A reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, asked, “Why do you focus so much on accessories?”
The simple answer is that accessories & jewelery are an easy way to change your look or imprint your own sense of style on any outfit. That’s a general fashion point — but when it comes to vintage accessories you really make a one of a kind statement.
The other reason relates to an email from Kathy, who along with making sure I said how much she “adores this blog!” asked, “Do you wear vintage all the time?”
If we include the accessories I’d have to say about 90% of my waking hours; but if we are talking about vintage clothes the answer is much less often… I’d say about 50% of my waking hours (90% of my sleeping hours — I adore vintage lingerie!). There are several reasons for my wearing vintage clothing less often.
One, I am a very picky err, “selective” shopper. I remember years ago (in the 80′s) I fell in love with the look of wearing blue and black together — but not just any blue, it had to be a bright, bold, royal blue. And I wanted it in either a dress blouse or a sweater vest. I had seen it in a fashion magazine and fell for it hard. I had the perfect black skirt (and jet black jewelery) but I wanted that royal blue top — a top which apparently only lived in my imagination, for despite the color combination being sold in the magazine (part of a feature on bold jewel tones) the color was not to be found. Unless it was in a patterned sweater, shirt, or, oddly enough, a suit. I spent three years searching for that perfect piece. (Eventually finding it in a sweater vest with pearl buttons I had to replace with black jet bead buttons salvaged from a vintage sweater with moth holes and an unraveling cuff.) After three years of searching, I was finally victorious — and yes, I wore it!
But I think you get the idea how particular (and obsessive!) I am… Right? So you can imagine how selective (and dedicated!) I am when I spot a vintage fashion I want in a photo or film.
Two, vintage clothing is indeed a rare find; it’s not like you’re going to find a round-rack full of any style in several colors and sizes like at the mall. Size being an issue most people think of, complain about, cry over (especially with a bust-line like mine!), there are other issues prohibiting fashionistas from finding vintage fashions.
Not much vintage clothing has survived, and even less of it in wearable conditions. Just like what you’ll find at rummage sales and used clothing sales of today’s fashions, most of what has survived in great conditions are garments which have been worn very little, leaving special occasion dresses to be the number one category of ‘finds’. Like prom dresses, these vintage special occasion fashions have less places in which they can be worn.
When more practical vintage fashions are found, there is a tendency for me to be a little reluctant to wear them too-too often. This not only because I knew how difficult (near impossible!) it will be to replace the item if I wear it out, stain or rip it, but because many vintage fashions require special care and laundering. Hand washing, spot cleaning, air drying &/or ironing take more time than throwing them into the washing machine & dryer with today’s fashions made of easier care fabrics. And many of today’s dry cleaners have no idea how (or indeed even the proper machines and solvents!) to work with vintage textiles. (Always, always ask a million questions of your dry cleaner before you hand your vintage fashions over to them — better you annoy them than they destroy your baby!)
Don’t get me wrong — vintage fashions are utterly & completely worth the trouble!
Not only are they styles not found today, not only are they lovely pieces of history which connect me to the past, but I find that applying such care and concern to clothing helps my budget too.
The limited selection of vintage fashions naturally limit the quantity I can buy — which when coupled with the honestly cheaper prices of vintage clothing versus new clothing prices keeps my check-out total lower. Plus, having to consider every vintage purchase I make in terms of practicality of wear and care has become such a habit that I apply the same considerations to modern made fashions. (That saves me money directly by not choosing an outrageously fussy fashion and indirectly from impulse buys just by slowing down my trip to the cashier!)
Shopping for vintage fashions has me much more appreciative of fashion in general; I really, really value what I have.
And I value the thrill of the hunt, the creativity. Together those two actions make me feel that while I didn’t literally create the garment I did create the outfit — an outfit no single other person has!
However, all of this means that there are days (or activities) for which I do not wear vintage clothing — but that’s only because I love it so much.
Have any questions for me? Feel free to email me at JaynieVanRoe@gmail.com.
