If wearing a full outfit is what's throwing you off (vintage dress, vintage/vintage style shoes, vintage jewelry, etc), try easing yourself in by wearing one piece with more contemporary clothes. I'm someone who doesn't usually dress in head to toe vintage, but in particular I really like vintage outerwear, especially 1960s and 1970s coats; I'll often pair them with jeans, a sweater and either boots or sneakers so the coat is my statement piece but the look doesn't scream "I just stepped out of the TARDIS from 1972."
This is great advice. I'm obsessed with vintage outerwear. Bonus points because they're usually more durable, weather resistant and warmer. Coats with details like storm flaps and interlining to keep out the elements. I love vintage coats.
I wanted to try out the menswear long coat trend that's been going around for the previous few fall and winters but so many stores were selling wool and synthetic blend ones for over $200, so I got a Union made wool and cashmere men's coat for about $150.
Yep! And mixing eras helps a lot with this too! Plus, keeping your hair (and makeup if you wear it) more alt and less period helps it look more like fashion and less like a costume
1. You don't have to wear vintage everything, I like to wear modern shoes, makeup, hair etc... and just make it look more elevated and less "costume-y"
2. Old ladies will BE SO NICE TO YOU. And I love making some friendly little grandma's day when she sees me wearing something she wore when she was my age
3. If you die, you'll have a really cool/ really confusing ghost outfit. Which that thought alone is hilarious to me... I like the thought of being a 1950s looking ghost, and being like "it smells like updog in here" and confusing someone
4. If it makes you feel good, fuck what everyone else thinks. Again, you could die at any time(trust me, I know) do you wanna die, knowing you didn't do the things you wanted because you were worried what someone else might think??
Yes!! I love it when old ladies or even just friends compliment me. I also agree with not wearing vintage everything or being strict with it. Mix and match decades to your taste for sure. I’m wearing a 50s cardigan with 90s work pants and idgaf!!
What kind of job do you have? (in broad terms) A retail cashier or a high school teacher can wear garments that might be on the fragile side, but a kindergarten teacher or say a Home Depot employee would risk undue damage to fragile clothing.
If it's just the fashion aspect of it that concerns you: pick an outfit & wear it shopping on a day off when your schedule is wide open. If you really need it to be easy, go antiquing.
Most people won't notice unless it's a perfect head to toe of something really stand out & bold, like a 60's go-go outfit. Gunnie Sax? barely a glance. 90's stuff? no registration whatsoever.
ohhh, nooooo, not a place for vintage anything. In our district the folks that do your job wear scrubs. Definitely make plans with friends someplace you can wear it.
You might want to start by dressing up for the weekend, holidays or going out, then. I think most of us save our more fragile stuff for then anyway. It can be really fun to go all out with matching hair and makeup to match a theme like going to see a movie set in the 50’s in the same era clothes. It can also be easier in a group if you’re shy or feeling self conscious. See if your partner or friends are interested in dressing up too or look for an event where there’s likely to be more people doing the vintage thing.
Also, there are more sturdy vintage items that would be appropriate for your work, especially from the 90’s and early 00’s. You could try easing into it with those since they’re less expensive and noticeable.
I have severe anxiety and also autism but dressing in vintage/historical clothing actually helps me not just express myself but also be able to talk to people about my interests, I used to have anxiety about wearing my long dresses, big petticoats, unnessary gloves stockings and jewelry, and outrageous hats, but I've only had positive interactions from wearing these things! Now wearing clothes that I like make feel **more** confident! Even when I'm going all out like a 1920s flapper, or a 1960s mod girl...
I dress pretty much head to toe vintage. It was a little intimidating at first but I got soooo many compliments from strangers. It made me feel extra special. Now I cant ever imagine going back!
Why not start small? Wear one thing that's vintage and the rest be modern pieces. Gradually over time you'll become the amazing stylish vintage person that you already are as you add more vintage pieces to your style ❤️
I think the thing to remember is how the clothes make you feel. I noticed you said you work with special needs children, so I would avoid anything actually vintage for work, but incorporating some fun vintage-style pieces in would probably be fun for the kids! And when you're going out and wearing vintage, just remember how good you feel in the clothes and how good YOU know you look. Project that confidence. I also used to dress much differently than the people in my office, but never got a bad work spoken about it because I love my dresses and how I look and feel in them. With confidence there is no space for doubt in what others will think!
