Moments of Doubt...

[Mr Vim]

I had a moment of doubt today. I was walking back to my house, it was a torrential downpour (which didn't have me feeling particularly cheerful) and I wasn't wearing vintage anything... but a small, nagging voice was in my head.

"Why do I wear vintage clothing? No one else does... why do I need to be different?"

"What's the point of getting all dressed up, no one else cares."

"I should just stop collecting more pieces right now."

That nagging voice went away, and thankfully the sun came out, but I began to wonder, does anyone else here have those moments of doubt? What do you do to combat it? Ignore it? Have a full blown argument with yourself?

If anyone would like to share their moments, here's the place. And if you're having a moment like that now, I'm sure you're not alone amongst the community and we'll get you back on track!

Share away folks.

 

[Mid-fogey]

Every now and then something happens to remind you that you can pay a penalty for being a nonconformist. It can be a spouse who is embarrassed by vintage styles, a boss who doesn't like the image it sends to clients, the gal it turns off, a yob who yells an insult, etc. People have been kind to me generally, but the bad economy has me conscious that I need to be very careful that my projected image isn't hurt by what I wear. At the end of the day, I have to put food on the table.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

Pretty well hit the nail on the head with this one.

Every now and then something happens to remind you that you can pay a penalty for being a nonconformist. It can be a spouse who is embarrassed by vintage styles, a boss who doesn't like the image it sends to clients, the gal it turns off, a yob who yells an insult, etc. People have been kind to me generally, but the bad economy has me conscious that I need to be very careful that my projected image isn't hurt by what I wear. At the end of the day, I have to put food on the table.

 

[splintercellsz]

Being only 18, I am ridiculed day to day, whether it be by family or the few friends I have. They just dont understand it, and it makes me second guess my actions as to why I love the things I do. But then I think to myself... if I quit wearing the vintage clothing, and loving the times of yesteryear, I would stop being an individual, and I would just loose the reason I shine in the world of T-shirts, and jeans dragging on the floor.

I enjoy having a spotlight on me when I am about, knowing I can remind those who lived in the eras I love, about how people looked, and acted. And too me, that is amazing due to the fact that the items I wear, the coins I collect, and the cars I build have history, and come from a time that many only hear about in schools...

I mean, why ridicule those whom dress different? If people ridicule, they are followers in my eyes, as they are following the new age gangsta' style. To me, vintage or not, suits are just articles of clothing too... right?

 

[SHOWSOMECLASS]

I can see your point, because occasionally it happens to me as well. For example, the wife and I have a events to get dressed up. She says, that we don't match because I want to wear vintage. So we find a way to compromise.

 

[Mr Vim]

It's tough isn't it? Then again every once in a while there are the derisive remarks that are simply funny. I was at a movie tonight, Lawless (meh, but that's for later) and some drunkard called out to me "Hey Einstein, what'd you think of the movie."

...

Well I had no idea what he meant by calling me Einstein when I was wearing a sweater vest, tie and slacks, but okay.

Splinter, you've got excellent points that remind me just why I wear what I wear... it defines me a bit. And that's never a bad thing.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Sadly, in the minds of some people, if you wear a suit and tie it's business attire but the mere addition of a fedora to the ensemble suddenly makes it a "costume." :doh:

 

[AtomicEraTom]

And you just went from being a businessman to a gangster.

Sadly, in the minds of some people, if you wear a suit and tie it's business attire but the mere addition of a fedora to the ensemble suddenly makes it a "costume." :doh:

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The self aware person is constantly questioning why they do what they do, whether it be fashion, religion, political ideals, whatever. Pretty much everything we do is a conscious decision, and so is up for debate. Moments of doubt are normal and unavoidable.

Some day you may conclude that this vintage fashion thing isn't really you, or you might not. Either way, not a biggie.

bk

 

[PrettySquareGal]

The self aware person is constantly questioning why they do what they do, whether it be fashion, religion, political ideals, whatever. Pretty much everything we do is a conscious decision, and so is up for debate. Moments of doubt are normal and unavoidable.

Some day you may conclude that this vintage fashion thing isn't really you, or you might not. Either way, not a biggie.

bk

Good points.

 

[Godfrey]

The self aware person is constantly questioning why they do what they do, whether it be fashion, religion, political ideals, whatever. Pretty much everything we do is a conscious decision, and so is up for debate. Moments of doubt are normal and unavoidable.

I agree wholeheartedly. Questioning yourself is normal - and I'm certain it's not just us. I'm certain the guy with the crotch of his pants round his knees wonders sometimes if he should invest in a belt and just pull them up and walk like a grown up.

Yobs and fools are hurtful (my favorite was being called Inspector Gadget by a group of 6 lads) but then again they are looking to hurt - not matter what you wear. It's the affirmation that counts.

A friends 7 year old daughter was reading her mums copy of the Chap and asked her mum "Am I Chap?" "No", said her mother, "your a little girl, Godfrey is Chap". The daughter replied with exasperated emphasis, "YES, of course Godfrey is Chap. But why can't I be Chap?"

Good for three to six months self confidence.

