Comments You Get When You Dress Vintage

[Kimberly]

a little off-topic... but a little on-topic too ;-)

i had dinner this evening with my boyfriends grandmother (who previously HATED me). we bonded over clothing!

just more proof that it's a great way to make nice with old ladies.

I understand what you mean. I have a grandmother who is known to ruffle some of the grandkids feathers, but she loves me because I get her. I think she took a liking to me when I saw her old black and white photos and I told her she looked like Elizabeth Taylor (I told her this when I was 10 or so. lol ).

I am glad you had a nice dinner and got to talk fashion with her.

 

[Jovan]

I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of women out there who are closet hat lovers, but are not brave enough to wear one. I am new to wearing hats myself and can't get over the compliments and stares I am getting from them (hence, my conclusion). I am going to a bridal shower tomorrow and will be wearing a vintage pill box hat. The shower is for my cousin who is kind of like the Sex in the City type fashionista (even lives in NYC ), so it will be interesting to see what kind of reception I get from her and her friends.

Slightly off-topic, but I need to get up the confidence to wear a lid when I wear a suit.

 

[reetpleat]

Not so much a comment, but today in Ick-Mart we had a mother and a daughter behind us in line who were OBVIOUSLY whispering and giggling about mine and my husband's appearances.

They then got out their cell phones and tried to slyly take photos of us. Since they were RIGHT BEHIND US in line, it was quite obvious. I waved to them and they looked away in embarrassment. Then my husband said "Would you like me to pose for you?" and the mom got this embarrassed/horrified look on her face! I just started laughing so hard. We made them feel really awkward!

I'm hoping they'll think twice when they feel the need to make fun of people, but since it was a mother (adult who should know better) and a daughter (who has such a mother) I doubt they will.

It has been said before on this thread, but people don't always mean ill. Not polite, I guess. But they surel would not have taken their picture if they were just making fun of you. You brought the extraordinary into their lives and they didn't quite know how to react. Laughter is generally based on the unexpected and nervousness. THey were probably just a little taken aback, but appreciative, and wanted a photo to show their friends.

I wasn't there of course.

I sure would feel sad if I got all dressed up and no one noticed.

 

[Jovan]

I elicited a giggle one time when I was dressed in a plain old unvented two button suit and button-down collar. I didn't quite know how to take it. lol

 

[Kimberly]

Slightly off-topic, but I need to get up the confidence to wear a lid when I wear a suit.

I had the same initial concern at first but decided the heck with what people think and I wore it and am loving it.

I think men look great in hats! It gives them character and makes them stand out in a good way. My son wanted to go to his senior prom like Bogie and I bought him a hat that he still wears today (1 year later). Why? Because all of the guys at the prom complimented him on it and he says whenever he goes out in public with it on the girls are all over him.

 

[Adelaidey]

I love looking at this thread whenever its updated-- love the stories!

And I concur, men in hats are simply fantastic... no worries Jovan, just grab a hat and go. You'll definitely get more positive reactions than otherwise.

 

[Emmababy]

Easter Sunday i got the highly intelligent

"your lips are really red. Aren't they really red? Your lips are really red"

:|

 

[Kitty_Sheridan]

Funny folks

Men always seem to like it.
I don't think I dress vintage daily, I have to wear uniform at work -so that rules it out... but the ladies always say my hair looks retro (I sometimes roll the sides) and I got a nice comment in the pub last Saturday when we were out on a visit (all in RAF uniform or 40s civvies) one old man said 'now, you look like a proper lady....' If only he knew! Ha ha! [angel]

Adelaidey, you do remind me of the Actress Elizabeth Perkins, but she reminds me of a 30's/40's actress and I can't remember who!
K

 

[Sunny]

I forgot to check in with this one.

Last Wednesday I was feeling pretty rotten with a cold. I always make a special effort to wear something I like on Wednesdays, since I get up before 5 to go to work, and then go straight to class from 5:30-9:30. The weather was being weird, though, and I couldn't decide on anything, so I ended up with an early 1950s-type dress. It's the sleeveless/cap sleeve style, princess-like with a front zip, fitted in through the lower bodice, waist, and hips with about a dozen darts. The fit's flattering, but the fabric is a dark purple wool flecked with other colors. Well-made homemade, but a strange fabric choice. Sometimes I think it looks cute, sometimes just strange. Mostly the latter that day, since I felt so lousy.

