Sooo, these are a bit late... life kind of shot off in all sorts of unexpected directions. And I remembered that my three papers plus some coursework are due next week, after procrastinating all month on them. So I'm holed up being very industrious, or trying to be!
This is what I wore on Easter Sunday, not that I particularly planned it or anything. I was just determined to get this outfit photographed before I left Barcelona, and the weather was not cooperating at all for most of my stay. Still, I'm really happy with this one, which was somewhat inspired by this, from the Nadinoo lookbook. Or I tried, with what was available at hand! The box I'm holding housed a most delicious Easter cake from one of the little pastry shops in the neighbourhood. Mmmm!
So, I should probably quit typing while I'm ahead, but this outfit also brought to mind some other controversies that I've been turning over in my head the last little while. My outfit mostly vintage (either thrifted or courtesy of mom), which is a head to toe look I neither aspire to nor avoid, it just occasionally happens. I kind of feel though, that there's a certain "vintage clique-i-ness" on the subject of vintage these days. What is this obsession with vintage anyway, which when I was growing up, was called "second-hand," and came from the garage sale, and now is "vintage," and costs upwards of £30 for some heinous 70s dress in London?
A huge number of my favourite blogs are vintage blogs, but I guess I just start wondering sometimes why there needs to be a special club of it, and why we can't just celebrate looking good, rather than looking good in vintage specifically. After all, there are plenty of other ways to dress well for cheap. For example: keeping your clothes for years and wearing them over and over again (like our grandparents did). I feel as though vintage gets to occupy some morally superior place in blogland sometimes when really 1. It's no more ecological if you're buying it from ebay or from a vintage shop where it may have been flown or trucked in from wherever and 2. Having lots of old, cheap(ish) stuff is still having lots of stuff, and still feeding our consumerist "buy buy buy!" society. And I include myself in that, of course.
I'd love to know what all you ladies think, vintage or non-vintage! And now that I've alienated everyone, I'll get back to essay # 2!
Photos, by Albert
Oh right: everything vintage, except the Fly London shoes. Bag via Mom. : )
71 comments:
First off, that top is gorgeous.
And as far as vintage goes, I guess a vintage aesthetic is what people are going for, and they feel "inauthentic" if their clothes are only vintage "inspired" rather than actual vintage pieces. It is rather silly if you think about how much people charge and will pay for vintage, when honestly many of the vintage clothes on etsy, ebay, and even in brick&mortar shops are not that high quality if you really look at the construction, materials, etc.
-Julia
Hmmm interesting debate! I only class things as vintage if it is at least 20 years old. The rest is second hand. Buying a 2 year old Topshop dress is not vintage.
It does really annoy how the price suddenly increase because it is "vintage", even if it is complete rubbish like you said. It seems to be so trendy recently.
You love lovely as usually!
Sophie
x
Hi Emily.
To begin with the vintage issue, I think that many girls identify theirselves in some way with the appearance and charm of the past decades. So I consider that it's an identity/style thing over a will of differ from others (I hope I'm expressing this correctly!). Besides, here in Spain, vintage involves paying high prices, I think it's a question of lack of supply, not because there are no vintage clothes, but for the fact that there aren't many thrift shops (at least in the cities I've been to, e.g. Madrid. In Barcelona I don't know).
However it is, you look as cute as ever!
yes, i really agree with everyone. i run a "vintage" and second-hand shop in my small hometown and i sell things for quite inexpensive, however when something is very unique, well made, handmade, or in good condition i do price them higher, and this is for many reasons.
i think the higher price of vintage isn't just about the piece itself that the cost is based on, there was the hunt to find the piece, the fact that the finder saw it to have potential or to be special and perhaps even styled it in a particular manner so that others would want to purchase it and pay a higher price. also, there are many who don't enjoy thrift shopping and who would rather pay a higher price and have the outfit or item presented to them in it's new packaged manner as opposed to digging and finding it themselves for cheap(i, however, am not one of these people). another reason i like "vintage" (though i am totally annoyed at the over use of this word...) is because it is a part of the movement to REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE, which really needs to happen for the U.S--all these nasty corporations over produce mass amounts of crap made in China by these poor people making 75 cents an hour. that's another reason i like "vintage" because it's not mass produced, i want nothing to do with that...
but anyhow, sorry for rambling. lovely top and happy travels!