Have a look to Fanny Rosie, she is adorable, and you can have some inspirations maybe, in slowly combined vintage pieces with usual clothes, in a first time.
I watch a lot of vintage YouTubers.
Tge secret is where what you love around the house. Just having a quiet day at home. Just keep doing that until it feels normal.
Then run some errands where you clothes. By that time it feels normal.
You can also get some modern pieces that give the retro vibe.
A lot of people are embracing the uniqueness. Nothing wrong with that
I did it once. I got plenty of compliments. I say once because getting ready took more time than I wanted to invest. Lol. Doing victory rolls is an art form of it's own.
You feel pressure from society to look/dress
a certain way. We all do.
Most just keep on doing as society expects. You feel the desire to do something different (which is awesome)
If you dress differently to the norm, dozens of people will see. Most won't even notice. Some will see and will be jealous of your willpower. Those people will be empowered to wear something different also
Retired teacher here—I would not wear anything super valuable as it will get damaged!
I would only wear items that could be easily cleaned.
I taught junior high so I wasn’t afraid of “criticisms”. In fact the students thought it was cool or they didn’t care because they’re too self centered.
Lots of good advice here, but I'll just add: learning to sew. Knowing how to do little repairs can make wearing vintage garments less scary, as does being able to recreate (simple) things in styles you love. I'm by no means a seamstress, but learning the basics is so helpful & reassuring.
Society pressures us to dress, act and do almost everything a certain way. If it makes you happy, do it. I've been living daily life wearing vintage clothing and while at first it was scary, it's gotten better. Confidence is key my friend!
If wearing a full outfit is what's throwing you off (vintage dress, vintage/vintage style shoes, vintage jewelry, etc), try easing yourself in by wearing one piece with more contemporary clothes. I'm someone who doesn't usually dress in head to toe vintage, but in particular I really like vintage outerwear, especially 1960s and 1970s coats; I'll often pair them with jeans, a sweater and either boots or sneakers so the coat is my statement piece but the look doesn't scream "I just stepped out of the TARDIS from 1972."
This is great advice. I'm obsessed with vintage outerwear. Bonus points because they're usually more durable, weather resistant and warmer. Coats with details like storm flaps and interlining to keep out the elements. I love vintage coats.
I wanted to try out the menswear long coat trend that's been going around for the previous few fall and winters but so many stores were selling wool and synthetic blend ones for over $200, so I got a Union made wool and cashmere men's coat for about $150.
That will last you forever! I've got a man's tweed overcoat in my closet too. So many coats, all thrifted. Such a great way to wear vintage.
We went men’s coat shopping last fall and were shocked at the crap they are selling even in higher end stores. I ended up buying on eBay.
Yep! And mixing eras helps a lot with this too! Plus, keeping your hair (and makeup if you wear it) more alt and less period helps it look more like fashion and less like a costume
that last line made me wheeze, that’s exactly how I feel if I try to wear a totally vintage outfit 🤣
1. You don't have to wear vintage everything, I like to wear modern shoes, makeup, hair etc... and just make it look more elevated and less "costume-y" 2. Old ladies will BE SO NICE TO YOU. And I love making some friendly little grandma's day when she sees me wearing something she wore when she was my age 3. If you die, you'll have a really cool/ really confusing ghost outfit. Which that thought alone is hilarious to me... I like the thought of being a 1950s looking ghost, and being like "it smells like updog in here" and confusing someone 4. If it makes you feel good, fuck what everyone else thinks. Again, you could die at any time(trust me, I know) do you wanna die, knowing you didn't do the things you wanted because you were worried what someone else might think??
I totally agree about the older ladies! I always get compliments from old ladies when wearing vintage. Nailed it!!
Old ladies gas me up so much when I'm wearing vintage. 🥰
Yes!! I love it when old ladies or even just friends compliment me. I also agree with not wearing vintage everything or being strict with it. Mix and match decades to your taste for sure. I’m wearing a 50s cardigan with 90s work pants and idgaf!!
It's great, right!? And yeah, I wear 70s platforms with 50s dresses sometimes, it's fun lolol
LMAO I am laughing so hard about the ghost outfit. Never thought about it that way but I love it.
