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Do you see a time when you stop wearing vintage?

Wire9Vintage

A-List Customer
Messages
411
Location
Texas
I know what you mean about the "frumpy"! One day I noticed at my kids' school that every mom in sight was dresses exactly alike: denim cropped jeans, t-shirts, and flip-flops. And furthermore, most of their daughters were wearing something very similar.

I had on an A-line skirt, button-up blouse, and flats. My hair was waved, and I had red lipstick on. I must say, I felt like a million bucks instead of feeling out of place. So, no, I don't see ever not dressing with a nod to the past. It may not have been all better, but standards of dress certainly were!!
 

rue

Messages
13,319
Location
California native living in Arizona.
I know what you mean about the "frumpy"! One day I noticed at my kids' school that every mom in sight was dresses exactly alike: denim cropped jeans, t-shirts, and flip-flops. And furthermore, most of their daughters were wearing something very similar.

I had on an A-line skirt, button-up blouse, and flats. My hair was waved, and I had red lipstick on. I must say, I felt like a million bucks instead of feeling out of place. So, no, I don't see ever not dressing with a nod to the past. It may not have been all better, but standards of dress certainly were!!

It's such a uniform, isn't it? It's like a check list.... jeans ....check, t-shirt.... check, flip flops... check, straight long hair ...check. Almost Stepford wives, but in a sloppy way.
 

JennyIthink

New in Town
Messages
8
Location
Norway
Interesting thread. I've thought about it, and it's impossible to say, really. Some years ago, before I started wearing vintage, I never felt fresh and pretty. It wasn't until I started wearing vintage on an everyday basis that I started feeling more confident. But it doesn't mean that what I find comfortable to wear now is the same in a few years! Who knows? But I agree- wearing boring, modern clothes makes me feel bad. It's uncomfortable.
 

ThePowderKeg

One of the Regulars
Messages
130
Location
New Hampshire, USA
Like Miss Sofia said earlier, I can see a time when I may stop wearing specific vintage styles because they no longer work with my body, but I don't see myself entirely abandoning the vintage influence. Lately I've gained a bit of weight and have switched from pencil skirts to more of an A-line, which covers my problem spots better, but I still look and feel like myself. As my knees and hips start to go, I'll start wearing lower heels. I expect to make those kinds of changes, rather than a complete style/wardrobe modernization.

Last week I was one of the only people at my office and I wore my typical clothes...a dress, fun shoes, lipstick, etc. My hasband asked why I was dressing up when no one was there and I told him I've felt un-pretty lately and wearing my favorite clothes helps me feel better...it wasn't about whether or not anyone saw me, it was about how I felt. He got it.
 

binglish prof.

New in Town
Messages
9
Location
Nashville, TN
(Longtime lurker, who resolved to start posting)
I really can't say, except that it depends on what happens to my figure, the economy and the devolution of fashion. By economy, I mean that as the rich get richer and the middle class gets squeezed out of existence, we may end up with a world where the only clothing affordable to most people would basically be scrubs. And if that's the case, then I will sew all my clothes and go for whatever fashion pleases me. As long as my waist is smaller than my hips, I'll do forties fashion, and when I'm old, I'll be the eccentric who dresses like it's 1918 or 1718 or whatever I can do with a sewing machine or a needle and thread.
 

Amy Jeanne

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,858
Location
Colorado
I never wore real vintage ever -- but for a year I did make my own dresses from vintage patterns and did my hair and makeup. I wear jeans and t-shirts now. I don't look like a "slob" at all, as I do my hair and makeup vintage and carry myself with pride.

I might go back to my handmade dresses. I stopped because I gained 20 lbs.
 

missjones

New in Town
Messages
15
Location
florida
i am also in the never wore vintage/jeans and t-shirt section. i express my style though my shoes, make-up, and sometimes the odd accessory instead.
 

Viola

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,469
Location
NSW, AUS
I could abandon decades. But not vintage-inspired altogether, I don't think. I like "done"-ness too much. I like a dark lip and pale complexion. I like vintage hairstyles. I could go for a different vintage look than I do now though.

I am not likely to wear everything I wear now forever. Especially hairstyles, some which start to look wacky (pigtails?) and others that I just think look harsh whether by cut or colour, on women of a certain age. But pretty much any hairstyle I like could be construed as SOME kind of vintage.

Mostly the things I think might stop me are my figure changing, my wallet shrinking, my inability to sew, and my husband grizzling about how he prefers natural beauty and makeup ruins everything.
 

Miss Stella

One of the Regulars
Messages
195
Location
California
I will always wear vintage-style in some form
or another!
I wear what I wear because it suits me and makes me feel good about myself. I don't believe I have any real vintage clothing but clothing that looks vintage. I buy it all at my local thrift stores. Even if I don jeans as I did today, to go cut firewood with the hubby, I wear vintage-looking jeans, a t- shirt with a plaid Pendleton over it. All that to say, no, I won't not wear vintage style, I may simply adjust it to my needs.

