How Large IS the Vintage Culture?

[happyfilmluvguy]

Browsing around various vintage inspired and vintage related websites, it had me wondering. How large and extensive is this entire culture of the past?

I've heard and read many times of the revival of swing in the 90's, and I suppose that's where it became of bigger size, but I would believe it was there long before then.

Here in Los Angeles, there are a wide variety of activites to attend for one with a passion for the past. But I want to know what it's like around your town, and how large you think the culture is, outside of activities and within them.

Aside from the various organized activites that are offered to people with such an interest around here, what else can be included that makes up this community of guys and dolls?

What sort of organized activities are held in your area?
What other operations happen that involve and include this culture?
What kind of traits are a part of the people who participate?
How many people do YOU know that are a part of it?

 

[panamag8or]

We got nothin' in my town. Why else do you think I spend so much time here?lol

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

For events perhaps?

What about people?

Your town isn't a population of one is it?

 

[panamag8or]

For events perhaps?

What about people?

Your town isn't a population of one is it?

No events, except maybe a senior center having a 40's night every 8 months or so. No big band music, very little jazz. Perhaps the University will play a couple of silent films each semester, but it isn't publicized. The only old theater still standing is a nightclub now. Then again, 75% of non-government buildings downtown are nightclubs.

No people. This is a college town. There is only one other Lounger, besides myself, that lives here. I haven't started "Operation Matchbook Drop" yet... maybe that will help.

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

I'm sure they are out there. They are only in hiding.

How could it be a college town with no people!?

Start a swing dance group. College students would probably enjoy that. Even if you don't know how to, they can learn.

 

[panamag8or]

I'm sure they are out there. They are only in hiding.

How could it be a college town with no people!?

Start a swing dance group. College students would probably enjoy that. Even if you don't know how to, they can learn.

I definitely don't know how to swing dance. The problem here is, that is was big in the 90's, so the "fad" has passed, and it would be a real task to revive it.

I see the concentrations of Loungers in Portland, Boston and SoCal, and I get a little jealous. It must be fun to have like-minded people nearby to hang out with.

 

[Lauren]

I think it's larger than people realize.

I grew up with a love for old things but until the neo-swing craze I thought I was the only one my age. When it died down, I went back to my little cave and still frequented antique stores and watched AMC (back when it was good) and TCM, and just enjoyed it myself or did it with my mom and grandmother. Until I went to the Queen Mary event back when it was mostly for Club Obi Wan nearly 4 years ago and found the Fedora Lounge and started meeting people from off of there in person I had no idea that there were as many people interested. Many people I have met recently outside of the Fedora Lounge and through friends thought the same thing as I did- kind of closeted away with their interest and didn't know there were other people out there into the same things.

With the return to "Vintage" getting as mainstream as it has I've seen a real push toward a return to the styling from then. Perfect example is the controversial Gap Audrey Hepburn ad. Sure, some didn't like it but there's a whole generation of women who have rediscovered her and made her their style icon. With fashion you see a return to slinky cuts of the 30's or full skirts of the 50's. With furniture you see a return to dark woods with inlays of glass, with interiors more tasteful looking deco inspired accents. With even kitchen appliances and the "retro" 50's look that's been seen around, and in a multitude of colors! Now that it's larger I think an appreciation for the aesthetic has certainly peaked, if not the lifestyle and authentic history aspect.

 

[Twitch]

The vintage car events always have music from the 50s-60s here in So. Cal. I'd imagine in other parts of the country they might play some older music still.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

and just as a reminder...Vintage is not -only- the swing music related scene and stuff...

There are plenty of people who just 'like old stuff'...who don't dance or otherwise participate in things that we normally accociate with 'scenes'

 

[Kishtu]

I see the concentrations of Loungers in Portland, Boston and SoCal, and I get a little jealous. It must be fun to have like-minded people nearby to hang out with.

And you think you have it hard, not only are we in the wrong country but we're at the wrong end of the wrong country!

Seriously, we live in the county town, and there's nothing. There are two clubs, neither of which I'd grace with my shadow over the threshold (clue - one of them is called "Bunters" let's say no more...) and a pitiful live music scene for any kind of music. There was a big band dance last year on Nea Year's Eve at our local village hall, and we went, and I think we were the youngest people there by a good 40 years. We were not welcomed with open arms... I think a lot of the people there thought we'd come to laugh at them.

Nah, we're happy cellar dwellers I think. If I go out into town at night dressed vintage I always get wits shouting smart lines at me - basically hinged around being 60 years out of date - it makes me feel uncomfortable. Sigh. Sometimes I long for the bright lights of Manchester again....

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

and just as a reminder...Vintage is not -only- the swing music related scene and stuff...

There are plenty of people who just 'like old stuff'...who don't dance or otherwise participate in things that we normally accociate with 'scenes'

That's what I was thinking. There is a "scene" and there are just like minded people. For anyone that may not have the activities, there are still the people.