I love this look! The top and skirt are gorgeous on you.
I don't really like to refer to things as "vintage" unless I truly know they are. I feel like so many people can just throw the term "vintage" around in order to make something sound more awesome than it really is. Whenever I get something from a second hand store, I will say it is "thrifted" which means it could possibly be something that's only three years old.
I like old fashioned things, so I understand why vintage is considered really cool and stylish. But there are tons of cheap and new things I wear too. Like stuff from Forever 21. I'm sure there are some vintage snobs that wouldn't shop there ever haha. But I just buy things that are my style rather than worrying about how old it is.
@Sophie: I definitely agree: I even get annoyed at the frequent designation of 90s clothing as "vintage" on Etsy. On the one hand I appreciate that the 90s is already a past era. On the other, I remember people wearing that stuff. But I guess my mom feels that way about 70s stuff.
@Velvet: definitely no thrift stores in Barcelona either!
@ Kelsey Louise; I do appreciate what you say... I think my problem now stems from the over-popularization of vintage, especially in places like London, where it has become so trendy as to be alienating.
3rd picture from the top is the best. Is the 4th one intentional special effect?
As a pretty regular (though far from exclusive) seeker and wearer of vintage clothes, for me the appeal is twofold:
Predominantly, I love the thrill of the hunt. I rarely go to dedicated 'vintage' stores (usually too expensive), so most of the time I'm looking in thrift stores, at yard sales, in Mom's closet, or more recently on etsy. The odds of finding something really great in those places that fits me and my budget well are small, making the stand-out pieces that I find all the more valuable to me through their rarity. I have no trouble finding an armload of things I like, can afford, and can fit into at H&M (and often do), but that kind of shopping requires me to use my imagination a great deal less than a run to Goodwill and so the rewards feel 'cheaper' to me.
Secondly, the romantic in me loves the idea that my clothes are on their second life (or more). There is a definite appeal to objects and clothes that have lived a little, and to imagining their original owners. And, while you're absolutely right that 'vintage' is not always more ecologically sustainable than new, and that conspicuous consumption of vintage clothes doesn't exactly represent any kind of societal paradigm shift, it does seem pretty safe to say that vintage clothes (particularly those purchased from local thrift stores, who generally rely on local donations) are a less ecologically harmful purchase than anything bought from a 'fast-fashion' store.
Anyway, this comment has rambled on long enough - but I do think these are interesting issues and glad you brought them up. :)
@A: if by "special effect" you mean unfocused... I wouldn't say it was intentional, it's because we're using *cough* a vintage lens from Albert's Dad's old camera (we were too cheap to buy the recommended lens) which requires manual focus, which can be hard to gauge in fading light. I thought the sense of movement in that picture was worth keeping it for, though. : )
The other Emily: I'm just glad the words "paradigm shift" have appeared on my blog! Hehe.
My only real problem with the recent trend (it is a trend) to thrift shopping, is that again it drives up prices which in turn can disadvantage the actual poor who need to shop there --i.e. not us fashionistas. But yes, I agree, thrift shopping suggest both an attitude to recycling and an ecological improvement over H&M.
I agree. It's good to buy and wear vintage clothes but the morally self-righteous attitude some people adopt about it is misguided.
First of all, your outfit is darling.
Secondly, I prefer vintage for many reasons. Mostly because vintage clothing was made so well- not like the crap today. As cute as it can be, anything from Urban Outfitters or Forever 21 is going to fall apart on you. Also, regardless of how it gets there, you are saving a lot of energy/water by buying second hand. It takes 1800 gallons of water to produce one pair of jeans....
jenniwells.blogspot.com
I agree that vintage is definitely trendy right now, & i don't like how people get away charging more for secondhand goods because of that! There's one local thrift store in particular that comes to mind.. They are soo self-righteous about all of their consignment, and it's honestly not worth as much as it's being sold for! I really enjoy vintage & thrifted clothing, because I think it's sort of romantic to wear something that has had another life before it gets to me. That being said, I agree that buying tons of vintage does not make up for the fact that we're over consumers! Great post.
