Vintage Style - just another fashion?
By hvedra
@hvedra (1619)
November 18, 2011 6:45am CST
Now, I do like a lot of Vintage styles and I can see a lot more thought goes into it than a lot of the mass produced fashions that change every five minutes. If you know you like the styles of a particular decade and want to stick with them that's better than being dictated to by others.
However, I've noticed that a lot of vintage blogs spend a lot of time talking about what to buy - surely this is the fashion industry in a different framework?
Does it perhaps stop being a fun choice when you can only have Vintage things or start to do things because they are Vintage and not because you actually like them?
Just because you like Vintage style does it automatically follow that anything post that period is bad or ugly?
There was an article in the Daily Fail today about a guy who is 1930's mad.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2063072/Meet-Mr-Thirties-The-man-home-lifestyle-stuck-year-war.html
Whilst his house looks cosy and he seems to be enjoying himself, when does it stop being living and being full time re-enacting? He has vintage packets in his larder but in the 1930's that would have been reserved for food. There are other things about the house that are for decoration when originally they would have been for practical purposes only and probably kept tucked away.
Do people become enslaved by "alternative" styles just as much as so-called mainstream fashion ones?
2 people like this
12 responses
@derek_a (10874)
•
19 Nov 11
Those pictures in the article look great. A true site of a era that has gone by. I wasn't alive then - well I should think not! 
But I have seen some cine footage of these times on TV and some stills that my parents had.
I am wondering if the guy in the article has a TV, or if he has central heating... I couldn't see a sign of a radiator. But looking at the outside of the house, he has a modern burglar alarm siren on the wall, near the roof.. So he is not totally without modern gadgets and I wonder what he he is protecting with that alarm.. Probably his antiques, because the house is filled with them. 
_Derek
But I have seen some cine footage of these times on TV and some stills that my parents had.
I am wondering if the guy in the article has a TV, or if he has central heating... I couldn't see a sign of a radiator. But looking at the outside of the house, he has a modern burglar alarm siren on the wall, near the roof.. So he is not totally without modern gadgets and I wonder what he he is protecting with that alarm.. Probably his antiques, because the house is filled with them. _Derek1 person likes this
@hvedra (1619)
•
22 Nov 11
It says he has a TV but an old black and white set. I don't know about central heating but there is a gas fire behind that screen - when it was originally an open fire.
He also has fitted carpets which would be highly unusual in ordinary homes back then, they tended to have lino or wood flooring and rugs (because the rugs could be taken outside and beaten to clean them).
@leeloo (1492)
• Portugal
19 Nov 11
There are people who will always were something because they like it even if it old or not popular any more. I remember a line from a movie where a character was complaining about a teen doing something or other then man mentioned he had socks older then him, at the time I found that odd, but I realized I had a jacket and a few odds and ends that belonged to my mum from when she was young which I still wear - now I could call it vintage, it is easier then calling it old.
The gentleman in the story is basically a collector who lives his collection, this is no different to a person who has his house dedicated to his favourite football team or re-enactors who for instance will have their homes dedicated to their favourite book or character or show - there are a lot of houses with science fiction themes - and unlike steampunks which is more about the fashion then the era. I think a lot of what is shown in the images is actually stored and neatly packed and was brought out for the photos because I am sure many of those pieces are difficult to find, but it is interesting how absorbing collecting can be.
1 person likes this
@hvedra (1619)
•
22 Nov 11
I think collecting things can soon slip over into hoarding and obesession. Where it starts to get really damaging is where they have to have a certain thing even when they can't afford it or even when it isn't practical at all. When it starts to be done "just because" and not because it is enjoyable or the best thing I think the line has been crossed.
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
18 Nov 11
its living with what he already have rather than spending much on modern yet expensive things, well then if its his fashion looks good to me, when im in his house i would feel im from another time.
thank you for this post and have a nice day to you...
1 person likes this
@HoniHania (29)
•
18 Nov 11
I can say this: Clothing styles are an extension of personality. Personally, I wear what I want irregardless of what the "style" is. I do not care what other people wear. I wear what is comfortable and functional for me. What difference does it make to wear something that other people wear if you do not like it? To the whole world I say, "Be who you are."
@ygna21 (294)
• Bulgaria
18 Nov 11
I think you should follow a trend only if you really like it not because it is fashionable and everyone else does it.
If you like the vintage trend it doesn't mean you have to like everything vintage..you can still choose the stuff that look good on you or are right for you.
1 person likes this
@Kiara28 (24)
•
21 Dec 11
There are times that people are enslaved by alternative maybe because sometimes the style they want is quite expensive. I am also a lover of vintage fashion and displays. You can look for fashion trends on www.lifo.com. It is a social network for girls that focuses on the latest fashion,social causes beauty and health and lifestyle issues.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
20 Nov 11
I want to say that vintage fashion is going to go out of style, but so far, doesn't look like this one is going away any time soon because women, and even a lot of men seem to love the vintage style. I think that the reason why people like the vintage style is because a lot of it is comfortable or there are certain styles that work with their body type. For me, it's a combination for the 70s and 80s for me, and the reason why I like that type is because for me it's comfortable and it works with my body type. Again, it's all about what works for you.
1 person likes this
@tessah (6617)
• United States
18 Nov 11
used to be called retro.. but yer right, the fashion industry has jumped on the masses who have preferred vintage clothing for whatever reason they chose it.. they liked the style, or it was just simply cheaper to shop at thrift and consignment/used clothing shops, and have made it an industry boom. while i love to see some of the more tailored clean lines of years gone by, it is, as you say.. just another indusry fad to turn a profit.. and in this, there will always be those who get obsessive and over the top
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159173)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Nov 11
I think people can get addicted or enslaved by any style they tend to like. I enjoy vintage things. I know they are made better than mainstream fashion is. People took pride in their work back then and things were not really able to be made on the assembly line then.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
22 Nov 11
There is always a chance where people can be a slave to fashion regardless of what the clothing line is. There are just going to be a lot of times where people find themselves rather enslaved by the mainstream or the alternative. In fact, alternative fashions might be another trick to get people who think they are above the mainstream clothing lines to put money in the pockets of others. A good trick mind you but still the trick.
I don't really care about fashion to be honest with you. I think that whatever fits me is really going to be the style that is for me. Regardless of its alternative or mainstream, it is still a very distinct consumer trap as far as I am concerned. Although some people do go a bit too far in their fashion and it does appall me to an extent.
1 person likes this
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
18 Nov 11
Going vintage is not bad as long as it looks and feel good. But there are some designers who just copy the designs from the past and put some twist on it to make it look more appealing and trendy.
When you've mentioned the word vintage, what comes into my mind are the antiques or collectible items. I know that antiques are quite expensive. But otherwise, buying 2nd hands can be money saving when you buy on thrift shops.
With your question if people became enslaved by alternative styles or otherwise, I believe that it was not being enslaved but whatever makes them happy would not equal to any other things in this world.
Have a nice day!!!
@sam8911 (35)
• United States
18 Nov 11
I personally like the vintage style. Particularly the pin up or what i would believe to be the 50's style. It is classy yet sexy at the same time. Also the hair styles from that time were super cute. Of course you need to stock up on your hair spray :)
1 person likes this
