How Large IS the Vintage Culture?

[Senator Jack]

Being that I like everything Edwardian to Mod, I get to enjoy quite a bit of vintage culture here in NY. Two weeks ago Saturday we went to Dances of Vice where everyone was 1920s/30s and then at 2:00 a.m. we went over to the 1960s Subway Soul Dance. I guess I'm lucky to be unstuck in time.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[flat-top]

In New York it's not a "scene." There are loads of scenes here, but this ain't one of 'em.

I think scenes here are very top-down or bottom-up. Moneyed elites or street kids or the media can start a scene, but random filberts will always stay a subculture, sometimes very sub.

There is something about the culture here - serious, scholarly, obsessive - that admires a specialist, a savvy maven with a few rough edges, more than a generalist, who isn't driven but is just out for the joy of it. That doesn't juice people here.

I agree. There was a decent swing/ Rockabilly scene back in the day, but not anymore.
I will say that, after attending a huge "scene"event like Viva Las Vegas where everyone looks the same (to the untrained eye of course), I'm happy to come home and be unique!

 

[katiemakeup]

Yeah, as far as I know, there's about three of us in North County San Diego- and I live with one of them. But like I said before, I bet there's more, we just haven't connected yet.

hee, put an ad in the paper!

 

[PrettySquareGal]

The vintage culture is alive and well in many places. I guess quite literally vintage people can also mean a gathering of those who share some of our views. But as far as a "scene" well probably not in the way people here are discussing.

First off, I have always liked the company of senior citizens because many of them are still living with the ideals and etiquette we admire.

The other day I drove past a house where a white haired man rode his lawnmower- wearing a shirt and tie. I had a neighbor once, an elderly man, who would take a walk around the block and admire the flowers in front of his house in a pair of slacks and starched and pressed shirt.

Have you been to a Bingo hall lately? Sure, it's not sexy, but you'll find a lot of Golden era enthusiasts having some old-time fun.

When I take an evening walk I pass a 1940's ranch where the couple seems stuck in time- enjoying simple things, sitting outside watching the sunset, listening to their radio.

There are still some diners and lunch counters that have been open since the 40's. I like to eat there. I like the large customer base of people over 50.

I've volunteered over the years at a couple of nursing homes and while most make fun of the entertainment, it's actually the kind of music many of us like.

When I go to yard and estate sales and get to chat with the owners and see how they live, some still have Golden era items in daily use.

As I see it, a true gathering of kindred spirits may be overlooked because it lacks the gloss and coolness of a scene.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

One other thing- some of us are incognito. I don't dress vintage.

 

[Tourbillion]

Being that I like everything Edwardian to Mod, I get to enjoy quite a bit of vintage culture here in NY. Two weeks ago Saturday we went to Dances of Vice where everyone was 1920s/30s and then at 2:00 a.m. we went over to the 1960s Subway Soul Dance. I guess I'm lucky to be unstuck in time.

Regards,

Senator Jack

Thanks for posting this, I was trying so hard to remember the name of this club (DoV) a few weeks ago, it was driving me crazy. :eusa_clap

So, just a bit off the subject, how was it? I am considering timing my next trip to New York with this event.

Anyway, living in Southern California I see folks in vintage, or into vintage cars, or films or "stuff" all the time. Ditto vintage records, vintage live music, vintage home tours, I could go on ad nauseum. I also go to Civil War/Victorian type events and balls sometimes too, and that scene seems really big and nation-wide.

It know the scene is really big here and I really don't want to seem like I am bragging, but do you mean to tell me that in the rest of the world there are no vintage cars, WWII events, museum and living history events etc? I know that at the very least there are antique and collectible events in many cities, so I really think that the "vintage" scene is bigger than you think.

And even in no one is into vintage in your town, then your clothes (and collectibles) must be amazing, since there is no competition for the best items in your local shops, right?

p.s.
There is also the idea that only a certain percentage of people will be into vintage. The average person in Los Angeles is possibly no more likely to be into vintage than the average person in say, Lizzie Maine's town. It is just that there are a lot more people here? Or is it that we have more vintage event promotors in LA?

 

[Senator Jack]

Next one should be great. Still don't know what to wear. Check out the events section.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=23341