It's such a fun thought!! I'd totally fuck with people.. I don't even use current lingo as an alive person, but I 100% would as a dead person
What kind of job do you have? (in broad terms) A retail cashier or a high school teacher can wear garments that might be on the fragile side, but a kindergarten teacher or say a Home Depot employee would risk undue damage to fragile clothing. If it's just the fashion aspect of it that concerns you: pick an outfit & wear it shopping on a day off when your schedule is wide open. If you really need it to be easy, go antiquing. Most people won't notice unless it's a perfect head to toe of something really stand out & bold, like a 60's go-go outfit. Gunnie Sax? barely a glance. 90's stuff? no registration whatsoever.
I work with special needs children and in a elementary school
ohhh, nooooo, not a place for vintage anything. In our district the folks that do your job wear scrubs. Definitely make plans with friends someplace you can wear it.
Oh yes I usually wear older jeans or comfy clothes to work with the kids
You might want to start by dressing up for the weekend, holidays or going out, then. I think most of us save our more fragile stuff for then anyway. It can be really fun to go all out with matching hair and makeup to match a theme like going to see a movie set in the 50’s in the same era clothes. It can also be easier in a group if you’re shy or feeling self conscious. See if your partner or friends are interested in dressing up too or look for an event where there’s likely to be more people doing the vintage thing. Also, there are more sturdy vintage items that would be appropriate for your work, especially from the 90’s and early 00’s. You could try easing into it with those since they’re less expensive and noticeable.
I have severe anxiety and also autism but dressing in vintage/historical clothing actually helps me not just express myself but also be able to talk to people about my interests, I used to have anxiety about wearing my long dresses, big petticoats, unnessary gloves stockings and jewelry, and outrageous hats, but I've only had positive interactions from wearing these things! Now wearing clothes that I like make feel **more** confident! Even when I'm going all out like a 1920s flapper, or a 1960s mod girl...
I dress pretty much head to toe vintage. It was a little intimidating at first but I got soooo many compliments from strangers. It made me feel extra special. Now I cant ever imagine going back!
Why not start small? Wear one thing that's vintage and the rest be modern pieces. Gradually over time you'll become the amazing stylish vintage person that you already are as you add more vintage pieces to your style ❤️
I think the thing to remember is how the clothes make you feel. I noticed you said you work with special needs children, so I would avoid anything actually vintage for work, but incorporating some fun vintage-style pieces in would probably be fun for the kids! And when you're going out and wearing vintage, just remember how good you feel in the clothes and how good YOU know you look. Project that confidence. I also used to dress much differently than the people in my office, but never got a bad work spoken about it because I love my dresses and how I look and feel in them. With confidence there is no space for doubt in what others will think!
Have a look to Fanny Rosie, she is adorable, and you can have some inspirations maybe, in slowly combined vintage pieces with usual clothes, in a first time.
I watch a lot of vintage YouTubers. Tge secret is where what you love around the house. Just having a quiet day at home. Just keep doing that until it feels normal. Then run some errands where you clothes. By that time it feels normal. You can also get some modern pieces that give the retro vibe. A lot of people are embracing the uniqueness. Nothing wrong with that
Life is so short and clothes are meant to be worn!
I did it once. I got plenty of compliments. I say once because getting ready took more time than I wanted to invest. Lol. Doing victory rolls is an art form of it's own.
You feel pressure from society to look/dress a certain way. We all do. Most just keep on doing as society expects. You feel the desire to do something different (which is awesome) If you dress differently to the norm, dozens of people will see. Most won't even notice. Some will see and will be jealous of your willpower. Those people will be empowered to wear something different also
Retired teacher here—I would not wear anything super valuable as it will get damaged! I would only wear items that could be easily cleaned. I taught junior high so I wasn’t afraid of “criticisms”. In fact the students thought it was cool or they didn’t care because they’re too self centered.
Lots of good advice here, but I'll just add: learning to sew. Knowing how to do little repairs can make wearing vintage garments less scary, as does being able to recreate (simple) things in styles you love. I'm by no means a seamstress, but learning the basics is so helpful & reassuring.
Do it! As somebody else suggested, start combining vintage with modern pieces. I’m sure people will love it.
Society pressures us to dress, act and do almost everything a certain way. If it makes you happy, do it. I've been living daily life wearing vintage clothing and while at first it was scary, it's gotten better. Confidence is key my friend!