Comments You Get When You Dress Vintage

Lily Powers · Apr 30, 2010

Sounds like they were looking for trouble and you did the right thing to walk away. I say, "Never engage in a battle of wits with unarmed opponents!"

GlamourDoll · Apr 30, 2010

Lately I've been getting wonderful comments from an older crowd! But that seems to be usual since younger people don't always seem to get the whole retro look esp where I live.

But I've also noticed that when I dress vintage I usually don't get carded. But when I'm wearing something modern/non vintage I get carded. I'm 24! And I've been questioning if dressing vintage really makes me look like I'm older than 30. Does anyone else have that happen to them?

Paper Moon · Apr 30, 2010

Thanks so much ladies

I do feel much better about it now, looking back. They were completely the "sweatpants and hair up in a messed up ponytail" sort, and my slammin outfit must have completely overwhelmed them. I won't let this deter me!

Lenore · Apr 30, 2010

Not to get too personal, but I was at a group/family therapy thing tonight and one of the other people came up to me during the break and said I looked like I stepped out of a photograph from the 1940's. I would have given him a big smooch on the cheek, but my husband was there. lol

miserabelle · May 1, 2010

People giving loud negative feedback can be absolutely crushing, it really winds me up that people think they have the right to talk to other people in that way - I'm sure you thought they were an absolute mess, but you wouldn't have made a scene about it.

Some people are just awful to others for the sake of it - move on, carry on looking amazing, and forget about it! I know it's not always that easy, but I hope that hasn't knocked your confidence too much Paper Moon!

I mostly get comments from drunks, but to be fair I do frequent my local pub... pretty much every day (tonic water only on a weekday!). Last week I was with The Dapper Man, and a lady we vaguely know was eyeing him up all evening, very impressed with his suit, and his pipe. Someone asked what he did yesterday, thinking he was a banker, they were so shocked when I told them he worked in a restaurant!

I got a "Winehouse" comment yesterday... I do like her, but... no. Really not the look I was going for.

xx

goldwyn girl · May 1, 2010

Paper Moon, in my experience, people seem to think that if you look "different' it gives them some right to say something to you. Others think you are deaf and don't hear them talking about you. Hold your head high and be confident, you know you are better dressed and have much better manners ! There are two people I know who won't go out in public with me because I'm too weird.

Marla · May 1, 2010

Since I started wearing vintage I've been sneered at, but today I received my first true dumb comment. I was at a gas station putting gas in my car when a ruddy-faced middle-age man came up to me and bellowed "Are you French or are you a girl-scout?"

Now, I was wearing a beret, going for a '30s collegiate look. But...girl scout? This is what I get for being a vintage girl in a small town!

MikeBravo · May 2, 2010

Paper Moon said:
Well poo.. My first time out in Vintage wasn't as fun as I expected. I had on a really classic black dress with simple pearls, reverse rolls and a couple of small cute flowers in my hair, and some snappy red t-strap shoes.

I had a baby shower in the morning which went well actually - I had gotten some looks and overheard someone whisper about how "awesome" my hair looked. That gave me the confidence to continue my day in the same outfit, though I was afraid. I went to the mall anyway though, and while there a bunch of younger girls walked by me, bumped directly INTO me, and giggled while one proceeded to nearly shout "Look at that fatass, thinkin she "all that", I didn't know shit like that still existed!"

I didn't do anything but walk by as upright as possible, but after they were well away, I'm SURE my face went red, and I just left asap. I know around my small town area this kind of stuff is probably never seen, but really, the fat comment too??? They were only slightly smaller than myself.

She sounds like a lovely young lady who will meet a nice young man who will treat her nicely for the rest of her life

NOT!!!

GoddessMama · May 2, 2010

Paper Moon, you acted just as a lady should. I will say I would have turned around and given her some choice words. I suppose thats why my husband said I could never be a southern bell, my irish temper always gets the best of me!

cherry lips · May 2, 2010

goldwyn girl said:
Paper Moon, in my experience, people seem to think that if you look "different' it gives them some right to say something to you. Others think you are deaf and don't hear them talking about you. Hold your head high and be confident, you know you are better dressed and have much better manners ! There are two people I know who won't go out in public with me because I'm too weird.

I'd be proud to go out with you and show you off as my friend tehe!

goldwyn girl · May 2, 2010

cherry lips said:
I'd be proud to go out with you and show you off as my friend tehe!