Oh and you look awesome. Love all the vintage. :p
Love this outfit!
Yea its funny how vintage is a LOT more popular now than it used to be. It is definitely good when it is a really high quality piece or maybe something that is really iconic of a certain time. I don't really have anything vintage (except one dress) because there aren't any vintage shops around here. I'm not sure if I would bu it if there were shops here though...haha...
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Emily, you are hilarious! And I hadn't even thought about how vintage being trendy spikes up the thrift store prices. You are absolutely right. The other Emily, your comments made my day. You as well as Michal are very right that over consuming second hand isn't exactly helping the problem, but I'm with Jenni and everyone else about buying new, it's easy and cheap yet takes little imagination and makes me feel pretty damn bad about myself and my involvement in all things corporate and evil. Anyhow, thanks for starting this intelligent discussion. And really, more conversations about paradigm shifts should happen soon!
If anyone is interested, here is a seriously smart U.S senator from Vermont talking about how fucked up (pardon my french)the distribution of income and wealth is in America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq1zpHF0J04
Take care everyone!
also, if it were allowed, i'd love to visit every enormous landfill in the u.s to dig for "vintage"! it makes me so damn mad and sad that we're not only consuming consuming consuming but we're dumping all of our shit on the earth! sorry, no more comments from me.
Gorgeous outfit - I love the collar on the blouse and the whole colour combo here!
I often feel the same re:vintage. I wear a mix of old and new most of the time, depending on what feels or looks right to me. The reason I really started getting in to vintage in the first place is when someone gave me a '50s dress, and it fit me perfectly and was incredibly flattering. I just find it easier to buy vintage now and know if will work on my shape. I find the whole elevation of vintage in recent years a little odd, but perhaps it is just other girls discovering as I did - that the had great prints and awsome cuts back then! :)
I love the shoes and skirt combo! As for me? Well, I have sweaters in my closet that came into my possession when I was 12 (so, um, 18 years ago), so I'm all over keeping clothing for as long as possible as long as I still love it. If I no longer love it, then it moves to a new home. Call it vintage, call it old, call it whatever you like - if you love it and wear it, then go with it and who cares what others think! :-)
I must concur with Carrie, if you love it wear. Who cares whether its vintage or vintage inspired..blah blah blah, wear what you want, call it what you want. I guess I am in the whatever floats your boat crowd. :)
Oh wow, I so LOVE this look! That skirt length looks great on you, and now I really regret not getting that blouse before you ;) (need to find my similar one when I go home!).
About vintage, actually most of my vintage items are from my family (grandma, aunts and mom) but I don't think I'm obsessed with wearing vintage, especially all vintage. I think mixing modern with vintage items is so much better. Of course most people going to Brick Lane don't think that haha :)
I can't afford vintage unless I find something vintage for under $8 or so in a thrift store. (I consider items from the '70s and earlier vintage, though I believe some Etsy sellers call items from the '90s "vintage" because Etsy only allows sales of "vintage" and handmade clothing and they classify anything that's at least 20 years old as vintage.) I love thrift shopping, though, and have been doing it since I was in my early teens (I'm now 29). I make a point of cleaning out my closet regularly and donating items I haven't been wearing to the thrift stores I shop from. I don't like the idea of keeping a huge collection of clothing, and I don't even have the space for it anyway. Since I'm unemployed right now, having lost my job in December because the company I worked for was being liquidated, the only kind of shopping I can afford is thrift shopping, and I love the challenge of putting together an all-thrifted outfit. Maybe it's ultimately a meaningless challenge, but it's fun to create a look entirely from items that I really had to work to find, that perhaps come from different eras, etc. I also love the variety of styles and sizes I can find in thrift stores. It's usually easier for me to find a skirt that fits me in a thrift store than it is to find one in Forever 21 or H&M.
