The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean
Oct 13, 2013 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
You’ll be captivated from cover to cover
A great book for the budding retro fashionista
Like your favorite new-to-you necklace, this book will become your constant companion. An accommodating accessory, it is happy to sit in your bag, its pages anxiously awaiting to feel your eyes (and maybe your tears) while you wait for the bus or settle in at your treasured park bench.
The sunny yellow dress that graces its cover will make you feel welcomed for your upcoming literary journey. The tagline sticks with you long after the story has ended: “Never underestimate the power of vintage.”
If you’re new to the vintage lifestyle you may be asking yourself, what’s so special about old clothes? You are not alone and our protagonist Dora faces the same quandary. Ms. McKean expertly conveys real emotion as Dora proceeds on her odyssey. As her tale draws you in, it’s easy to find yourself stepping into Dora’s shoes. Rooting for her and relating to her, you’ll find the pages turning quickly!
From the outside looking in, Dora observes that vintage fashionistas appear confident and so sure of their place in the universe – as if they channeled all of their garment’s histories to fortify their awesomeness. On the surface, this story is about a young woman discovering her true self with the strength of her grandmother’s love. But as you read on, it easily translates to a story of acceptance. While Dora doubts her ability to become a confident vintage version of herself, she discovers that just coming into her own is all that’s needed. She reminds us that fashion doesn’t have to be a mechanical choice we make at the beginning of our day, it can be an opportunity to position ourselves in a place of confidence within the cosmos! As our author reminds us, vintage dresses “made getting dressed deliberate and serious, something to pay attention to.” (McKean 9) In our modern, fast-paced world so many things seem to demand our attention. Can vintage remind us to slow down and appreciate cultivating our real presence rather than our digital profiles?
Dora’s multifaceted journey contains many easy-to-relate-to threads: wasting time on flirty guys, falling hard for someone you’ve just met, casting aside the butterflies in your tummy when you realize you’re in charge, and learning to cope. But the overarching theme, the soul of this book, remains true to Dora’s grandma Mimi and her love of vintage. Mimi captures the essence of why vintage holds a special place in so many peoples’ hearts. “We’re not selling them something less expensive, we’re selling them something more special…We have to show them how they can be the new heroine in the story.” (McKean 48,49)
While our author may toggle among different sub-themes, she never loses sight of the story’s soul. Trusting her accomplished pen, it’s easy to believe Dora’s evolution. As she grows she finds herself channeling Mimi’s strength, explaining her grandma’s mission “she wasn’t selling something to wear, she was selling something to be.” (McKean 252)
Just imagine what your dress has seen
For us here at Cause A Frockus, that’s the magic of vintage. You get to choose who you want to be every time you curate an outfit. It may be that pearl necklace that makes you feel like Jackie O. when you pair it with a t-shirt and jeans or perhaps the full enchilada: sassy heels with shoe clips, stockings, and that dress that screams “fancy cocktail party in Manhattan.” Dressing uniquely is fun and in our modern times it seems to be something reserved for fashion’s elite: the actresses’ who only wear dresses once. But vintage is accessible and you’re virtually guaranteed something exclusive!
This sweet book is so much more than it seems on the surface. The plot details add charm and the surprises create a layered story that made us lose ourselves in the narrative. It also gave us a reason to explore our own emotions. And who doesn’t want an excuse to reconsider a favorite vintage dress? If you ever feel like you’ve lost that “vintage feeling” pick up this book and immerse yourself. Be prepared: one of the side effects is a desire to relive your own cherished vintage memories. We know once that back cover is shut you’ll feel ready to conquer the world, one extraordinary look at a time!
Cause A Frockus would like to thank our tremendous resources: Erin McKean and the wondeful people who post their imagery on Wikipedia Commons without restriction.
For our readers:
What does vintage mean to you?
Have you read this book? Tell us what you think!