Camp. Irony. Naive. Old-Fashioned.

[Tango Yankee]

I'm not fully into being vintage other than wearing hats, using fountain pens, and lately a shaving brush; I do like to dress nicely, though. I have found that around here in Hicksville, Ohio my dressing nicely (sports coat and tie) makes people uncomfortable. I've been told that may be because the "message" they're perceiving isn't "I like to dress nicely therefore I do so" but is instead "I'm better than you are." [huh]

Not much I can do about that, I suppose... but apparently it applies even when dressing for interviews around here. :eusa_doh:

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Baron Kurtz have you been to NYC?
There are large swatches of this great city (and Brooklyn, Queens) where no one bats an eye at your style no matter what it is.
People wear three piece suits, sweatpants, tattoos, or jeans hanging off your butt and barely anyone takes issue with the next guy.
The word Liberal is used as a negative description by some so I will describe the city as being progressive in style and attitude.

Yes, i like NYC very much and will be back before too long. I agree with your assessment.

bk

 

[Feraud]

I'm not fully into being vintage other than wearing hats, using fountain pens, and lately a shaving brush; I do like to dress nicely, though. I have found that around here in Hicksville, Ohio my dressing nicely (sports coat and tie) makes people uncomfortable. I've been told that may be because the "message" they're perceiving isn't "I like to dress nicely therefore I do so" but is instead "I'm better than you are." [huh]

Not much I can do about that, I suppose... but apparently it applies even when dressing for interviews around here. :eusa_doh:

Cheers,
Tom

An interesting idea to be sure. I would bet those same people who find a sport coat and tie intimidating on a job interview are doing just find showing off their home/SUV/huge screen flat television/overpriced handbags, etc. etc.
Ah sweet irony.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

i was told i had enough old stuff to start an antique road show...we both laughed...

 

[Fletch]

Baron Kurtz have you been to NYC?
There are large swatches of this great city (and Brooklyn, Queens) where no one bats an eye at your style no matter what it is.
People wear three piece suits, sweatpants, tattoos, or jeans hanging off your butt and barely anyone takes issue with the next guy.

As a transplant of 20 years' standing, however, I see another side to the tolerance. A lot of people are so jaded, so preoccupied with their own crowd, community, career, etc., or just so tired that they truly do not give a damn about anyone or anything outside their world.

(Present, past, and future NY Fedorans very much excepted, of course!)

 

[CharlesB]

most of my friends have figured out that I've found my style niche and its something all my own. Its easily recognizable and its nice to get compliments

 

[SGT Rocket]

I don't normally dress vintage per se. But, if I did, I'm a big enough guy that most comments would be out of my earshot. That being said, I personally don't take myself very seriously, but I take my work very seriously.

If this is someone you must deal with on a daily basis, then just be your normal gracious, gregarious, amiable self--especially to others. This will make your tormentor seem like a @$$ to those around him/her.

If you see this person infrequently, just be "business like" every time you must see them. Don't share anything personal like hobbies, latest movies you've seen etc... If they try to make idle chit-chat, be nice, but try to close the conversation asap. Even if it means you two must wait in silence for something (like in a line or waiting room).

 

[Tango Yankee]

An interesting idea to be sure. I would bet those same people who find a sport coat and tie intimidating on a job interview are doing just find showing off their home/SUV/huge screen flat television/overpriced handbags, etc. etc.
Ah sweet irony.

More than likely! Though this being a mostly rural, depressed area they're more likely to have the huge TV than the overpriced handbags.

I was also told that if I say in response to a comment about my being "dressed up" that I'm dressed how I feel is appropriate to the occasion what I'm "really" saying is that everyone else is dressed inappropriately, so I'm insulting everyone else.

I've gotten so I really don't like it here very much.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

More than likely! Though this being a mostly rural, depressed area they're more likely to have the huge TV than the overpriced handbags.