How lovely is that skirt, totally love the fact you made the cake box part of the outfit, Good luck with that essay!
Cess O. <3
The Outfit Diaries
emily! i love this look so much, it's darling. secondly (@kelsey louise), yea vermont, we're the best. thirdly, i definitely agree that there is vintage cliquiness in the blogosphere, but i think a lot of it comes out of the fact that our current consumer culture encourages purchasing cheap, trendy clothes that will fall apart right away (forever 21 and urban outfitters especially, though the latter certainly isn't cheap), and vintage/thrifting not only requires more of a discerning eye (the thrill of the search!) than walking into a store where you know everything is "on trend," but is also, in theory, more original. and that is the funny position our generation finds itself in--we're all scrambling to be be originals and to maintain our individuality, and yet a lot of the time we just end up part of yet another herd (even if it our involvement in that herd requires a bit more thought). i dont know, i'm blabbing because it's late. but i like thrifting more than shopping for vintage, mostly because true "vintage" is exorbitantly expensive these days. silliness.
ps if i'm ever in ontario you can bet that i'll be taking you up on that lakeside cottage and free-flowing wine.
I am really NOT equipped to speak on this topic. I really don't know much. But nonetheless I LOVE the outfit, the skirt specially is exquisite.
♡ from © tanvii.com
Apothica Giveaway
The one thing I have always liked about vintage is that the clothes are noticeably better made than clothes now-a-days. However, maybe I shop at cheap-o stores and therefore, my clothes wouldn't be better made :P
I do think it's hilarious that "vintage" clothes have become so expensive. Second-hand is still an accurate term for them.
What I've learned is that people will find lots of things to be pretentious about, clothes being among the most common.
i really love this look on you -- this skirt is so beautiful and i absolutely love your inspiration!! i think, for me, i like having a balance of old and new in my closet -- i only wish i shopped vintage a little bit more i just havent found a store i like enough. plus sometimes vintage clothes are wayy to expensive and i would prefer something new.. but thats just me :) xo
http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/
pretty pretty! i love the colors, and your cute poses :)
http://hammocksandtrampolines.blogspot.com
http://etsy.com/shop/puddinp0p
wonderful skirt, the tied blouse was calling its name. love. you raise an intersting question, it is ridiculous some things I see on etsy $150 for a jacket, and it's nicely worn and used all the same. I feel like there is somewhat of a demand they feel that it is now exclusive. used is used, bottom line and there is a price cut off, its second hand! clothing regardless of its origins and owning alot still is consumerism, but just addicted to a different form. I hear bloggers saying they dont repeat outfits since they can afford to just by vintage this and vintage that, it techinically is the same as another's shoppaholism for new stuff.
After all the eloquent and thought provoking feedback you've received, I'm not sure my 2 cents are worth sharing (as it's all basically been said). Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed that popularity in thrift (and vintage) shopping comes and goes. I had a similar discussion with someone back in 2004/2005 on how it was suddenly ''the cool thing to do.'' On the flip side, I still know people who are absolutely repulsed by the idea of wearing secondhand items, so at least it hasn't taken the entire population by rabid force. And as you said, the whole buying second hand phenomenon is still feeding into rampant consumerism which, as we all know, needs serious reigning in.
That said, this outfit is absolutely gorgeous. I think it's safe to say it's my favorite to date! I especially love the detailing on the shirt and the chrysanthemum-like flowers on the skirt. And might I add, your ensemble is far superior to the one in the Nadinoo lookbook. [Side note RE:Nadinoo - that purple & white Queen Anne's lace print she's using is breaking my heart.]
Cute, love the skirt colour!
I'd rather just rip up old and new items and make it my own. The girls around here all wear vintage everything and every other word is vintage out of their mouths. Sometimes it actually annoys the piss out of me.
But girls who can utilize vintage clothing and make it look good have my thumbs up, like you.
