Some flea-market shoppers arrive looking for a specific chair, a vintage lamp, or a piece of jewelry.

Others are looking for something they cannot quite describe.

That is where Rare Finds comes in.

Run by Terry Escolese, Rare Finds specializes in vintage textiles, clothing, linens, lace, and fabrics. Rather than focusing on one particular era, the shop's collections span decades and cultures, making a visit feel more like opening a vintage trunk than walking through a conventional clothing store.

Rare Finds has been part of the vintage-market world for more than 40 years, according to its official website. Its past collections have included vintage rayon dresses, American designer fashions, Chinese silk robes, Indian wedding saris, 1950s swing skirts, evening dresses, lace, and antique linens.

And for Los Angeles-area vintage shoppers, one of the places to look for Rare Finds is the Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market.

Meet the Owner: Terry Escolese

Shop: Rare Finds
Owner: Terry Escolese
Specialty: Vintage textiles, clothing, linens, lace and fabrics
Market: Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market
Website: Rare Finds official website
Online shop: RareFindsCalifornia on Etsy

The Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market's official vendor page specifically identifies Terry Escolese of Rare Finds and describes her booth as featuring linens, lace and fabrics.

Rare Finds' own website says that after more than 40 years, its shows remain a place for "rare finds," with an inventory that includes both clothing and vintage textiles.

What Does Rare Finds Sell?

The easiest way to describe Rare Finds is to say that it sells vintage textiles and clothing.

But that doesn't quite capture the variety.

Past collections have included:

• Vintage rayon dresses
• 1950s swing skirts
• Evening and cocktail dresses
• American designer clothing
• Chinese silk robes
• Indian wedding saris
• Antique lace
• Quaker Lace tablecloths
• Vintage linens
• Fabric remnants
• Textile fragments
• Full yardage and end rolls

Some pieces are in excellent condition, while others have imperfections that make them better suited to restoration, sewing, costumes, or creative projects.

That is one of the things that makes a textile-focused vintage shop so interesting.

You don't necessarily have to buy something because you want to wear it.

You might buy it because you love the fabric.

Why Vintage Textiles Are Worth a Closer Look

A vintage dress can tell you a lot about the period when it was made.

Look at the stitching.

Look at the buttons.

Look at the seams.

Look at the fabric.

Look at how the garment was constructed.

These details can make an otherwise ordinary-looking piece surprisingly interesting.

The same applies to antique linens.

A tablecloth might feature embroidery or lacework that would be difficult to reproduce at the same price today. An old piece of fabric might contain a pattern or texture that is no longer commonly manufactured.

For designers and artists, imperfect vintage textiles can be especially useful.

A damaged piece doesn't necessarily have to be thrown away.

It could become part of another project.

From Vintage Dresses to International Textiles

One of the most interesting parts of Rare Finds' collection is its international variety.

The shop's published inventory includes Chinese silk robes and Indian wedding saris, alongside American designer clothing and vintage dresses.

That makes browsing different from shopping at a typical vintage clothing store.

You aren't just looking for a particular brand.

You may find yourself choosing based on:

color.

texture.

pattern.

fabric.

craftsmanship.

Or simply because the piece catches your attention.

That's the fun of flea-market shopping.

Where to Find Rare Finds in Santa Monica

The best-known local destination for this feature is the Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market.

The market's official website currently lists:

Day: 1st & 4th Sunday of every month
Time: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
Address: 3233 Donald Douglas Loop S, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Admission: $5
Parking: Free on-site parking
Pets: Welcome on a leash

The market does not operate on a fifth Sunday.

The market describes itself as a destination for collectors, decorators, designers, boutique owners and vintage shoppers, with merchandise ranging from antique and vintage furniture to fashion, jewelry, rugs, art, textiles and architectural salvage.

The market's official vendor directory confirms Terry Escolese of Rare Finds as one of its featured vendors.

Market website: Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market

What Should You Look for at the Rare Finds Booth?

If you're new to vintage textiles, don't worry about knowing everything before you arrive.

Start with the things you can see and feel.

1. Examine the fabric

Is it silk, cotton, linen, rayon or another material?

The fabric can help you understand how the piece was originally used and how it should be cared for.

2. Look at the construction

Check the seams, hems, buttons, embroidery and other details.

Hand-finished elements can add considerable character to an older garment or textile.

3. Check the condition

Look for:

• Stains
• Tears
• Fading
• Missing buttons
• Moth damage
• Weak seams
• Previous repairs

A flaw doesn't automatically make an item undesirable.

The important thing is knowing what you're buying.

