Comments You Get When You Dress Vintage

Jovan · May 2, 2008

lyburnum said:
I was really surprised this past weekend going for the Fedora Lounge meet in London. All I got was compliments from strangers! It was lovely. It was all men as far as I can remember, but they all said I looked very beautiful. Awww!

They are correct.

lyburnum said:
My family are a little less kind... my sister recently said I looked like something out of the Sound of Music (and this wasn't meant in a positive way), she's also said I look like a cleaner when wearing dungarees, my mother says the way I dress does no favours for my figure and also that the way I dress has no class and she wishes I were a bit more like the 'modern classy girls', but most of the time they just give me weird looks and shake their heads.

I don't agree with my uncle's political beliefs (and neither does my mother or his sister) but we at least respect his opinions and decisions. They should learn that such a mindset goes well for other things.

What I was thinking about were the women in skirt/wide leg suits and knit tops that you see everywhere. You might have jumped the gun in assuming she meant midriff-baring tops and jeans. [huh] In any case, don't be afraid to defend yourself. Heck, bring up something she wears that bothers you. If she gets offended, you can just shoot back that it's exactly how you feel whenever she poo-poos what you like.

jtcarrey said:
I think alot of people's rude comments are made out of jealousy, I say we all do what we like and forget what people think!! (especially my mother ha)

That is exactly the case, actually. In the "Dumbest Comments" thread, metropd talks about how a guy asked him an insulting question, which he then replied to in earnest. They then struck up a conversation, bought each other drinks, and the guy revealed he wished he had the courage to do exactly what he wanted...

Darhling · May 2, 2008

SarahLouise said:
I started my current job a few months ago and have had nothing but lovely compliments from my fellow colleagues and random people in the building. Lots of girls have just come up to me in the toilets and complimented my hair, lipstick or clothes; in fact, I've become friends with one of them who came up to me and said that I was the best dressed person in the office and that it was very Dita (if I had a penny for every Dita comment I would be a very rich lady ) I've also made friends with a fellow 40s/50s retro lady who came up to me in the canteen to compliment me on my style - it's really, really nice to finally know someone into similar things!

I think one of the nicest was when a colleague said that he kept imagining that he would see me in black and white, and that I look too elegant for the office and make everybody else feel scruffy. Whenever my female colleagues put on make-up or wear a skirt they call it "The Sarah Effect" lol

It's strange because in the workplace it seems my appearance has worked for me in that it's attracted people enough to approach me and make friends, but in my day to day life I get more negative reactions. I cannot STAND prolonged staring and by this I mean actual gawping, not just a quick glance (which I can tolerate and understand). Staring is just plain rude and bad manners.

What a great reaction!! How awesome your workplace has embraced your style so much! I am seeking a new job and I am not sure I would dare to be vintage (red lips, hair done, dresses, garters and stockings) in a new place .. but that is because I am such a scaredy cat!

Lola Valentine · May 3, 2008

I'm training to be a primary school teacher (I think that's elementary for everyone in the USA!) and recently I have been working in a school. Both the teachers and pupils have been fascinated by the way I dress and do my hair and I've had so many lovely compliments from the little girls. This led them to asking me to do a lesson on how to do hair rolls! Seeing girls from 6-11 with hair rolls was so cute, I wish I could post the photos, but I'm not allowed.

dahliaoleander · May 3, 2008

Lola Valentine said:
I'm training to be a primary school teacher (I think that's elementary for everyone in the USA!) and recently I have been working in a school. Both the teachers and pupils have been fascinated by the way I dress and do my hair and I've had so many lovely compliments from the little girls. This led them to asking me to do a lesson on how to do hair rolls! Seeing girls from 6-11 with hair rolls was so cute, I wish I could post the photos, but I'm not allowed.

Why not?

jtcarrey · May 3, 2008

ahh man, that is too cute!! wish we could see the photos... ok, my next unemployment check I get, I need to buy a 30's or 40's linen dress, my clothes are too warm for this weather lol must find the perfect fun and flirty dress!!

Lola Valentine · May 3, 2008

dahliaoleander said:
Why not?

Because I'm not allowed to post photographs of children without all their parent's permission.

lyburnum · May 3, 2008

Jovan said:
They are correct.

I don't agree with my uncle's political beliefs (and neither does my mother or his sister) but we at least respect his opinions and decisions. They should learn that such a mindset goes well for other things.

What I was thinking about were the women in skirt/wide leg suits and knit tops that you see everywhere. You might have jumped the gun in assuming she meant midriff-baring tops and jeans. [huh] In any case, don't be afraid to defend yourself. Heck, bring up something she wears that bothers you. If she gets offended, you can just shoot back that it's exactly how you feel whenever she poo-poos what you like.

I think my Mum would like me to dress a lot more like my sister - smart, modern and age appropriate. My sister is a lot more 'normal' than I do I suppose. I did challenge her on the subject and she said that looking classy in her opinion was very much a 'modern' thing, rather than dressing from another era.

That's my sister dressed up and down. She's the blonde one.

On the subject of staring, I was at the bus stop at vauxhall station a while ago when a bus stopped and a woman inside started to stare at me. I felt really uncomfortable so kept glancing over to check if she was still looking. After a while I got really annoyed, so I glared at her. At which point she mouthed 'I love your hair!'. I felt really silly after that lol. So don't always assume staring is a bad thing (which I did up until that point).

P.S. Thank you all for your lovely compliments.

