

I love this print by Bucks County Frames because I love maps of every kind. My husband thinks I am really strange because I am one of those weird people that actually looks through all the maps in the back of the in-flight magazine every single time we fly, but that is really the pot calling the kettle black.


Customized business cards or calling cards by seventyandsunny

I just ordered some custom made hang tags for my shop from Alyson and I can't wait to receive them. She did a great job with the artwork and layout. They are so cute and suit my summer and fall collection perfectly.


Anais Gymnasium Girl Top by zorya

This top is simple but one of those things you would want to wear all the time in a thousand different ways. It is inspired by a school uniform, and I am all about school uniforms.

Kahlua - Coffee Sweet Almonds and Vanilla - scrumptious organic soap by CrowleyManor

Two more of my favorite things united, beauty products and alcohol. Plus, it's organic— yay!

Sweet Nikki Cupcake by FatDaddyBakeShop

OMG, you can buy cake on Etsy! For real, they will send you a jar of cake. Awesome? Yes!

For more of Julie's fashion insights, check out her amazing blog, Vain and Vapid. Also, check out our past fashion coverage and Featured Buyers!