You look absolutely lovely, I adore the longer length of your skirt and the detailing on your blouse! <3
I tend to agree that 'vintage' has become a bit trendy and people are now charging higher prices than what the items are probably worth. I do like the environmentally-friendly side of it though. I always get confused about the difference between vintage and old - how old does something have to be to be 'vintage'? haha. Totally agree that the most important thing is to just enjoy what you are wearing, vintage or not!
Emily, I love how you just throw it out there! First off good luck with your essays and you look lovely.
As far as vintage goes. Yes I'm a fan. The way I discriminate vintage from second hand is if it's at least 20+ years old. Sometimes I get great clothing from various brands from the good will which are second hand and not vintage...I guess I technically label that thrifted. I've been thinking about using the term second hand. In Berlin(I'm obsessed) Many Vintage shops are also referred to as second hand.
I really like not having the same clothing as other people. My love of old extends to furniture, stamps, photographs, cameras toys. I'm a romantic and I love to think about the women before me who wore my dresses.
You're so right about the consumerism part. Even if it's used it's still consuming and "insatiable is not sustainable"
Hope you're able to get out and enjoy some of this weekend in spite of all your papers.
too cute! love the full skirt its amazing on you!
xoxo
http://www.leatherlaceblog.com/
Love your blouse. I have been scouring everywhere to find one like it. You look lovely, planned or not.
Emma//
Your skirt is absolutely absolutely fabulous!!! Totally in love with it!!!
Kidswear at Fashion Panache
Dakshina Chitra Part I
i agree with you completely. i've always shopped secondhand/thrifted clothes. i don't even care if they're vintage but now when i actually look for vintage, i can't find it, or it's anywhere from $5 to $10 for a dress. (when i used to pay a dollar or two). and that's too rich for my blood. so i've been trying to find new ways to wear the same clothes i've had for years. all the new stuff i got, i don't love the same anyway. fads come and go to easily for me now. it's frustrating on my brain.
enough ranting. you look lovely.
Guys: Great, great feedback from everyone! A lot of good points here, and maybe I'll have to make a monster post in the future.
One thing: I don't really find shopping for new stuff that much easier than shopping for vintage. Usually when I go to the shops I come away empty handed due to quality and price, while in vintage shops I come away empty handed due to size and price. If I have more new stuff than vintage, it's because I'm more often around new stuff--plus a lot of my "new" stuff is actually second hand Topshop from the charity shop, so I still had to dig. Anyway, interesting.
@Jenni Wells: I had no idea that much water was needed to make a pair of jeans. That's truly appalling. The waste in our society is unbelievable...
@Ashley: Loved your comment. Yes, people will always find something to be pretentious about!
your hair, peter pan collar and bag is love <3 x
Vintage has definitely become a mainstream trend compared to 5-10 years ago! And it's all become more expensive.. Anyway I love your outfit, that skirt is lovely and so is the top! xx
Love yr look!! yr blog is great! Follow each??
Btw, I have my 1st giveaway in my blog, hope you are interested to join XD
http://mrsvintagehk.blogspot.com/2011/04/mrs-vintages-1st-giveaway.html
Hello Emily,
This time you have a very different kind of dressing, with colourful ones..I like to appreciate you for the changes that you try..
I totally love this outfit! I tend to wear a mix of 'vintage' (old!) clothing and modern stuff, I'd say my wardrobe is about half and half. I like older clothing cause you pretty much never see anyone else in the same thing, plus its more well made than the clothing I can afford to buy these days. Altho its eco friendly and suits my purse strings! But yeah mostly I wear vintage cause I don't like seeing people wearing 'my' clothes! :)
I agree that buying quality clothes and caring for them properly is the way to go. The results speak for themselves. On the other hand who among us is truly strong enough not to succumb to racks of cute tops for $3? As for snobbery on the internet, yeah, it's surprising because it feels like it might be the one place where openmindedness and community spirit would prevail. Actually, I think it does for the most part. Anyway, keep speaking your mind!
The more I look at this outfit the more I love it. Each piece is so unique!
I love your shoes and skirt! all the vintage clothes that I have are from my mom or family! I've never bought anything vintage in a store! maybe a designer piece if I found it cheap!