I was also told that if I say in response to a comment about my being "dressed up" that I'm dressed how I feel is appropriate to the occasion what I'm "really" saying is that everyone else is dressed inappropriately, so I'm insulting everyone else.

I've gotten so I really don't like it here very much.

Regards,
Tom

I've toyed with responses to "Why are you dressed up." I think a good one that tends to be accepted (and not insult your the person who asked) is "I like to dress up." Which is true, right?

I also like "It's what I do." (As in, dressing up is what I do.) That usually gets a little laugh, too.

 

[Real Swell Gal]

I'm old enough not to care what people say about how I dress or my hobbies.
BUT then again I'm not quite as hardcore as most around the Lounge.

I might have one or two outfits that are vintage inspired, a few truely vintage accessories that grandma gave me, and lots of really cool shoes. But I don't live this way everyday. So mostly I get, " I like your coat,pin,dress (whatever I happen to be wearing)". But I rarely get anything truely negative.

 

[ShortClara]

I like funky vintage irony. And camp.

*hides*

I want to attend Funky Vintage Irony Camp. Where do I sign up? I'll bring s'mores!

 

[PrettySquareGal]

I want to attend Funky Vintage Irony Camp. Where do I sign up? I'll bring s'mores!

It's at my house! I love S'mores!

 

[Feraud]

I want to attend Funky Vintage Irony Camp. Where do I sign up? I'll bring s'mores!

What did you pay for the smores?

 

[Idledame]

Let's face it, most people think you're a bit crazy if you're not like most of the people they know. How many of us feel the same way (at least a little bit?) about trekkies or Renaissance Faire people or hippies or some other group that really stands out and/or is into something we find stupid or boring. But if you just tell people that you are dressing vintage or even just dressing up because you really enjoy it, and there's a whole group of people you've met online that are all into it too, they smile and you can tell they still think you're wacky, but you can see that they sort of understand it.
In most places if you just smile at people and make a point of not acting snobby or superior, that will do the trick. And in fact some might even then approach you to tell you how much they like what you're wearing.

 

[ShortClara]

What did you pay for the smores?

I got them with Ration Stamps, 'cause it's for Funky Vintage Irony Camp and them's the rules.

 

[Snookie]

Most everyone has some crazy hobby they're passionate about, it's just not visible when they're standing on the street. The ones who don't are the ones *I* find odd. Long live the Beanie Baby collectors and Hot Air Ballooners!

I'd like to echo IdleDame that it's your attitude, not appearance, that effects people most.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I want to attend Funky Vintage Irony Camp. Where do I sign up? I'll bring s'mores!

SAME! I'll being Lynchburg lemonade.

 

[Edward]

If this is someone you must deal with on a daily basis, then just be your normal gracious, gregarious, amiable self--especially to others. This will make your tormentor seem like a @$$ to those around him/her.

Also works remarkably well with vicious ex-girlfriends who like to defame you on the internet and/or hack your email....

Let's face it, most people think you're a bit crazy if you're not like most of the people they know. How many of us feel the same way (at least a little bit?) about trekkies or Renaissance Faire people or hippies or some other group that really stands out and/or is into something we find stupid or boring.

A friend of mine was once driving to a show when he looked out and saw a bunch of Trekkies queued up outside a computer shop for the release of some new DVD or something. Obviously there since crazy o'clock in the morning, in full costume. "Freaks." He thought..... then rememebered the full Rocky Horror drag that he was shortly to change into before the show, not to mention the tickets booked many months in advance as soon as they went on sale, just to make certain of getting front row seats.

lol lol lol

I remember the first time I took my mother to Camden Market. She kept staring at goths until I hissed "You look weird to them too!"

 

[Flivver]

My friends have long accepted my love of the past and my frugality as just part of who I am.

But when I lived in the mid-west for a few years, the frugality part was often not understood or accepted.

Here in New England, we learn frugality as a means of survival and, sometimes, as tradition. It's something we take pride in.

But in other parts of the country, it can be viewed quite differently.