June 2026 - I’ve been everywhere
If it feels like my face has been all over y’all feed this past month, it's because I was literally everywhere.
First things first - I finally matured enough to understand that I indeed need a straw hat for summer, especially THIS crazy hot European summer that hit without mercy. My issue with straw hats has always been around their shape - the majority of them (those available this side of the pond) are made in panama style, and what can I say, I do like my brim to be dramatic. So I trotted down to the Stetson store in Soho, placed my sight on the most expensive model in store (classic Marina), and within 5 minutes had my new hat sorted. We haven’t been separated since.
I took the hat with me for Pitti and ngl, it made some noise!
I haven’t touched any of my other hats in the last few weeks, though after coming back from Florence, for a second I thought that it wouldn’t be the case. While at the security check in Bologna airport, my hat fell off the box on the x ray conveyor and got stuck between the rolling parts of said conveyor, blocking the whole operation and giving me a heart attack. I am somehow conversational in Italian, but that moment I became fluent - yelling, swearing and gesticulating like a proper southern ragazza, somewhere on the edge of being reasonable and about to offend the border police and get myself arrested. The end of the story is that the hat was bent in half - it thankfully didn’t break, but has a few solid cracks, and I spent the whole flight manually reshaping it to my best ability. Trying to look at the glass half full, I think it does look more like me now - the imperfect, rugged look matches my worn clothes and messy hair better. And I will never ever use those damn airport boxes for hats from now on, and you shouldn’t too.
June 11 marked exactly 1 year since I joined Portobello Market. What started as a ‘let’s see how it goes’ is now my weekly routine, and after experiencing all the seasons, June is deffo the nicest of them all to be there, though not gonna lie, it’s been tought under the stuffy canopy in 36 degrees, and in boots. I am not mature enough here to chose comfort over looks. Have you ever seen a cowboy on a prairie on a high noon rocking a pair of Birkenstocks because he’s too hot?
Some of the fits I pulled this month (even on the hottest days, this business ain’t for the weak) plus an incredible two piece NBL suit that’s for sale via @getitonltd:
Took a few days off to visit my old neighbourhood in Nottinghamshire, which is also the prettiest this time of year. The calmness and pure air is what I miss most since moving to London, even though I have some pretty parks around my new home, there’s nothing like a smell of cows shit in the air (once a cowgirl, always a cowgirl).
My 9-5 HQ’s is also located in the area and every year I participate in giving back day - my charity of choice is Canal & River Trust. Together with my colleagues we clean the canal area and yes, I did it in Stetson, because it has UV40 (not true, I had to look cool even while weeding and operating the wheelbarrow).
I still travel here to take all my pictures for the online shop - some of the places are my go to’s, sometimes I just like to pack everything in the car and hit the road, taking roads I haven’t before and look for new fields or some sights that catch my eye. Freedom, driving without the set destination, spontaneity, surprise, wind in the hair - you don’t need much to feel like you’re in the American movie.
Back in the city I joined some of the old friends to celebrate 10 years of Bryceland’s. Not gonna lie, the cherry on top was meeting Max from Sagebrush - who are doing a very god job bringing proper Americana vibes to the UK. Do check their online shop linked here - I’m a fan!
I also had a pleasure of visiting Lock & Co Hatters, the oldest hat store in the world, that’s located in Mayfair. I’ve been given a tour of the store and its archives, you can literally smell the history in those walls. Very cheeky of me, I know, but I couldn’t not ask if they’d consider making a western hat one day. The answer was: why don’t you try a bowler. Hehe, this is why:
Nevertheless, it’s been a lovely afternoon and I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I tip my cowboy hat.
I started the month on a high, so naturally, I had to end it with a bang. On Sunday, June 28th, I brought my finest wares to Frock Me Vintage Fair. This is without the doubt the place to be when you’re both a vintage trader and a buyer, as the show gathers only the best of the best.
I shared the stall with Karen, @getitonltd who’s also a trader at Portobello and who I look up to since joining the market. Her personal style and selection of items oozes 70s California and our pieces worked very well together that day. I’m super pleased with how it all turned out - giving a bit of saloon vibes if they lasted till the 70s.
It’s been incredibly exciting to be selected and spend the day surrounded by so many beautiful items, but as always, my day was made by people and conversations we shared. Many thanks to all for visiting our stall.
And that’s a wrap! July’s here and it’s much more chill for the Vintage Cowboy Store. I will be traveling again, so there won’t be much happening online - but the store is packed full and you can shop the latest drop here. If you’re aiming to catch me at the market, always check my IG for the dates and places.
Wishing y’all an amazing summer
Marina