Darhling · May 3, 2008

Lyburnum - your sister looks lovely and is dressed lovely - but I prefer your look much much more.. You are always so well put together, your hair is PERFECT every day and if you two were standing next to each other at a party, you would be the one I would remember the day after.. There really is no comparison, you look very different from eachother.

I talked to my friend yesterday who also dresses vintage - much more than me and we talked about when she would get comments at work from women 'why do you put so much effort into it and so on - and we agreed the next time they do that she should answer 'why don't you put an effort into dressing?'.

The thing about your mother and those women at my friends work is that because you dress differently than them, they think they have a permission to tell you - and forgetting their manners too! How would your mother feel if you talked to her in the same way about her clothes - I bet she would be mad! But that is the thing, people feel it is open season to be rude towards others, when they are different.

Keep up with your style - you are one of my style inspirations on this board!

Jovan · May 3, 2008

It all comes down to what you're comfortable with. I've seen many women who look smart in modern clothing and many here who look smart in vintage or inspired by clothing. While your sister looks fine, I'm not seeing a lot of originality in the way she dresses or does her hair. I see people who look exactly the same over here in the States all the time and it's a bit discouraging that everyone just follows everyone else. But maybe I'm getting too personal here. [huh]

dahliaoleander · May 3, 2008

Jovan said:
It all comes down to what you're comfortable with. I've seen many women who look smart in modern clothing and many here who look smart in vintage or inspired by clothing. While your sister looks fine, I'm not seeing a lot of originality in the way she dresses or does her hair. I see people who look exactly the same over here in the States all the time and it's a bit discouraging that everyone just follows everyone else. But maybe I'm getting too personal here. [huh]

Its simple.

It's the pop-culture sheep effect, Jovan. (BAA!) lol

In reality, you'll hear no bleating out of me!

(Or anyone else on this board I should suppose.

)

ShoreRoadLady · May 4, 2008

"Classy" isn't vintage or modern; it's how you dress and act, so it's obviously possible to be classy and modern. Personally, I don't have everyday-wearable vintage clothes, so it's sort of a classic/modern blend for me. As for "classy"...I certainly hope so!

Usually people assume I'm just dressed up for something. It's a little embarrassing, though, to answer comments like, "Oh, you look nice today! Did you come from work?" or "Are you going somewhere special?" I appreciate the compliments, but to the question, I have to say "No", and that leaves a bit of an empty space in the conversation!

Real Swell Gal · May 4, 2008

I wore my nerw green dress today to my friends house. His mom and dad were there and his dad say "You know something? You're a fine looking woman."
His mom was impressed that I sew my own clothes.
My mother in law thinks that's cool too since not too many ladies our age still sew.

jtcarrey · May 4, 2008

what's funny is when I wear something I bought at Target a few weeks ago and people ask if it's vintage, I'm like, are you blind?? LOL and my mother can't stand it, and I'm like THIS IS BRAND NEW!!! and she still thinks it looks old... pssssssh!!!!!!!!! lol

Miss 1929 · May 4, 2008

Sounds like she has made up her mind to hate everything you wear!
You can't please everyone. But you please your self first, and let everyone else worry about themselves.
To thine own self be true!

jtcarrey · May 4, 2008

sure seems that way...can't please everyone I guess

Jovan · May 4, 2008

And that's why I envy you women, you can find vintage inspired or just classic fashions so much easier than us men. High rise jeans are coming back in style for your sex... WHY NOT US?!

jtcarrey · May 4, 2008

they are???!! yay cool, I need a pair of those!

alexandra · May 4, 2008

High rise jeans have been in for a while in more expensive stores. However, as I am a terminal Scrooge, I would never buy these. Also I'm fat enough that, in a lot of really high pants, I get "teacher belly". I'm hoping you can imagine/know what I mean by that.lol

SarahLouise · May 4, 2008

lyburnum said:
On the subject of staring, I was at the bus stop at vauxhall station a while ago when a bus stopped and a woman inside started to stare at me. I felt really uncomfortable so kept glancing over to check if she was still looking. After a while I got really annoyed, so I glared at her. At which point she mouthed 'I love your hair!'. I felt really silly after that lol. So don't always assume staring is a bad thing (which I did up until that point).

That is true. I remember one example where it made me and my mum really uncomfortable afterwards! We were standing at a bus stop and a teenage chav boy was gawping at me with his mouth open for about 10 minutes. I kept glancing at him to try and make him stop but he wouldn't. I then whispered to my mum to look at him and then he stopped and turned his attention to his equally chav mum and sister, who then started to gawp at me too. His mum then glared at us and shouted, "We were only staring at your daughter because we think she is very pretty, ALRIGHT?!?!" and then muttered swear words under her breath. She seemed really angry and wound up! So yes, I know that staring doesn't necessarily mean that they are thinking negative thoughts, it's just the act of staring for long periods of time which I consider to be really bad manners.

SarahLouise · May 4, 2008

Darhling said:
What a great reaction!! How awesome your workplace has embraced your style so much! I am seeking a new job and I am not sure I would dare to be vintage (red lips, hair done, dresses, garters and stockings) in a new place .. but that is because I am such a scaredy cat!

Yes it's fantastic and I appreciate the positive reactions and comments I get from everyone. As I said, it's funny how my appearance has attracted people to come up to me and make friends. If you're worried just ease yourself into the style at work bit by bit, you don't have to go the whole hog if you don't want to. I certainly don't wear stockings and garters to work! It's all about what makes you comfortable.

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