 

[Undertow]

Much depends on your community, much depends on your age and much depends on just how different you look. Like it or not, your image projects whatever people want to read into it. In today's economy, wearing a nice suit either speaks of elegance, style and class or being the so called "1%". If you're younger, peers might think you're pretentious. If you're older, people might accuse you of being eccentric. If your friends are poor, they will think you're trying to upstage them. If they're rich, old vintage clothes make you look like a pauper. It's nearly impossible to try and play this field. Better to take your glove and bat home.

I know I'm preaching to the choir, but the best "vintage" advice anyone could give - and as others have already stated - be true to yourself. If wearing vintage simply doesn't suit you (forgive the amazing pun) cut it out. Wear vintage to events only, or maybe just around the house. Or maybe just enjoy learning about it without wearing it. Or heck, give up on the whole thing.

But if you're just having a moment, don't let it bother you. People are fickle. If you weren't wearing vintage, you might be having second thoughts about your sloppy baggy jeans. We all question ourselves to some extent.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Indeed. If you're doing it just to "be different," or because it's your latest subculture phase, eventually you're going to outgrow that. If you're doing it because you can't for a moment imagine doing anything else, then you'll keep right on.

I'd add, though, that true old-money upper-class rich people are notorious for utterly ignoring the passing of fashion trends and wearing suits for decades if they have them, regardless of whether "vintage" is in style or not. It's the parvenu upper-middle-class rich who would look down on such things. Right-thinking people wouldn't care what they thought anyway.

 

[m0nk]

Personally, the only vintage items I own are a couple of hats. I wear a variety of fedoras, but modern dress clothing. However, I also have times where I wonder why I wear hats and dress nicely, and will go days without wearing one of my hats or a suit. But I've also recognized how differently I feel when I do wear nice clothes and a hat; it's very positive on the self-esteem. My wife also likes how I dress and the suits that I own, and even though she says she doesn't really care about my hats, I can see the look in her eye when I put one on and I feel even better about what I wear.

Don't let what the average stranger may think influence your own sense of style and you'll be much happier. It also helps if your significant other is supportive, but as long as it's not a strain on your relationship, keep wearing what makes you happy.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I actually find it's easier to do vintage in a smaller town than a bigger one. It's harder from the get-go, for sure, but after people get to know you, they just think nothing of it, because they know you as a person and why you like the things you like. It's harder to establish that relationship with the majority of folks in a larger town. In a small town, often times people know about you before you even know who they are.

When people understand who you are and what your mindset is, it makes doing what makes you, you, much easier.

 

[herringbonekid]

I have a fantasy in which I burn my vintage clothes and hats. Wipe them out and clean the slate. I'm sincere about this. I'd film the burning and post it on YouTube. Unfortunately it would a very boring movie.

Paul, as a newcomer to the Lounge but someone with a large experience of vintage clothing (i'm assuming from your posts so far anyway) i hope you'll share some photos of your clothes on here before you torch the lot.

 

[Mid-fogey]

The self aware person is constantly questioning why they do what they do, whether it be fashion, religion, political ideals, whatever. Pretty much everything we do is a conscious decision, and so is up for debate. Moments of doubt are normal and unavoidable.

Some day you may conclude that this vintage fashion thing isn't really you, or you might not. Either way, not a biggie.

bk

BK, as usual, hits it well. It either works for you or it doesn't.

Working on a military base, I've never had anyone say anything unkind. Mostly people like it. I call it "it looks good on you syndrome." People like to see the nice clothes on someone else. They just don't want to go through the bother themselves.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I found entirely the opposite to be true. In a very large city you are anonymous. Nobody gives a crap what you do, for the most part. I love it.

"oftentimes people know about you before you even know who they are". This is the reason I no longer live in a small town. I couldn't stand this imposition; the nosiness and gossiping.

I actually find it's easier to do vintage in a smaller town than a bigger one. It's harder from the get-go, for sure, but after people get to know you, they just think nothing of it, because they know you as a person and why you like the things you like. It's harder to establish that relationship with the majority of folks in a larger town. In a small town, often times people know about you before you even know who they are.

When people understand who you are and what your mindset is, it makes doing what makes you, you, much easier.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

Really? Every time I go into the city, I end up dumping my hat in the car halfway though, because of the hassle involved.

It can be troublesome sometimes, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere, except a small town.

I found entirely the opposite to be true. In a very large city you are anonymous. Nobody gives a crap what you do, for the most part. I love it.

"oftentimes people know about you before you even know who they are". This is the reason I no longer live in a small town. I couldn't stand this imposition; the nosiness and gossiping.

 

[scottyrocks]

does anyone else here have those moments of doubt? What do you do to combat it? Ignore it? Have a full blown argument with yourself?

I just check my blood sugar and have a glass of orange juice.

I actually find it's easier to do vintage in a smaller town than a bigger one. It's harder from the get-go, for sure, but after people get to know you, they just think nothing of it, because they know you as a person and why you like the things you like. It's harder to establish that relationship with the majority of folks in a larger town. In a small town, often times people know about you before you even know who they are.

When people understand who you are and what your mindset is, it makes doing what makes you, you, much easier.

I guess it depends on the size and type of city. In New York City I could walk down the street in a Frank N. Furter outfit and not get too many strange looks. And in certain parts of lower Manhattan I could very easily make a lot of new friends.