Best European cities for pretending it's 1937

[Deleted member 16736]

I've given up finding an American city where I can live peacefully in the past. Are there any European cities where one can dress like it's 1937 and not stick out like a sore thumb? Maybe Stockholm. I've been there and so much of the pre-WWII architecture is still standing (long story) and the people so well-dressed that one could dress vintage there and not really be noticed. Any other suggestions?

 

[Sanna]

Wouldn't any European capital do? It is not as if all pre war buidlings were completly destroyed in any of them. And as a European, (and nearly a Stockholmer by birth for that matter) maybe I will sound stupid but I must ask - why not New York?

The problem with Stockholm, despite all well dressed people, is that architecture wise it does not fit the picture as well as some other European cities (yes I did read that you have been there, I'm just saying you could do even better). While not suffering any major damage during the war (as the Swedes were not in it) they did instead come out on top. After the war they were a leading economic force and they were proud of it and there were the common understanding that everything old had to go and "lets build big nice buildings to show how strong we are". However, the architecture of the 60's and 70's were often not a beautiful sight and to make place for them, most pre war buildings were torned town.

Instead, look towards the European countries who did suffer some damage in the war, select a city big enough to appreciate a variated fashion sense and make a visit.

Suggestions; middle sized cities in UK, Paris, Vienna and Budapest.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Prague has beautiful architecture too. I don't know how people react on dressing vintage though.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

The problem with Stockholm, despite all well dressed people, is that architecture wise it does not fit the picture as well as some other European cities (yes I did read that you have been there, I'm just saying you could do even better). While not suffering any major damage during the war (as the Swedes were not in it) they did instead come out on top. After the war they were a leading economic force and they were proud of it and there were the common understanding that everything old had to go and "lets build big nice buildings to show how strong we are". However, the architecture of the 60's and 70's were often not a beautiful sight and to make place for them, most pre war buildings were torned town.

Sadly, what the war couldn't destroy was finished off by "progress."

 

[herringbonekid]

this mythical place where people are so well dressed that if you look (through squinted eyes) it could almost be the 30s doesn't really exist. there are just too many jeans and trainers everywhere to ruin that little daydream. but if i could live anywhere purely for the visual appeal of the city itself it would be Paris, without doubt.

 

[Flicka]

AS a Stockholmer, I have to say that yes, major parts of the city centre were ruined in the 60s. However, if you scoot over to Östermalm, Kungsholmen or Söder, the majority of the buildings are probably turn of the century. Personally, I love the '30s areas (our beloved funkis), like Gärdet, Fredhäll and Norr Mälarstrand. I walked down Erik Dahlbergs gata today and just thought that it might have been the '40s - plenty of small shops with vintage signs and nothing but '30s buildings (I can snap some photos and post if you like). However, if you want quaint, Stockholm is not the way to go. If that's what you are after, then I think somewhere in the former Eastern block might be a good idea. Someone tried to persuade me to apply for a job in Riga recently and tried to sell it on the city being very pretty. [huh]

I don't think a man in a '30s suit would much stand out in Stockholm (not because people dress conservatively, rather the contrary), but even if he did, no one here will ever stare at anyone no matter what they wear. We don't ever show curiosity (or any other emotion, really). It's very un-Swedish, not to mention provincial. Example: I came across a man on the subway a while back. It was 1 pm on a Sunday and he was wearing top hat and tails and a long evening cape. No one looked or pretended to even notice. People just behaved as if that was the most natural thing in the world. I still don't know if it's great for vintage living though - depends what you're after really.

Anyway, f you are American, the fact that Swedes love to speak English might be a plus. The average Swede speaks better English than most of his/her European counterparts (in my personal experience and not based on anything scientifically or statistically verified).

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

In Germany I would vote for Berlin or Hamburg (best víntage shops and swing parties) but people who live there may disagree (because the didn't find "this mythical place ..." there) Each city has it's specific districts too...for architecture and people.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

AS a Stockholmer, I have to say that yes, major parts of the city centre were ruined in the 60s. However, if you scoot over to Östermalm, Kungsholmen or Söder, the majority of the buildings are probably turn of the century. Personally, I love the '30s areas (our beloved funkis), like Gärdet, Fredhäll and Norr Mälarstrand. I walked down Erik Dahlbergs gata today and just thought that it might have been the '40s - plenty of small shops with vintage signs and nothing but '30s buildings (I can snap some photos and post if you like). However, if you want quaint, Stockholm is not the way to go. If that's what you are after, then I think somewhere in the former Eastern block might be a good idea. Someone tried to persuade me to apply for a job in Riga recently and tried to sell it on the city being very pretty. [huh]

I don't think a man in a '30s suit would much stand out in Stockholm (not because people dress conservatively, rather the contrary), but even if he did, no one here will ever stare at anyone no matter what they wear. We don't ever show curiosity (or any other emotion, really). It's very un-Swedish, not to mention provincial. Example: I came across a man on the subway a while back. It was 1 pm on a Sunday and he was wearing top hat and tails and a long evening cape. No one looked or pretended to even notice. People just behaved as if that was the most natural thing in the world. I still don't know if it's great for vintage living though - depends what you're after really.

