Vintage is a state of mind.
There's no political litmus test for it, no classification of personality type, no guarantee of moral or civic inclination -- but one thing I have come to understand, as a lifetime history buff, antiques enthusiast, and, incidentally, having worked in antique stores where I got to meet like-minded vintage souls: if you like old stuff, I like you. Almost for sure.
See, I think that an appreciation for our history knits us together with a common thread that colors almost all other considerations. We can see our own time in the bigger blanket of the times that have gone before us. And, among other things, this perspective helps us pick out what is classic and lasting. Like each other. (winkwink) But, certainly this appreciation also includes what we've learned from history, socially, politically, and philosophically -- and materially. (I mean stuff!)The true vintage-minded enthusiast literally picks out classic and lasting things and incorporates them into their lives, too. You can see the history-love in their homes.
We can't help ourselves. History buffs pick up vintage ephemera and antiques to accessorize with, and most of us tend toward traditional, if not antique furniture and architectural styles. We have vintage kitchen implements in our drawers or hanging on our walls; we tend toward classic color schemes instead of following current trends. We have libraries full of classic books. (happy sigh) A Catholic household like ours, doesn't hesitate to display crucifixes and religious images as our ancestors did before us. Mindfully or not, we surround ourselves with the trappings of the era of history we find most comfortable and comforting. It's our happy place. A little bit of yesterday in today.
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| Dominic and Michelle, Dublin, 2012 They were mistaken several times for locals! They could be Dubliners from the 1930s! |
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| Gabe and William doing a little soft shoe for family theater. These two have always leaned naturally toward more formal attire -- and have a shelf full of hats that they do actually wear! |
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| Kevin and Ina. A German dirndl is truly timeless and beautiful (as is Ina!) and Kevvy's trousers, tie, and vest combo is classic, too. Could be from any time in the last century. |
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| L-R: Kevvy, Gabe, Cathy, Anna, Sr.A, William, and Dominic --- Christmas, 2017, but the little boys' suit jackets are over thirty years old; they belonged to my cousins and then my brothers, and were passed down through all six of our boys -- and now are in our grandson's wardrobe. |
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| Dominic and Monica, stylish in any generation. |
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| Anna and Sr.A, dressed up for family theater production, The Green Dagger, (c.2017), but both dresses are in their every day wardrobes. |
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| Paul, Green Dagger role, '18 but he looks pretty natural, I think, in a bowler hat. |
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| Anna. We call this her "nanny dress." Could pass for the 1950s easily. |
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| Kevin and Ina's wedding, in Uberlingen, Baden, Germany, 2018. Everything here: Timeless. |
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| Gabe with a friend, when he was still just a little squirt. |
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| We always have to try on the hats. Sr. A (and Gabe) |
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| Dominic's inner German. Typical Sunday attire: bow tie and sus- penders. The only thing added here was the chapeau. |
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| These two would have been comfortable in pretty much any era. Dominic and Monica at a Ren Festival |
Anyway -- there you have it, a vintage girl's opinion. (A thing has to be over forty years old to be called vintage. so I qualify!) I love seeing someone who's dressed like they could be picked up and dropped in almost any decade of the last century and would fit in just fine. With an eye toward modesty and universally timeless aesthetics -- seriously -- how could you go wrong? Having a vintage aura means you're not swayed by the latest breeze that blows, but are rooted in a real feel for what has lasting value and appeal. I sense that we are moving into a time when this ideal will become the fad. I hope we are! America needs something solid and dependable to hold onto, and needs to know it needs it. We dress not only for how we want to be seen, but for how we want to feel. And I strongly sense that many Americans will soon be longing for the good old days, and a vintage state of mind will be our universal happy place. That, God willing and we work hard enough for it, might also be mirrored in our culture. Wouldn't it be something if hats and vests and ties and twirly skirts and pearls were flying off the shelves instead of yoga pants and tee shirts! It could happen. Ya never know; these days anything is possible -- nothing would surprise me!
7 comments:
What a great trip down memory lane! And so true that we should aim for the timeless in our day-to-day lives.
In today's world of fashion, just about anything goes. I see people dressed in so many different ways I'm never surprised. To each his or her own, I say! As to vintage things, I've plenty of them around the house because I just like having them. My newest acquisition, however, may or may not become a classic. We'll see. We've been watching "The Mandalorian" and I fell in love with the child, Grogu (baby Yoda),and just bought a version of it. Couldn't help myself. :)
What a beautiful post! Your writing about what vintage means to us vintage-lovers really resonates with me. All of the pictures are beautiful. The German church - breathtaking.
This is my first time visiting your blog, and I am looking forward to many more visits to read your older stuff. Thank you for this.
I think we would like each other indeed! When we built our house, I wanted a "Grandma" house. My husband leans toward classic Italian - so we compromised on both. The kitchen and tv room valances are made from cutter embroidered pillow cases and linens. Estate sales are heaven. I love vintage fashion, but am never brave enough to pull it off. There is still time, but I'm in yoga pants as I type! Enjoyed your post and wonderful pics of your vintage family.
Yep, we could be friends. Every corner of my house has SOMETHING that has been handed down through my family. But vintage clothing is not something I can do. A gal in my DAR chapter shops vintage clothing and wears it so well that you have to pay attention to notice the age of her skirt or hat or purse.
One of the comforting and entertaining aspects of this area where I now reside is the plethora of antique shops. What a treat to shop the treasures of a bygone era. Kind of shocking, too, to see items termed “vintage” that were useful and relied upon during my childhood and growing up years.
A thoughtful essay and delightful photos! If they were in sepia tone they might pass for real antique photos too. I've always loved vintage things and even live in a vintage house just over a century old as I slowly become vintage myself. Over the years I've decided the best old things are small items people touched or wore. This winter on my daily walk I've bundled up for the cold with a khaki wool scarf my mother knitted for my dad in 1951 when he went off to Korea. It's scratchy and not very stylish, but I love it because it always reminds me of the hands that knitted it and the soldier's neck that it kept warm.
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