4. Think beyond the original purpose

A vintage textile doesn't necessarily need to remain a tablecloth, dress or curtain.

It could become:

• A pillow
• Artwork
• A costume
• A sewing project
• A framed textile
• A lampshade
• Part of a quilt
• Decorative material

Why Imperfect Vintage Can Be More Interesting

One of the pleasures of buying something old is that it doesn't have to look brand new.

A little fading can show age.

A repaired seam can reveal previous use.

A slightly imperfect piece of lace can still be beautiful.

Rare Finds specifically notes that its collection includes textiles and clothing in both perfect and flawed condition, with damaged pieces potentially suitable for repair, restoration or creative projects.

For artists and designers, this opens up another reason to visit.

You're not necessarily shopping for a finished product.

You're shopping for material.

Go Early If You Want the Best Selection

If you're visiting the Santa Monica market specifically to hunt for vintage clothing or textiles, arrive early.

The market opens at 7:00 AM, and the first few hours are ideal for serious browsing before the day gets busier.

The market's current schedule confirms the 7:00 AM–3:00 PM hours on the first and fourth Sunday of each month.

But don't rush.

Vintage shopping works best when you give yourself time to look.

Walk past the first row.

Come back.

Look underneath tables.

Examine folded fabrics.

Check racks carefully.

And ask vendors questions.

Sometimes the most interesting item isn't hanging prominently at the front.

Rare Finds Online

You don't have to wait for the next market to see what Rare Finds is offering.

The business maintains an official website with information about its vintage textiles and clothing, and it also operates an Etsy shop under the name RareFindsCalifornia.

Official website:
Rare Finds — Vintage Textiles & Clothing

Online shop:
RareFindsCalifornia on Etsy

The Etsy shop currently features vintage textile lots and bundles aimed in part at creative projects and artists.

Social Media

I could not verify an official Instagram or Facebook account specifically belonging to Rare Finds/Terry Escolese from the business's current official website and market listings.

For that reason, I would not attach an unverified Instagram or Facebook account to this article.

For readers, the safest official channels are the Rare Finds website and Etsy shop above.

What to Bring to the Flea Market

A vintage-shopping trip is much easier when you're prepared.

Bring a sturdy tote

Vintage linens and textiles can become surprisingly heavy.

Bring a measuring tape

This is especially useful if you are shopping for fabric, furniture, rugs or clothing.

Bring cash and a card

Individual vendors may have different payment preferences.

Wear comfortable shoes

The market is designed for browsing, so expect to spend plenty of time walking.

Bring sunscreen

Even near the coast, you'll be outside for several hours.

Bring a light layer

Santa Monica mornings can feel cool before warming up later.

Bring your phone

Take photos of pieces you're considering so you can compare them before buying.

Make a Day of It

The Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market is easy to turn into a full morning outing.

Start with the market early.

Browse Rare Finds and the other vintage vendors.

Stop for coffee or breakfast afterward.

Then continue toward Santa Monica's shopping districts or the beach.

If you're visiting with friends, give everyone a little time to explore separately and meet back up afterward.

That's often how flea-market shopping works best.

One person finds furniture.

Another discovers jewelry.

Someone else comes back carrying a vintage dress.

Nobody planned to buy any of it.

The Joy of Finding Something You Didn't Expect

That's ultimately what makes Rare Finds interesting.

You don't necessarily walk into the booth knowing exactly what you want.

You might be searching for vintage clothing and discover an antique tablecloth.

You might want fabric and find a 1950s skirt.

You might be looking for lace and leave with a silk robe.

The unexpected discovery is part of the experience.

And unlike buying mass-produced home goods or clothing, there's a good chance you won't encounter an identical piece five stalls later.

Why Rare Finds Belongs on Your Santa Monica Vintage List

After more than four decades in the vintage-show world, Rare Finds represents a side of flea-market culture that can be easy to overlook.

It's not only about furniture and collectibles.

It's about fabric, clothing, craftsmanship and history.

Terry Escolese's collections bring together vintage pieces from different eras and places, giving shoppers an opportunity to find something unusual while also giving older textiles another life.

For collectors, it's a treasure hunt.

For designers, it's a source of inspiration.

For artists, it's a source of materials.

And for anyone who simply loves finding things that aren't available everywhere else, it's another reason to get up early on a Sunday.

So next time you're at the Santa Monica Antique & Vintage Market, don't just walk past the textile booth.

Stop.

Look closely.

Feel the fabric.

Ask where something came from.

And give yourself permission to buy the thing you weren't looking for.

That's often where the best flea-market finds begin.