Anyway, f you are American, the fact that Swedes love to speak English might be a plus. The average Swede speaks better English than most of his/her European counterparts (in my personal experience and not based on anything scientifically or statistically verified).

I was only in Stockholm briefly and most of my time was one week in the dead of winter so I didn't get to look around much. (I have been to Sweden four times in total, but not Stockholm.) I am interested by this Erik Dahlbergs gata and if you don't mind snapping some pictures, I'm sure we'd all love to see them.

I don't need a whole city to be vintage, just a part. Some places hold onto their vintage buildings and cherish them and others toss them away and wish they weren't even there. Seattle reveres its past. So does San Francisco. I don't really know about New York. I am from New York and worked there for many years, but that was before I started dressing funny.

Riga sounds wonderful, and I have always wanted to visit. Paris too. I was reading about Paris in the bookstore. I love the architecture and the way they preserved the integrity of the homes. I have been contemplating a move to London and all the homes there seem to have been subdivided and the kitchen is where the sofa used to be. In Paris, the homes are still intact and look quite beautiful.

Stockholm is a great city and I know the Scandinavians' respect for your privacy. At first I found it a little disturbing when nobody would say hello to me on the street, but now I accept it. And yes, they love to speak English. If Americans knew, they'd flock there. Your secret is safe with me...

Overall, I just feel European cities are more elegant. That's why I was thinking about Europe and looking for suggestions.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Anyway, f you are American, the fact that Swedes love to speak English might be a plus. The average Swede speaks better English than most of his/her European counterparts (in my personal experience and not based on anything scientifically or statistically verified).

I can see that because of all the European languages Swedish seems in many ways to be the closest to English in terms of vocabulary and grammar.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Joel, I'd have thought Chicago might fit your bill? but then, I've only ever been a visitor, however frequently, over the years.

If you can afford to live centrally, London is great. Anything goes, dress wise; believe me, there will be many more people dressed far more extravagantly. This is the main reason it's a great place to be - freedom to do what you want.

Get anywhere beyond the outer fringes of zone 1, though, and you'll catch a lot of flack for looking different. Hick attitudes abound. I live in said sticks, and the one saving grace for London is that I work and spend all free time, pretty much, in the centre.

Many European cities were, of course, bombed about a bit, so architecturally might not fit the bill. And going into the sticks you will suffer hick attitudes. Rock, meet hard place.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

That's good advice, Baron. Thank you. Chicago has a lot of 1930's architecture (on sale at the moment) and I am considering it. Aside from the weather, the problem with Chicago is the crime.

 

[alsendk]

I have three choices for cities where to flash the twenties fashion, and where it will be fully accepted.
The first city that comes to mind will by my own city- Copenhagen. here in the narrow streets broadminded citizens of Copenhagen are wearing anything they like, and are accepted in any way.
The second choice will be Wonderful Berlin where anything goes in the long streets of Berlin, with all their fashion shops and cafe`s to sit and look at people walking by, zipping a cafe` latte, or a cold German beer aus fass.
The third choice could be beautiful Krakow in poland, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Europe.

[/IMG]
Nyhavn, the old harbour of Copenhagen

 

[sheeplady]

I don't think a man in a '30s suit would much stand out in Stockholm (not because people dress conservatively, rather the contrary), but even if he did, no one here will ever stare at anyone no matter what they wear. We don't ever show curiosity (or any other emotion, really). It's very un-Swedish, not to mention provincial. Example: I came across a man on the subway a while back. It was 1 pm on a Sunday and he was wearing top hat and tails and a long evening cape. No one looked or pretended to even notice. People just behaved as if that was the most natural thing in the world. I still don't know if it's great for vintage living though - depends what you're after really.

I noticed this when I was dressed vintage in Denmark. Nobody gave me as much as a sideways glance. So much difference from Americans who will stand, gawk, take pictures without asking, point & laugh if they feel like it. I also have noticed that in Amsterdam, the only people who really look are tourists and not locals, although I have had some Dutch stare and point in smaller cities.

 

[BigFitz]

Although I've never been to Europe(hopefully some day), I have a longing to go to Prague. The travel shows I've seen and the photos from the internet make it look like a wonderful place.

 

[Mario]

but people who live there may disagree

Right. I disagree. It's a nice place, Berlin, but in terms of 'vintage appearance' I can't find much that really thrills me. Of course most of the old appartment buildings (especially in certain districts) were built between the 1870s (approx.) and 1939 (or rebuilt after the war) but if you live here you just forget about that fact most of the time. You can see many lovely old mansions if you're scouting around the peripheral or suburbian districts in the southwestern areas of Berlin but, at least to me, they're still failling to convey a 'vintage feeling'. [huh]

 

[Edward]

Joel, I'd have thought Chicago might fit your bill? but then, I've only ever been a visitor, however frequently, over the years.

