How often do you dress vintage/vintage inspired?

Nick D · Nov 19, 2015

Fading Fast said:
Thought this might be appropriate to this thread. How often are you wearing mainly vintage-inspired clothing in an outfit and get complimented on the one or two non-vintage items you are wearing (and you think, "really, that's the think you noticed?")?

I haven't had that happen on the clothes, but sometimes when I haven't curled my 'tache, or I think I'm having a Bad Moustache Day, people will compliment it.

Joao Encarnado · Nov 20, 2015

Bamaboots said:
I guess the only true vintage Clothing items I own are a couple of hats. Perhaps my dress is vintage inspired. I mostly wear jeans, pearl snap button shirts and cowboy boots.

ah ah. I don't use cowboy boots because I walk a lot and never got a comfortable pair that ended the day without my feet hurting. The rest is the same but some times to mess my friends heads I wear a suit jacket and a tie (the jeans, pearl snap shirt and western hat are still there).

skydog757 · Nov 20, 2015

I own several true vintage items but mostly repos. I have some nice Hawaiians and some great coats, blazers and hats of all types so I can cover all of the seasons that we have here in Michigan pretty well. I wear more period casual, but I do trot out a nice blazer, dress overcoat and fedora for going to live plays.

Dirk Wainscotting · Nov 20, 2015

Fading Fast said:
Thought this might be appropriate to this thread. How often are you wearing mainly vintage-inspired clothing in an outfit and get complimented on the one or two non-vintage items you are wearing (and you think, "really, that's the think you noticed?")?

On Tuesday, I was wearing a pair of very '50s looking chinos, a Oxford cloth button down shirt, a v-neck wool sweater, ragg wool socks and a pair of Tom's wool boots (the only non-vintage-inspired item - although, they also don't look modern and were, IMHO, benign enough to fit in). Twice that day - once when getting my haircut and, later, when with some friends - I got complimented on my boots.

While I thanked the person in both situations, I thought to myself, those are cheap, boring boots that I only bought because they are warm, inexpensive and, as noted, innocuous enough not to undermine my, overall, vintage-dressing vibe.

Can people tell the difference between chinos from the '50s and chinos from last week? An Oxford cloth shirt and jumper could also be contemporary, so maybe that's why?

Fading Fast · Nov 20, 2015

Dirk Wainscotting said:
Can people tell the difference between chinos from the '50s and chinos from last week? An Oxford cloth shirt and jumper could also be contemporary, so maybe that's why?

Very fair point, but I do occasionally get complimented on my "classic" look. Even though the chinos, oxford shirt, ragg wool socks and sweater are all items people still wear today, mine tend to have the vintage details (I look for that stuff when I buy because I am insane) and when worn together, the overall effect does look pretty "vintagey" - which is why I've gotten those comments about wearing / having a classic or "all American" look, etc.

That's why I thought it was funny in a way when the only non-vintage-inspired item I was wearing was the one I got complimented on. This has also happened to me when I've thrown on one of my modern workout fleece jackets (I like modern workout clothes as the new fabrics really do work better for hard workouts) or something over an otherwise pretty vintage-inspired outfit and, once again, the fleece jacket get the notice.

This is all insanely unimportant stuff, but it does crack me up. I spend so much time painstakingly looking for vintage-inspired items, wearing a very '50s Ivy look and, boom, someone comments on the one non-vintage-inspried item.

esteban68 · Nov 20, 2015

Most days I'll have some 'vintage'on or be vintage inspired.
When standing at vintage fairs or at family functions or church/ official but not work I'll have a vintage three piece on complete with double Albert, pocket watch, vintage cufflinks, signet ring etc.
At work I'd often sneak in a vintage tie, belt or watch.
My favourite look? Mr Toad of Toad Hall , Wind in the Willows .....see avatar.

Dirk Wainscotting · Nov 20, 2015

I really like the golden era look, I always have done (I was wearing a little tweed jacket when I started school in the late 70s) and I do wear elements of the style, probably half the time. However, there's no avoiding the issue of looking out of place and at least some of the time appearing like it's costume. Of course you can "wear the clothes rather than letting them wear you" and it becomes part of your personality, but it's a fine balancing act sometimes.

My brother is a rockabilly who near enough lives in an idealised 1950s, but that sort of subculture life is not really for me. I like Mozart, but I'm not going to start wearing a powdered wig. The point being I'm sceptical of transferring interests (in social history, radio, politics films etc) into a complete foundation for "expressing personal style". I'd say I'm interested in social history of the '20s to the '60s for many reasons, including simple nostalgia and comfort (because they have closed, known trajectories), but I'd rather they informed my life than me reliving it as a carbon copy.

Tiki Tom · Nov 21, 2015

I wear a conservative blue or grey or black suit pretty much everyday, Monday through Friday. I try to jazz things up by throwing a trench coat or a fedora on top and wearing wing-tips or two tones. Am always reading stuff about the golden era, and am generally listening to big bands or rat pack or jazz. How I stumbled into this semi-fantasy world, I don't exactly know.

stratcat · Nov 21, 2015

Over the last year or so I have returned to wearing a shirt/tie/jacket combo to work after a ten year break and realised no one else does any more! It's even spread into my 'casual' attire which now consists entirely of trousers, collared shirts and jackets.
While I have a few modern cut items of clothing, I'm definitely moving towards trad or vintage styles and cuts, Maybe I spend too long on here!

Socially Distorted · Nov 24, 2015

Dirk Wainscotting said:
I really like the golden era look, I always have done (I was wearing a little tweed jacket when I started school in the late 70s) and I do wear elements of the style, probably half the time. However, there's no avoiding the issue of looking out of place and at least some of the time appearing like it's costume. Of course you can "wear the clothes rather than letting them wear you" and it becomes part of your personality, but it's a fine balancing act sometimes.

