Why I love vintage
Jun 11, 2014 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
1950s models in Tel Aviv, they look fab don’t they?
Welcome to our new series, From the Creative Director. I love researching topics, interviewing experts, and reviewing movies/books, but sometimes there are things on my mind and this series will help me discuss them with you. I figured what better place to start than at the beginning? There are so many reasons why I love vintage, but also a few reasons why I’m challenged by going retro. Please let me know if you face the same struggles or experience the same joys…
Why I love vintage
“Make Do and Mend”
While I’ve only been consciously buying vintage for the last few years, I’m realizing more and more that I’ve been a retro gal my whole life. As a child I always connected more with my elders than my peers; I loved hearing about the adventures of my great aunts, great grandma, and grandparents. My very first vintage purchase, the first item I curated on my own without having it handed down to me, is a framed photo of a winter scene. The wooden frame is homemade and a pencil mark under the picture says “Leonard, 1950.” I bought it from Goodwill and would invent imaginative stories about who Leonard was and what made the woodland area so special to him. What can I say, I’ve always loved a great narrative. But there are many other reasons why I love vintage… let me count the ways!
The economic advantage
As your typical millennial couple, my husband and I have followed our passions more than the standard, traditional life milestones. This wanderlust has led us to six different cities in four different states during our eight years together. We’ll always treasure the memories and experiences, but it has had financial consequences. Vintage has been a great way to furnish our home with pieces that are actually made well. When your only workable budget takes you to IKEA, it usually means you can’t afford anything that will last your whole twelve month lease. In one visit to a Salvation Army store we were able to get more pieces for less money (all we needed was a bit of extra elbow grease to clean them up!)
Vintage makes it easy to be unique
Growing up in small town Nebraska, standing out was not encouraged. I couldn’t afford to buy my clothes at the mall and that pained me. The goal was always to blend in; your ability to camouflage meant you could survive. Admittedly it’s taken decades to break that mindset. Buying something from the mannequin doesn’t make you better than someone else, it just means that you are good at following the herd.
Plaza del Norte, shopping at its finest??
Saying something unique with your look is special. Life is too short to not want to showcase your point of view, your originality. Vintage makes this easy. When we entertain, our home immediately tells visitors all about us. Real, honest conversations are made easier because people feel comfortable opening up as we have. Our home doesn’t look like a catalog and I love that about it!
Sustainability made simple
I could go on and on about the positive environmental aspects of vintage. (I mean, just check out the piece I wrote for Iowa Graph magazine.) I feel vintage is especially important now as we find ourselves living in a disposable society. The “throwaway” movement that took root in the 1960s has evolved into a large, commercial monster. And its effects are felt globally.
Mumbai slums, do the people who make your things live here?
Consider for a moment the $2 towel you can buy from Target. Sounds like a great deal, it’s easy, convenient, and made in Pakistan. But in time that towel will fall apart due to quality issues and you’ll find yourself driving back to Target for its replacement. Again, you may say big deal. But that’s a lot of international forces and energy being put into motion for one towel. You know Target is making a profit on it and with such a low price point you have to wonder how that works. A global economy is a great thing, but the way our model functions isn’t sustainable. Not from an environmental perspective and certainly not from a social one. We Heart Vintage, Couture Allure, and The Guardian have all written brilliant pieces on this very subject.
Nostalgia
My Grandma Helen, who wouldn’t want to be reminded to be this awesome??
In previous years nostalgia was seen as a negative attribute – a sign of serious mental illness. But that opinion is changing and I’m inclined to agree with more current schools of thought regarding the positive aspects of being nostalgic. Granted I’m a proponent of balance in all things, but it is nice to take lessons and inspiration from the past. My grandma Helen passed away a couple years ago and I miss her everyday. Whenever I wear one of her brooches or sit in a chair she gave me, I’m reminded of her strength and grace. You can’t live entirely in the past, you must embrace the present and look to the future. But for me, seeing my lineage before me inspires me to live fully and do my ancestors proud.
The downsides of going vintage
As with all decisions, there’s always two sides to every choice. While for me the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives, it wouldn’t be fair to not address these hurdles. Tell me if you think I’ve missed anything challenging!
Other people not getting it
There’s no question that standing out from the crowd takes confidence. During my travels for Cause A Frockus I’ve been able to experience many different cities and vintage scenes. While I’m happy to report that most places have great “retro pockets” blooming, there are still areas where people question your vintage passion. It’s sometimes hard to channel the extra strength needed when you encounter people that take one look at you and say “too bad you can’t afford to buy something new.”
“A Tired Seamstress” by Angelo Trezzini
You gotta be patient
Patience is a virtue and it’s definitely one you have to have in big supply when you go vintage. Even planning an outfit can take additional effort. For example, if we’re running around downtown I may not wear my tighter pencil skirts or heels so I can breathe as I’m keeping up with the crowd. If it’s hot I don’t wear my bakelite or a dress that requires layers of petticoats and slips. Even shopping becomes a delicate process. Since you can’t just order what you want, you have to search. Don’t get me wrong, I love the thrill of the hunt but it is another layer of consideration. It’s always a bummer to have a day of shopping under your belt with nothing to show for it (at least not the item you were originally
seeking!)
Be ready to investment time
Building off my previous point, vintage takes time. Whether it’s waiting for a tailor to redo your latest purchase, making the modifications yourself, or finding a restoration expert, retro things require an extra level of attention. And you also have to consider future use as old things are, well, old. Tender loving care is always in order and while it’s well worth the energy, it is a factor for scheduling other things on the calendar!
Cause A Frockus would like to thank their tremendous resources: NY Times, We Heart Vintage, Couture Allure, The Guardian, and the people who post their images without restriction.
For our readers: Why do you love vintage and how do you cope with people who don’t understand your vintage choices?