Now, Viola, I do understand that makeup is a big accessory to vintage clothing but my husband feels the same as yours...he likes me without makeup and that means no lipstick as well. There was a time that bothered me but I have grown confident with age and I am pleased that he likesy natural 'beauty'. I DO carry a vintage lipstick compact in my purse...it's just holding a tube of Chapstick ;)
As long as you are happy and confident in your heart, it will show on the outside in whatever you wear!
 

Miss Stella

One of the Regulars
Messages
195
Location
California
It's such a uniform, isn't it? It's like a check list.... jeans ....check, t-shirt.... check, flip flops... check, straight long hair ...check. Almost Stepford wives, but in a sloppy way.

When I braved the mall the other day....every woman, young and old, looked the same...I hadn't thought about the Stepford Wives but that's the perfect description!

Be yourself....everyone else is taken ;)
 

RainEdayWoman

Familiar Face
Messages
50
Location
louisiana
My biggest issues are 1. finding "cute" vintage or vintage style clothes that fit for ample bosom (think Christina Hendricks) , 2. Aren't insanely overpriced, 4. I was recently diagnosed with a chronic pain condition which takes more effort to accomplish the simple things once taken for granted 3. summers here range in the 100's with 90% plus humidity on average so dressing for comfort is the main priority. Hair and makeup, is consistent though.
 

C-dot

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,908
Location
Toronto, Canada
I wear jeans and t-shirts now. I don't look like a "slob" at all, as I do my hair and makeup vintage and carry myself with pride.

I think hair and make-up is what makes the look most of all. I can go out in a roll neck sweater and leggings, but with my face on and my 'do did, people think I look "dressed up" or "very retro". It's interesting.
 

Amy Jeanne

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,858
Location
Colorado
I think hair and make-up is what makes the look most of all. I can go out in a roll neck sweater and leggings, but with my face on and my 'do did, people think I look "dressed up" or "very retro". It's interesting.

I get that, too. The first thing people notice about you is your face. If that's all done up the rest will seem like it's more "done up" than it really is. I wear a "uniform" of sorts -- same shoes every day, jeans, Lucky 13 T's, and my H&M black jacket. Every day I wear this, but I do my hair and makeup vintage every day. And I wear cat's eye glasses. People are always coming up to me saying they like my "style" when it's really just jeans and t-shirt! lol Really, the hair and makeup can go a long way.
 

Marla

A-List Customer
Messages
421
Location
USA
For me, there is no reason I can foresee for stopping. Barring that my 1930s-1950s clothes don't deteriorate before I do.
 

Lindabelle

One of the Regulars
Messages
119
Location
Australia
This is a really interesting thread. I really related to what LizzieMaine said about feeling not like yourself if your not wearing vintage. The only time I don't wear vintage or vintage inspired is when I'm in my work uniform. But even then I still have vintage hair and makeup. I just feel happiest in vintage and can't see that ever changing. But I've always felt that way I guess. Even when I was a teenager I didn't follow the herd. I think it's sad when I see young girls as clones of each other, shorty denim shorts, mid riff tops, spray tan, hair extensions etc. I saw a girl of about 17 or so dressed vintage inspired in a nice dress, hair and makeup done and she stood out from the rest of the clones and looked stunning! I think it's the ladylike aspect I love. In my opinion there is often too much on display that I don't want to see in most modern fashions.
 

BoPeep

Practically Family
Messages
637
Location
Pasturelands, Wisc
Really, the hair and makeup can go a long way.

This is very true, but for me, I love the total package. Last laundry day I was down to my only pair of undies - Hanes hiphuggers that were crammed in the back of the drawer. I was pulling them up all day! I'm resolved to the fact that I'll be the little old Grandma in the outdated house, with the outdated clothes and too-bright red lipstick! lol
 

fortworthgal

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,646
Location
Panther City
I don't dress vintage every day and never have. I probably wear 30% vintage and the rest is "regular" modern clothes. I have to dress up for work, so only on the weekends might I wear jeans & t-shirt. I'm not going to lie, I own Uggs, flip flops, and velour tracksuits, but I also know how to dress appropriately for the occasion at hand. :lol: Regardless of how I'm dressed, I do my hair and makeup every day. I don't see my style changing any time soon.
 
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Tenuki

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
Seattle
Such an interesting thread. I'm fortworthgal - although instead of a velour track suit, I have a Darth Vader hoodie.

I haven't gone full vintage but it's a matter of time and money until the modern pieces are exchanged for more vintage looking clothes. So, no, I don't see giving up the vintage look though. I spent so much time learning pin curls, I can't stop now!
 

MissNathalieVintage

Practically Family
Messages
757
Location
Chicago
I ddn't think so. There are times when I do don none vintage clothing. I feel so different without it. However, I noticed that I end up adding a few vintage/repo vintage items here and there while wearing my none vintage look. Forever hooked on my bobby socks, hankies and dungareedolly.com bags.
 

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