Well, I came home from class early, and I stopped to get gas. I pulled in front of a typical-type fellow with a motorcycle. I didn't pay much attention to him. While I was washing the windshield, he started up to leave. As he coasted around behind me and my car, I heard him say something. I didn't turn around immediately - defensive impulse here - and then it penetrated what he said. "Nice dress!" Then I looked over, and he was moving slowly, smiling a little and looking to see if I heard. "Thanks!" I said. He grinned and headed off. I had the biggest grin on my face the whole rest of the time I was there. I definitely needed that! :eusa_clap

 

[Kimberly]

Well I went all out today and even shocked myself when I looked in the mirror. I had on a 40's day dress with a 40's ladies WWII looking cape coat over it. I wore a pair of Mary Jane shoes and a 40's hat with my hair curled underneath and also had a vintage straw purse with embroidered flowers. I actually saw myself in a mirror at the thrift and was kind of freaked out because I looked like an extra on a 40's movie set. lol

Anyhow, I went to a yard sale at a church and everyone was very polite to me (more than I am used to [huh] ). I saw someone at another yard sale that I know and I swear that she and her daughter were laughing at me when they first saw me. :rage: lol . This is the woman who buys Louis Vuitton bags on eBay from China and swears they are authentic so I didn't pay too much attention to her. While driving away from there I got to thinking about how criticized people can be for the way they dress. I normally don't give it much attention and admire those who want to stand out (except for the ones who look like prostitutes and are 16 years old). Where has this sheeple mentality come from? Why are jeans and t-shirts the norm (or J-Lo sweat suits) and anything else is considered bizarre. Don't get me wrong, I own jeans and a couple of J-Lo sweat suits and don't have any problem with them, but I do have a problem with people who think you are a freak because you have a dress and a hat on (God forbid, you not follow the standard Jeans and a t-shirt on a Saturday morning! ).

Anyhow, I guess I had better get used to it. I actually enjoy dressing this way and better develop a more thickened skin over the reaction I get from people. Next Saturday I may put on my ostrich hat just to freak them all out some more.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Anyhow, I guess I had better get used to it. I actually enjoy dressing this way and better develop a more thickened skin over the reaction I get from people. Next Saturday I may put on my ostrich hat just to freak them all out some more.

Yep, it's hats that really seem to get attention, maybe more so than any other type of vintage wear other than seamed hose. Yesterday I was poking around the local antique mall trying on hats, and I noticed a lady who works there giving me the eye. I finally found a hat I liked, for a reasonable price, and went over to pay, and we made some small talk -- and she was astonished when I told her that not only do I collect hats, I also *wear* them regularly. When I left the shop, I noticed her standing in front of the mirror trying one on!

 

[Kimberly]

Yep, it's hats that really seem to get attention, maybe more so than any other type of vintage wear other than seamed hose. Yesterday I was poking around the local antique mall trying on hats, and I noticed a lady who works there giving me the eye. I finally found a hat I liked, for a reasonable price, and went over to pay, and we made some small talk -- and she was astonished when I told her that not only do I collect hats, I also *wear* them regularly. When I left the shop, I noticed her standing in front of the mirror trying one on!

Lizzie, I am in awe of your avatar, you look beautiful in it (the dress looks stunning too from what I can see of it).

Okay, day number two of wearing vintage and the reception I got was funny. I wore my eyelet blouse with my blue swing button skirt, red wedge shoes and the blue straw hat as seen on my avie. I get out of my car and am looking for a yard sale on a busy street. The newspaper man is stopped at a red light and he rolls down his window and says "I love your hat". . I thank him for making my day and continue to the yard sale.

I get to the yard sale and have a bunch of stuff in my hands and two of the guys running it grab it from me and offer to box it up. I then ask how much for all of the stuff I got (ranging from the 20's to 60's) and he quotes me a price of $35.00 and I talk him down to $22.00 (I was more confident in my negotiating skills while dressed up. ).

