Treasure Trove No. 6

Rainbow striped woolens, 1980s angora knits, and a hand drawn Calvin & Hobbes tee.

Aug 31, 2025

Welcome back to another edition of Treasure Trove! The past couple weeks I’ve been anticipating Autumn, aka the best time to be a vintage nerd, and have been consumed by cold weather wear. De-pilling a sweater, darning moth nibbled holes, or sewing a button from my vintage stash where one had been lost are some of my more cherished chores — and I got to do all those things this week!

In this letter you will find some great examples of why the 1980s was a peak decade for knitwear, a few playful pieces, as well as some basics that will help elevate your everyday wardrobe.

Now onto the finds!

<3 Kari

Treasure Trove is a weekly newsletter featuring freshly unearthed vintage offered through the Passage Keeper shop. Items previewed are available online and in person at my booth.

1960s Wrangler Jeans - This color really sings to me, somewhere between split pea soup and oatmeal.
1980s Striped Bodysuit - I can’t help but feel the energy of Debbie Harry exuding from this piece… rock on….
1990s J. Crew Cashmere Sweater - Produced during the years of the iconic and coveted “Oarsman” label, don’t buy new J. Crew - especially after their recent A.I. scandal - vintage is always best!
1990s Fruit Intarsia Cardigan - Cherries, strawberries, and watermelon via a cotton knit… need I say more?
1960s Houndstooth Wool Coat - The early 1960s is unmatched when it comes to a structured wool trench, click through to peep the glamour of that popped collar….

1980s Angora Trimmed Sweater - Balloon sleeves, two toned, and topped off with the sweetest ribbon of fuzzy angora!
2000s Silk Gauze & Lace Blouse - With all the trimmings and some pretty sleeve action at the wrist.
1980s Angora & Lurex Sweater - Hand knit and dreamed up by some genius who combined the soft femininity of angora with a space age design.
1970s Black Velvet Blazer - An autumnal workhorse, and in soft 100% cotton too!
1980s Hand Knit Wool Sweater - A different way to cable knit, all chunky wool with little speckles in the yarn.
1980s Angora Bow Sweater - This is what I mean people, the 1980s did not come to play!!!

1980s Distressed Leather Jacket - Broken in and distressed to perfection, even the tears in the lining are beautiful to me!
1960s Nylon Parka - Five pocket design and a fleece lined hood.
1990s Custo Barcelona Tee - As with all Custo pieces, the back is just as interesting as the front.
1980s Escada Wool Skirt - Giant safety pin!!!
1980s Wool Cable Knit Sweater - A high quality staple piece from Lord & Taylor.

Holiday 2000 Gap Sweater - Guys I found the Holiday 2000 Gap sweater! As written about affectionately in this Vogue piece.
1990s Hooded Wool Cardigan - So whimsically delightfully, the entire piece is knit in primary colors — excluding the inside of the pockets, which are a surprising hot pink!
1980s Magician Sweatshirt - Novelty prints <3
1980s Hand Drawn Calvin & Hobbes Tee - An endearing bootleg entirely hand drawn with pen!

Normally I include a bit of music I am obsessing over, but this week I can’t stop thinking about this video I watched detailing the impact the Sears Catalogue had on Black American’s mobility during Jim Crow.