Lovely vintage shirte :)
tks for your commment!!
kisses
I love that outfit - the skirt length is beautiful.
On the whole vintage thing, I think there are two sides to it, part of it is the idea of it being 'fashionable' to incorporate something from another era into your outfit. I've got to admit occasionally when I go shopping I will pop into local vintage shops to find something a bit different.
On the other side there is also the whole cheap aspect - I end up buying a lot of Topshop/H&M clothes from charity shops as well, particularly if I want to emulate a specific style but can't afford new.
I love the idea of raiding my mums wardrobe, but unfortunately she is really petite and I am not.
I suppose in the end it is all down to personal choice xoxo
Me enamoré de tu falda! que lindos los colores, el estilo y además cómo la combinaste con ese estilo tan femenino y tan particularmente tuyo.
Las fotos también están lindas.
No te preocupes por las fotos atrasadas, a todas nos pasa ;)
Que tengas un excelente fin de semana.
Nos vemos! :)
Olvidaba decirte que el cabello te queda increible asÃ, deberÃas llevarlo recogido más seguido, destaca más tu rostro ;)
Gorgeous look.
I really like this look. I agree with you. Vintage dresses up what is actually thrifted clothing. I notice though that some of my area thrift stores have a "vintage" rack and charge more for those items. The vintage is there to be found in the regular racks, but I think some shoppers are so put off by thrifted clothing that unless they think it has some archival quality that can't be bothered to spend patient time looking for the gems.
do you mind checking out my blog? feel free to follow me ;) or at least tell my what you are thinking about it
love&peace
http://gypsiestrampsthievesfortunetellers.blogspot.com/
@Johanna: Seriously? I think you're very rude to spam my blog with your self-advertising comments. Thank you.
I love your outfit, and I agree. I would never spend an inordinate amount of money on some crappy old dress just because it's "vintage". I go for cheap second hand stuff because it's cheap and because I just do not have the funds to buy more expensive stuff, and because I have really been into that retro, feminine aesthetic with longer hemlines and collars etc, which you don't find for an affordable price in normal high street shops. I don't feel better than people who buy new clothes at all, this is just the price category I can spend my money in, and I love the aesthetic.
Oh goodness I really adore this outfit. It's beautiful and the shoes are so cute too!! I have featured it on http://rubyeyedokapi.tumblr.com for Thursday's Modest Outfit Inspiration. It will also be featured on my fashion blog sometime this weekend. http://tiedemanntribe.blogspot.com
I'm a really big fan of Vintage. I mainly don't like how most of what is created today in the clothing industry is slave-labor. That's a big reason why I love vintage.
I utterly agree. Vintage became "cool" and peeps upped their prices. Stupid really as I think "vintage" means the piece has to be 50 odd years old. ANYWAY,
these are stunning. Beautiful skirt (and i adore your new header). x hivenn
hi sweetheart, i love your blog, you are absolutely adorable and i love your outfits. xx
For me, vintage (thrifted, hand-me-down, second-hand, used-- whatever you want to call it) just happens to fit into my budget AND be lots of different styles that I like. I don't want to have to spend a ton of money on a look I like when I can find the same thing for really cheap at a thrift store. And my style is so all-over-the-place it's not even defined as just "vintage" or "retro".
Random: I really like your hair. Can we trade?
Thanks for commenting on my blog about my rejection letter; it meant a lot to me. ♥
xoxo
Maria Elyse
www.uneasyimpressions.blogspot.com
Your photo was the FAVORITE of the week and I just posted it on my blog now. amazing. I really loved it so much in comparison to all the other outfits I featured in the week! http://tiedemanntribe.blogspot.com/2011/04/modest-fashion-features-20.html
this is SUCH a cute outfit! i am in love with that skirt! i am now ur new follower :)
natalieoffduty.blogspot.com
I'm totally in love wiht your blog. You are a real inspiration for me. This outfit is very lovely ..Take a look at my blog: http://ciocolataneagra.blogspot.com
Love this! The skirt is so beautiful!