If you can afford to live centrally, London is great. Anything goes, dress wise; believe me, there will be many more people dressed far more extravagantly. This is the main reason it's a great place to be - freedom to do what you want.

Get anywhere beyond the outer fringes of zone 1, though, and you'll catch a lot of flack for looking different. Hick attitudes abound. I live in said sticks, and the one saving grace for London is that I work and spend all free time, pretty much, in the centre.

Many European cities were, of course, bombed about a bit, so architecturally might not fit the bill. And going into the sticks you will suffer hick attitudes. Rock, meet hard place.

I've never had a problem in the East End, but certainly it's like anywhere, once you get out of the centre. If you want to dress "vintage" and not get hassle, anywhere with a big concentration of people who look "different" will be a good bet. A big gay community but without it being a "gay area" is usually a good sign that the natives are tolerant, I find. The more diversity the better. TBH, it doesn't bother me, anyhow - if I wanted to blend in, I wouldn't dress like this. Only place I ever really got hassle (then for being in semi-drag, rather than vintage, and thus "looking like a gay", or words to that effect...) where it turned into physically being pushed about was Liverpool, and I have no cause ever to go there again.

As to the OP... most European cities you should be able to find an area where you'll be perfectly untroubled for wearing vintage all the time, many will have architecture that fits your period tastes. I doubt there'll ever be anywhere again where you can submerge yourself entirely into an imagine 1937, though.

 

[Stanley Doble]

No one has mentioned Spain. It was neutral during WW2 and not damaged much in its own war during the 30s (not the cities and buildings I mean). Plus it was something of a backwater under Franco so not too many hideous new buildings in the sixties and seventies. Have never been there but I believe older Spaniards tend to be somewhat conservative in dress.

 

[Flicka]

I've never had a problem in the East End, but certainly it's like anywhere, once you get out of the centre. If you want to dress "vintage" and not get hassle, anywhere with a big concentration of people who look "different" will be a good bet. A big gay community but without it being a "gay area" is usually a good sign that the natives are tolerant, I find. The more diversity the better. TBH, it doesn't bother me, anyhow - if I wanted to blend in, I wouldn't dress like this. Only place I ever really got hassle (then for being in semi-drag, rather than vintage, and thus "looking like a gay", or words to that effect...) where it turned into physically being pushed about was Liverpool, and I have no cause ever to go there again.

As to the OP... most European cities you should be able to find an area where you'll be perfectly untroubled for wearing vintage all the time, many will have architecture that fits your period tastes. I doubt there'll ever be anywhere again where you can submerge yourself entirely into an imagine 1937, though.

That's definitely true. It's not 1937 anywhere and there's probably nowhere where you can keep up the illusion for very long. I think the key issue is what you are looking for - some factors will be more present in some places and others probably in other places. You'll probably have to settle for what matters most - what in the atmosphere is it that you primarily want?

Also, I'm really intrigued now - do you people have experience of stares, comments etc.? Because I've never experienced that, in or out of the city centre, no matter what I've been wearing, except once when I was 18 and dressed up like a smurf for an event (blue in the face, white hat etc) and a drunk commented on it. Now I'm beginning to wonder if this is a matter of social convention here (ie not bothering other people) or if we really are more blasé?

Anyway, about Stockholm, I'd be happy to share some pictures. I've started working on a blog (in Swedish but you know, there's always Google translate and pictures, plug-plug, ahem) about the historical Stockholm - it's here http://stockholmshistoria.blogspot.com - so I'm going to be snapping tons of pics in the near future (though I haven't really started publishing anything since I want to have a solid amount of posts written before I do). The picture in the blog header is from last year, though I vintaged it up a bit. It's taken from Söder towards Old Town and Östermalm and I think it looked remarkably similar 70 years ago (minus some modern buildings in the background).

 

[alsendk]

hejsan Flickan
Mine forældre havde et sommerhus i Ljungbyhed i 20 år, og grannerne var fantastiske.
Min far var en Hemingway type, og elskede at gå med stråhat, og var helt akcepteret of naboerne/grannerne.
Skåne rocks :O)

 

[Baron Kurtz]

It was the architecture I was thinking of. Mostly north of the river. The truly astonishing view of Michigan Ave from the south side of the bridge. Michigan Avenue (north) with its absurd mixture of architectural styles (particularly the faux-Rococo), is a draw in and of itself. It resembles most a European city street, which has grown organically through hundreds of years and several periods of architectural vogue. But of course, that's not how it grew. It was designed to look like that. This is very unique and fascinating, and would be enough to make me want to live there.

re: crime. One would assume you're not going to be living on the South Side. Like any other large city, citywide crime statistics tell only part of the story (many people fear London for the same reason). But you can easily find "safe" areas. The closer you get to Gary, the more crime you'll find … the bus ride north from Indiana through Gary and the South Side was truly one of the more shocking things I've seen. It's as if Upton Sinclair never existed …[huh] shakeshead

That's good advice, Baron. Thank you. Chicago has a lot of 1930's architecture (on sale at the moment) and I am considering it. Aside from the weather, the problem with Chicago is the crime.