I see the concentrations of Loungers in Portland, Boston and SoCal, and I get a little jealous. It must be fun to have like-minded people nearby to hang out with.

I think they are around, they just haven't come out in the open (or joined here yet).

 

[Lauren]

and just as a reminder...Vintage is not -only- the swing music related scene and stuff...

There are plenty of people who just 'like old stuff'...who don't dance or otherwise participate in things that we normally accociate with 'scenes'

AGREED! I think the "scene" is more about appearances and social events, but there's so many people (me included) who are more into the history and old stuff, which can be done regardless of social circle.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Argentina has enshrined tango and milonga as its national dances, and the pioneering tango singer/composer Carlos Gardel (who died in 1935!) is still revered as their high priest. For the most part, today's tango 'scene' remains frozen in time: its practitioners wear dresses, shoes, suits and fedoras that are very similar to those worn in the 1930s.


Just as rockabilly music and swing dancing has inspired some folks to also adopt the styles and manners of the past, so has tango and milonga led generations of South American dance lovers to look and act vintage. It's why various shoe stores in Buenos Aires and Montevideo still sell spectator shoes and t-strap pumps with 'Cuban' heels.


.

 

[Feraud]

I find many more people appreciate a particular aspect of past eras than embrace the entire lifestyle.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I find many more people appreciate a particular aspect of past eras than embrace the entire lifestyle.

Yes indeed.

Marsha Hunt put it this way: "We can revive, here and there, some of this or that from back then."

.

 

[Edward]

I find many more people appreciate a particular aspect of past eras than embrace the entire lifestyle.

That seems healthy to me, though. I mean, there's nothing wrong with recreating your house as it would have been in 1936, your entire wardrobe etc if that's what you want to do, but it seems to me that to try to live your life as if it is 1936 is a bit rose-tinted at best. The world wasn't perfect back then, nor is it entirely gone to hell in a handbasket since.... I like to think of it as preserving the best of style and an understanding of the past because a] I hate it when great style goes out of fashion, and b] if we don't learn the lessons from history, how will we ever progress?

Sometimes I long for the bright lights of Manchester again....

That's what I love about London - there's a licence to look more or less as you like in the middle of London, because there's always somewho looks weirder than you do. lol That and if there's a scene in the UK for anything, some semblence of it will be present in London. Nice change from growing up in semi-rural, small town Northern Ireland!

 

[HollyGolightly]

And you think you have it hard, not only are we in the wrong country but we're at the wrong end of the wrong country!

Seriously, we live in the county town, and there's nothing. There are two clubs, neither of which I'd grace with my shadow over the threshold (clue - one of them is called "Bunters" let's say no more...) and a pitiful live music scene for any kind of music. There was a big band dance last year on Nea Year's Eve at our local village hall, and we went, and I think we were the youngest people there by a good 40 years. We were not welcomed with open arms... I think a lot of the people there thought we'd come to laugh at them.

Nah, we're happy cellar dwellers I think. If I go out into town at night dressed vintage I always get wits shouting smart lines at me - basically hinged around being 60 years out of date - it makes me feel uncomfortable. Sigh. Sometimes I long for the bright lights of Manchester again....

I have the same problem too! I live in a small small small town up in the mountains ^_^.

Anyway All the kids in my town are either Emo kids, Punk kids ( though their so far away from punk though it’s sad...) rednecks, or think we live in Orange County or Laguna Beach(which we do not at all)….. (Sterotypes are lame I know)

ANY-WEH

It’s actually ridiculous some of the people in my town, you'll be talking to them and all of a sudden they'll go into this Deep South accent. It’s weird. Since we're in...CALIFORNIA.

My town... <rolls eyes> can't wait to get out!

P.S. There are some cool people here though. But they come few and far between

 

[Miss Brill]

I can go any where any time of day & not see a single soul in anything vintage, or even vintage insipred. I'm the only person I know who collects or wears anything old. I see a lot of goth kids, but they aren't dressed vintage. My clothes are new, but my accessories are always old--my handbags and jewelry--and I get ooohs and aahhhs over things, but no one runs out to buy their own.

 

[KL15]

How large is the vintage culture? I hope growing by leaps and bounds everyday. I have some hope of the embracing of may of the old values of yesterday. Not the least of which is calling a spade a spade. Thus destroying the single largest inhibitor in America, if not the world, political correctness.

 

[Diamondback]

I have the same problem too! I live in a small small small town up in the mountains ^_^.

Anyway All the kids in my town are either Emo kids, Punk kids ( though their so far away from punk though it’s sad...) rednecks, or think we live in Orange County or Laguna Beach(which we do not at all)….. (Sterotypes are lame I know)

Funny how you can change the date and the location and have given age groups' behaviors stay the same... up here, it was exactly the same when I was your age... (does anyone hear a song here?lol) All of, what, a dozen years ago now...lol