You are sooooo sweet !!! xxx

swinggal · May 3, 2010

I don't really get much negative feedback I guess because most of my closest friends are swing dancers and appreciate the era. I used to dress up a lot more than I do now but I generally just get stares from people who seem to have forgotten what a classy woman looks like!

I love it when older gents and ladies take a second glance...like I have reminded them of a time gone by that they viewed with affection. I've had a few old gents come up to me and tell me, 'You look lovely, not like most young girls today!" I take that as a huge compliement.

But to be honest, I don't care what people think. Even my everyday clothes have a classic, vintage edge to them. I wear modern vests and puffy sleeved shirts a lot to work and out and most of my casual t-shirts have a puff sleve cut. My jeans are a 40s cut and I have many repro dresses that have 30s, 40s and 50s cuts. I wear wide tailored pants to work as well - so I kinda have a classic look all the time without even trying.

I guess I just like 'style' and strive to always be stylish whether I am doing total vintage or not

Kate O Potato · May 3, 2010

I've just spent the weekend in London for my birthday. On Saturday night, I went to the Globe having been to a 1940s/50s hair salon for a fantastic up-do, and wearing my Able Grable emerald green frock and capelet. I was overwhelmed by the number of older ladies who just beamed at me as I walked through town, as if I'd made their day. So many people at the theatre made comments such as "you look so pretty", that it made me feel fantastic and not at all as self conscious as when I'd left the salon.
Then yesterday, as I was in the V&A museum shop, two French fashion students asked to take a picture of my Vivien of Holloway swing dress for their design project. I was so surprised, but I could definitely get used to this sort of attention

Anyway, this weekend has really given me the confidence to get out the vintage on a regular basis, rather than hiding it away for special occasions.

Puzzicato · May 3, 2010

Kate O Potato said:
I've just spent the weekend in London for my birthday. On Saturday night, I went to the Globe having been to a 1940s/50s hair salon for a fantastic up-do, and wearing my Able Grable emerald green frock and capelet. I was overwhelmed by the number of older ladies who just beamed at me as I walked through town, as if I'd made their day. So many people at the theatre made comments such as "you look so pretty", that it made me feel fantastic and not at all as self conscious as when I'd left the salon.
Then yesterday, as I was in the V&A museum shop, two French fashion students asked to take a picture of my Vivien of Holloway swing dress for their design project. I was so surprised, but I could definitely get used to this sort of attention
Anyway, this weekend has really given me the confidence to get out the vintage on a regular basis, rather than hiding it away for special occasions.

Was it Nina's Hair Parlour that you went to? I've been meaning to get in there (for some help with my terrible styling skills!) for a couple of years now and haven't managed it!

Your green dress sounds lovely - no wonder you were getting a lot of attention!

Kate O Potato · May 3, 2010

No, it was It's Something Hell's in Kingly Court. Miss Betty, the stylist was amazing, although you need to book an earlier appointment than you need, as she's prone to lateness!

I don't photograph very well, but here's a pic...

Deleted member 12480 · May 3, 2010

aww you look so lovely!

Puzzicato · May 3, 2010

Kate O Potato said:
No, it was It's Something Hell's in Kingly Court. Miss Betty, the stylist was amazing, although you need to book an earlier appointment than you need, as she's prone to lateness!

I don't photograph very well, but here's a pic...

Is that the one where the guy does the razor cuts? That dress is amazing! Don't be silly - you look lovely and photograph very well.

poggleberry · May 3, 2010

Kate O Potato you look wonderful, I need an Able Grable, that Green is luscious.

Kate O Potato · May 3, 2010

Puzzicato said:
Is that the one where the guy does the razor cuts? That dress is amazing! Don't be silly - you look lovely and photograph very well.

Yes, it is! The gentleman barber is called Mr Ducktail, and his the name might suggest, it's a really fun salon. I'm going to try Nina's Hair Parlour next, not because I was dissatisfied with Miss Betty, just because I've heard so many good things about Nina's...

Lenore · May 4, 2010

Lenore said:
Not to get too personal, but I was at a group/family therapy thing tonight and one of the other people came up to me during the break and said I looked like I stepped out of a photograph from the 1940's. I would have given him a big smooch on the cheek, but my husband was there. lol

I'm under a lot of pressure now... someone in my husband's group told him last night, "I can't wait to see what your wife is wearing on Thursday! She's so cute!"

...I suppose I won't ever be able to show up in jeans and trainers...lol

Comments You Get When You Dress Vintage

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One Too Many

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