Final trip is Home Depot and BJ's. I get mixed customer service at Home Depot, but this time I asked one of the guys who worked there where the clothes lines were. Not only did he point me in the right direction, but he showed me where it was and put it in my cart because he said it was kind of heavy. . I go toward the cash registers and the man at customer service yells out to me that he will take me over there instead of waiting in line which has never happened to me before. [huh]

Lizzie, I don't know if it was the hat or the combination of both, but I noticed that the men I encountered were a lot more gentlemanly than usual. Now most of the men I encounter behave as gentlemen but it was even moreso today. It could have been the nice weather too, but whatever it was, I liked it!

 

[goldwyn girl]

Lizzie, I too love your new avatar.
When I shop at my Albertsons if the manager see's me he opens a register just for me and always comments an my outfit. He said a few days back a customer said something about the way I looked and how is suited me and I could tell he was proud to tell the customer that I always dress that way and look like a lady, Made my day.

 

[RaasAlHayya]

Lizzie, your new avatar is lovely!

--Leslie

 

[pigeon toe]

Lizzie, cute new av! You're gorgeous!

Anyway, I wasn't dressed vintage, but last week in the middle of my painting class (dressed in jeans and a sloppy t-shirt, obviously vintage and painting don't mix) I went to the bathroom to wash my hands. This girl who I've never seen before comes up to me and says how I look like some girl from the 40's or 50's! I did have my hair done and my lipstick on, but I was dressed like a total slob. It was so weird!

So I guess I must be doing something right if even in paint splattered clothes I still look vintage!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Thanx for all the kind words re the new avatar -- the old one was coming up on a year old, and I figured it was time for a new one. The dress is a winter project -- c. 1939 Simplicity pattern -- and came out better than I expected!

 

[Jovan]

Lizzie, cute new av! You're gorgeous!

Anyway, I wasn't dressed vintage, but last week in the middle of my painting class (dressed in jeans and a sloppy t-shirt, obviously vintage and painting don't mix) I went to the bathroom to wash my hands. This girl who I've never seen before comes up to me and says how I look like some girl from the 40's or 50's! I did have my hair done and my lipstick on, but I was dressed like a total slob. It was so weird!

So I guess I must be doing something right if even in paint splattered clothes I still look vintage!

I'm actually interested in getting some jeans patterned on the cut young men wore in the 1950s... think Rebel Without a Cause. No reason one can't be vintage in the most casual of clothes.

 

[RetroModelSari]

Lizzie it is indeed extremely cute!!!

Our postman keeps saying that I look like a princess with my new hairdo

 

[pigeon toe]

I'm actually interested in getting some jeans patterned on the cut young men wore in the 1950s... think Rebel Without a Cause. No reason one can't be vintage in the most casual of clothes.

True! I love that look on guys, there's a reason why so many gals lust after James Dean!

I do the casual 50's jeans and a blouse look most often anyway, but I wasn't looking like that that day! I looked a darn mess. Even had paint in my hair!

 

[beaucaillou]

So, why vintage?

(Indeed - nice new icon Lizzie. I covet your kitchen just from the glimpse in the background.)

So yesterday a couple of customers (after compliments) asked me why I dress vintage. It struck me that no one had asked that before, but it also struck me as bold and slightly rude. I mean, I don't ask people why they dress the way *they* do. At any rate, I had to think quickly... I've never had to verbalize 'why' before.

What spilled out was a reasonably articulate response about my long-standing appreciation, gravity toward, and affinity for classic style, tailoring, fabrics, and cuts... something that I find lacking in much modern fashion.

My appreciation for vintage isn't so much about longing for the past - certain aspects maybe, but by and large the social aspects of the past are not something I would ever wish a return to. However, artisan quality goods, products, and clothing is what I find a distinct lack of and lament for, as well as more of a personal participation in style; even if it's not a style that suits me, I love to see others making the effort. It's a form of expression that I think has seen much atrophy and homogenization in the last 50 years. I also love the juxtaposition of old style/artifact set in the new; it creates a stark contrast that I think is aesthetically appealing and makes an interesting comment.

I also explained that I come from a family that highly values personal style, so I was urged from a young age to find what best expresses me, and the older I get the more I realize how much more comfortable and myself I am not only in vintage, but in clothing that distinctly expresses my particular aesthetic values, which tend toward the classic/timeless/expressionistic. The customers, they got it, but I think it struck them as odd that anyone would dress vintage. Though, they did take to me after that and struck up a few more conversations, curious and intrigued it seemed.