How often do you dress vintage/vintage inspired?

tropicalbob · Nov 28, 2015

A good way of trying out the higher-rise trousers is to order a pair of Wrangler jeans from Cavendar's. They're only a bit higher than the others, but what a difference when you put them on! It's a good deal all around, as the denim's a solid 14.5oz., they're very well-made, and they go for about $25.00. I've also started buying the straight styles (not the "relaxed") instead of the slim and find that I really can't stand tight pants anymore.

GHT · Nov 28, 2015

Vintage inspired, me? My car might well have been designed in 1937, but it was built after the war, so that's quite new. The wireless, (radio) is valve driven, so is the jukebox, but alas the jukebox plays 45's not 78's. The kitchen scales are the old counterbalance type, in pounds and ounces of course, and the bathroom scales are also imperial weight, no metric here. The phone sits in a cradle, is connected by a cord and has a finger dial, the sewing machine is on a treadle. The house electric light switches are made of bakelite and we still burn candescent bulbs. The television has a cathode ray tube, (there's also a modern TV, hidden inside a 1930's cabinet,) but we like to close the doors on that. And of course we both like classic, stylish clothing and accoutrements.

Other than that, we are quite modern.

Harrifer · Nov 28, 2015

Speakeasy said:
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."

Well I really like the 2 1/2 to 3" width.

I'm going to search a bit harder amongst vintage ties in future.

GHT · Nov 28, 2015

Harrifer said:
Well I really like the 2 1/2 to 3" width.

Well you had better get yourself along to: The Tie Bar.

Edward · Nov 29, 2015

tropicalbob said:
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.

When I first started lecturing, I was only a year or two older than most of my students - and several years younger than more than you'd realise. The collar and tie, whether with a suit or jacket and trews helped create a senseof authority.

Harrifer · Nov 30, 2015

Edward said:
When I first started lecturing, I was only a year or two older than most of my students - and several years younger than more than you'd realise. The collar and tie, whether with a suit or jacket and trews helped create a senseof authority.

Absolutely. Many men wonder if they 'can' wear a jacket/suit and tie when they're surrounded by a sea of 'business casual' zombies (dressed in nearly identical shirts and trousers).

When you have a strong character, people generally accept the reality that you give them. If you start wearing ties, there's a great chance that others may follow.

Teachers and lecturers should dress smartly. Turning up in a Mark Zuckerberg costume is ridiculous and makes you look like you're pandering to them.

Edward · Nov 30, 2015

Harrifer said:
Teachers and lecturers should dress smartly. Turning up in a Mark Zuckerberg costume is ridiculous and makes you look like you're pandering to them.

There's nothing more painful than going to an academic conference or gathering, and seeing people who think they're being terribly edgy by turning up in ripped jeans and a pair of sandals to make a point. Most people won't care if that's how somebody naturally dresses (in the same way that nobody objects to the way I dress), but when it becomes clear that it's done to make a statement, it really doesn't do the wearer any favours at all.

Annie B · Dec 13, 2015

Mathematicus said:
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.

I was just saying this to my husband! So many men's dress slacks are still fairly high-waisted. I doubt many men would stand for miniscule rise jeans as women do. By cracky! ;-) Part of why I wear vintage full time is the comfort!

swanson_eyes · Dec 13, 2015

Because of my job I wear midi skirts that recall the '30s, but I end up in riding boots for comfort since I'm on my feet all day (even though I have cute repro shoes), and t-shirts because I'm still in the process of converting my wardrobe and I have no blouses for winter. I'm in work clothes most of the time.
I'm coming out of 10 years of tank tops, hoodies, and chinos, so it's going to be a process. For the record, it will be vintage-inspired store-bought because I don't have time to sew and real vintage pieces that actually would fit me are too pricey. My coats were purchased before I had any inclination to go Golden Era, but they fit the look anyhow. I guess I was headed here and didn't know it. They are so out of the ordinary here in this sea of nylon parkas that I get looks every day. I guess a faux fur collar will do that.
Five days out of seven my hair is definitely vintage. I've been practicing Edwardian hair care for a couple of years now but lately have been using '20s and '30s setting techniques. It's probably the most vintage thing about my appearance.

Fading Fast · Dec 13, 2015

Annie B said:
I was just saying this to my husband! So many men's dress slacks are still fairly high-waisted. I doubt many men would stand for miniscule rise jeans as women do. By cracky! ;-) Part of why I wear vintage full time is the comfort!

My girlfriend gets very cranky about the whole low-rise-jean thing for women. She agrees with you. But, then, she always says that men demand (or at least get) much better value for their clothing dollar and have a lot more options for classic fits and styles than women do.

Annie B · Dec 14, 2015

Fading Fast said:
My girlfriend gets very cranky about the whole low-rise-jean thing for women. She agrees with you. But, then, she always says that men demand (or at least get) much better value for their clothing dollar and have a lot more options for classic fits and styles than women do.

Ack! I totally agree! Thrift stores are really helpful there. Looking for good quality materials (wool, leather, linen,etc.) will usually get you better workmanship and fit but it takes a lot of digging. Men's clothes are less susceptible to "fast fashion". I often get men's clothes cheap and alter them to 40's women's styles.

Fading Fast · Dec 14, 2015

Annie B said:
Ack! I totally agree! Thrift stores are really helpful there. Looking for good quality materials (wool, leather, linen,etc.) will usually get you better workmanship and fit but it takes a lot of digging. Men's clothes are less susceptible to "fast fashion". I often get men's clothes cheap and alter them to 40's women's styles.

My girlfriend is 5'11" 135lbs so she can sometimes fit men's small or the larger boys sizes and has bought some of those items and, then, had them altered as the quality is superior and she can finds some classic styles easier that way. And, like you, she has found some great vintage items, but owing to her height and long arms, a lot of times the vintage sizes just don't work for her.

Yesteryear · Dec 14, 2015

I dress vintage inspired when I feel like it.... and I always feel like it!

Awesomest Guy · Dec 16, 2015

I always dress vintage inspired. I own a few genuine vintage pieces, though I do get all of it from second-hand shops, so I can more easily find my preferred style.

Wells · Dec 17, 2015

My wardrobe is very much vintage inspired. I like to include something unique/vintage in my everyday attire. I wish I could dress vintage everyday, but my wallet won't allow me to do that. Some days I'm able to wear modern clothes that resembles a very vintage look, which catches a lot of peoples attention. Most of the truly vintage clothes I own are military issue.

How often do you dress vintage/vintage inspired?