Oh, I totally agree with you on this. Whenever I browse "vintage shops" online, I'm totally turned off by the high prices for ugly clothes, just because they're old. It's quite frustrating. I think you're right that whether you're buying vintage clothes or new clothes, it's still buying clothes and spending money, so there shouldn't be some sort of superiority complex that comes along with buying vintage.
Anyway, this is a wonderful outfit. The little details on your top and skirt are adorable! Now I really want to try a skirt in a longer length :)
This outfit is adorable. I wish i could wear skirts that length but I have a feeling they'd look funny on short lil me. :)
Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous outfit. Seriously inspirational.
And re: vintage, the reason I shop exclusively second-hand is because I hate sweatshops. After seeing them first-hand in places like Vietnam, Thailand and Fiji, I don't give a flying fuck about the economic benefits they have for third world countries, as the labour conditions and pay are so atrocious I cannot abide by them. So I don't buy anything made in a sweatshop, and I can't afford to buy the 5 or 6 labels that are made in NZ here.I am happy to pay lots of money for a vintage dress that is amazing. Also I'd rather pay $1 for something in a thrift store that's gonna fall apart anyway than $40 for a similar item in a 'new' shop.
I've gotta say, my pet peeve is searching for vintage in an online environment and finding floral dresses from F21 that people blatantly bought last week. It's become a buzzword that means anything now, rather than pre-1970s, which is what I believe genuine vintage to be.
I also feel there's a certain nostalgia around vintage, albeit for an imagined past, that appeals to the historicist in me. I'm currently writing a 5000 word essay (ugh) on the notion of retro for Cultural Studies, so I've been having a lot of strange twisted thoughts about vintage lately. I have been buying vintage since I was 12 though, which was in 2003, and it's not something I'm going to stop any time soon. It fits in with my moral code, and allows me more freedom of expression through style too.
First off, I totally love your whole look. I have been wearing a lot of longer skirts this past season. I think the print and color of yours is just wonderful. And the cropped top is the perfect addition!
In regards to the vintage question, I am on the side of an only vintage/thrift. I wear vintage for a lot of reasons but mainly because I don't want to support sweatshop labor. A LOT of American corporations (Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy) use sweatshop labor to produce their goods and I don't want any part in that. Most of the workers are women under the age of 25. It is similar to a system of indentured servitude, many of which take place on US territories such as Puerto Rico. The tag still says "made in America" but the labor practices do not follow American law.
Also, I love design and the look of vintage. I think it is a charm that is lost in so many modern pieces.
Love your blog! And you have such a wonderful sense of style!! xx
Great skirt!
StylePicks
http://stylepicks.blogspot.com
I'll go ahead and give my two cents;) I enjoy vintage for a few reasons:
1. It's fun to mix and match with modern pieces to give something a new look.
2. The clothing quality is typically better.
3. I find that there is more structure to the pieces (better darting, sturdier hemlines, and the seam work is more flattering)
4. I only shop second hand this year and vintage is the best I can find:)
As far as vintage shops go, those drive me nuts!! Upwards to $70 for a day dress is ridiculous in my opinion. I tend to stick to charity stores for my vintage finds.
Hehe!
Firstly, let me say that I absolutely adore your outfit. I think you look amazing in these pics.
Secondly, I agree with you about the vintage. I will always love vintage, but there it is definitely become some kind of trendy, clubby kind of thing. The word is being flung around like crazy and it is irritating. I will never exclusively wear one type of clothing. I'd buy new or old, it doesn't matter to me.
Anthea,
Embracing Style
I am crazy about your blouse and your hair looks sooo lovely :)
I find calling it vintage rather than second hand quite funny. It sure sounds classier that way ;)
I prefer buying vintage and handmade because I often search for something quite specific that might well not be what's available in the high street that season and often I can get pre-loved good quality clothes cheaper than affordable contemporary clothes of inferior quality. I like my clothes to last a little while :)
I guess "vintage" stores in London have their rent to think of but there are limits to what I'll spend on a piece of cloth that's my senior. I like 40s cuts but finding something that is genuinely that old is certainly not a plus for me because of how delicate it'll invariably be.
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