My brother is a rockabilly who near enough lives in an idealised 1950s, but that sort of subculture life is not really for me. I like Mozart, but I'm not going to start wearing a powdered wig. The point being I'm sceptical of transferring interests (in social history, radio, politics films etc) into a complete foundation for "expressing personal style". I'd say I'm interested in social history of the '20s to the '60s for many reasons, including simple nostalgia and comfort (because they have closed, known trajectories), but I'd rather they informed my life than me reliving it as a carbon copy.

Well said sir! That pretty much sums up what I intended to say. One of the benefits of nostalgia and adopting the fashions, culture (counter also) and customs of previous generations is, I think, being able to cherry pick the best bits and discard the worst. I can wear a '30s tie with a '60s hat. I can remove my hat indoors and say "you're welcome" more often whilst ignoring the worst parts of the golden era.
It's also a way for me to remain 'Alternative ' in a world where the 'alternative' is so easily assimilated into the mainstream.
SD

Shangas · Nov 24, 2015

Retro Spectator said:
I figured this would be an interesting thread. Thus, I included a poll too.

I dress vintage inspired daily. At the time of this post, I do not own any vintage clothes, except three tie clips.

Daily/whenever I go out. Behind closed doors, I'm pretty lazy, but out and about, I dress to impress.

kaiser · Nov 24, 2015

On a daily basis I always try to add a classical, or a vintage note to how I dress, this goes for shoes, suits, and things like vintage watches. For me it has always been easy to dress well as that was how I was brought up. I generally buy high quality used. Works good for me as I am pretty easy to fit and have standard sizes.

Annie B · Nov 25, 2015

I wear wool skirts or wide leg trousers daily in winter. Wool stocking and oxfords. Sweater, blouse, corset or girdle.
I am slowly building an entire wardrobe of original vintage, "could-be" vintage-style, and hand sewn from vintage patterns. I am aiming for full time vintage although most reproductions are not something I can easily afford. I need to sew some 40s shorts for warm weather and some 30s style beach pajamas.

Fading Fast · Nov 26, 2015

Annie B said:
I wear wool skirts or wide leg trousers daily in winter. Wool stocking and oxfords. Sweater, blouse, corset or girdle.
I am slowly building an entire wardrobe of original vintage, "could-be" vintage-style, and hand sewn from vintage patterns. I am aiming for full time vintage although most reproductions are not something I can easily afford. I need to sew some 40s shorts for warm weather and some 30s style beach pajamas.

Sounds outstanding. My girlfriend regularly buys vintage-style clothes and, when she gets lucky, find a cool vintage item. She also has some modern clothes (but nothing of-the-moment), but overall, while it sounds like less than you do, she has a very vintage vibe to her wardrobe.

Harrifer · Nov 26, 2015

First time poster, longtime lurker.

I own few vintage items, but my clothes day-to-day are usually vintage inspired. I wear brogues and a tweed jacket to work with a tie and tweed or flannel trousers (in the summer I wear linen). I have a RAF greatcoat to go over the top on very cold days.

Casually I wear corduroy or moleskin trousers with a casual 'button up' shirt, a jumper and a 1954 Swedish Army jacket in a heavy wool serge. In the summer I usually wear linen trousers or something light in cotton. I stopped wearing t shirts after I stopped being serious about lifting weights.

I should mention though, that all my clothes have a 'modern' fit, either by design or by alteration. I'm in my mid-20s, and my dress sense is already considered slightly eccentric (although usually well received). I feel that if I went the whole way with high waisted trousers, pleats, wide ties etc, that it would lack subtlety.

Hal · Nov 26, 2015

Harrifer, your approach seems just right to me - classical styles with a modern fit. I like both your "work" and your "casual" ensembles, and think that your caution (as expressed in your last sentence) is very sensible.

Harrifer · Nov 26, 2015

Well thanks a lot Hal. If I were my fathers age, it's probably not a concern I would have.

The point for me, in choosing a more modern (but not skinny) fit is to emphasize the fact that whilst I love clothes from the 30s-60s era, I'm also aware of what's current. I think clothing choices send a lot of messages, so I like to be mindful of what I'm sending out.

On a related note, since I became quite interested in style in the last couple of years, it's made 'people watching' significantly more interesting. So much opportunity to 'Sherlock'.

tropicalbob · Nov 26, 2015

Nick D, same here. I teach as well, and I wear a jacket and tie every day. I think you should always dress better than your students (which isn't very difficult), and it adds to your credibility. As I teach literature, I try to show them something of the outside world and maybe something a little better than what they're exposed to every day.
Harrifer, you'll find that the higher-waisted trousers are very addicting. They just seem more comfortable, and once you try them the "hip-huggers" will seem absurd and uncomfortable to you.

Mathematicus · Nov 28, 2015

High waisted trousers are way more comfortable than lower waisted ones; in particular, the maximum comfort is given when the back is higher than the front, a feature that modern trousers don't have. When you sit, the back part will be more stressed and to be comfortable it must have ease; when you try the first time true high waisted trousers you'll realize immediately that modern cut is totally nonsense.
The width question is different: high waisted doesn't mean baggy. If you can stand the constriction of the cloth on your legs (and I don't), you can have thigs and legs slim as you want.

Speakeasy · Nov 28, 2015

Harrifer said:
I feel that if I went the whole way with high waisted trousers, pleats, wide ties etc, that it would lack subtlety.

I would also like to say that not all vintage ties need to be wide! All of my favorite ties are between 2" and 3 1/4."

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