It’s been a few days since I posted the poll asking your take on your personal style, and I’ve been eager to share the results! Not only did we have poll results, though, there are also some great answers in the comment section of the original post (read them by clicking the link) where some of you commented describing your style- either elaborating or describing a rendition that wasn’t covered on the poll. I find your results very interesting and I loved learning more about how you would describe your style :)
At the time this screen cap was taken there were 237 votes and 24 comments. Wow!
In the lead with the most votes by far were those of you who dress with throwback to vintage with new or self-made clothing. Next up were those of you who dress in modern clothing day-to-day and dress in vintage or historic style for events. The next runner-up were those of you who dress in modern clothing but like to read or study vintage clothing, and right after that were those of you who wear a throwback to vintage using thrifted and store-bought clothing. The last two votes were those who dress entirely in vintage or reproductions- be it period specific or not. Several of you left comments that you’re a mixture of the options available in the polls- ranging from wanting to dress more vintage, to dressing as closely as possible, to a mix of a lot depending on the day!
It’s been really interesting for me to read these results and I’m really happy to know there are so many takes on how you interpret vintage and incorporate it into your hobbies or style. It’s pretty fascinating!
I usually try not to get super personal on the blog, but I figured since I did the poll I’d let you know about my style, too ;) I’ve gone through a lot of change in my style life over the years, and I think at one time or another I’ve fit into several of these categories. Until after college I dressed almost solely in modern clothing and didn’t know there were events and such I could go to to dress up (other than my brief involvement in the swing craze in the late 90s). I just collected antique and vintage clothing and studied about it because I wanted to. When I did find out about vintage and historic events I would dress in modern clothes most of the time and just dress up for the events. When I found out there was a whole vintage subculture I found I was dressing and making vintage clothing more, but still wore my modern clothing in day-to-day life. As I got more involved in vintage events and vintage interest online forums and blogs I found my modern wardrobe shrinking and my vintage and repro wardrobe growing more and more- both because I financially wasn’t able to balance spending on a modern and vintage wardrobe and because I came from the background of sewing historic costumes and found it hard to break out of my “accuracy” mode. For the last several years I’ve found my style has been a combination of a thrifted retro style and vintage clothing and sewn-by-me reproductions, but then historically as accurate as I could be for events. Now, however, I’m feeling a big shift again and I’m thinking about the time when I personally felt the most confident and felt pretty- and for me that was when I wore mostly modern clothing (maybe with a retro or vintage item thrown in), and had the vintage or historical dressing as my hobby on the weekend. I’ve always been completely undisciplined when it comes to doing vintage hair and makeup on a frequent basis, and even when I got closest to day-to-day vintage style I always felt sloppy and not pretty. I recognize my style shortcomings and I think I’m finally settling into a happy medium where I can both feel true to myself and feel confident in my personal day-to-day style again. Or at least, that’s what I hope ;) Instead of internalizing what other folks like and trying to dress in a way that fits that but still trying to find something that fits for me, I’m just going to do what I like for me. It’s somewhat freeing, really! Of course, the vintage and historic fashion is a life-long passion for me and I’m still planning all sorts of projects I want to start on. But I’m also learning that I made it into somewhat of an obsession instead of a healthy interest- and I’m hoping to re-invest in other styles and interests I haven’t explored in a while in my spare time, too. It’s funny in a way- we’ve gone through some challenging times lately and it always ends up there are blessings in the midst of challenges. I’m thankful to have stopped long enough to be forced to look up and look around- like out of a fog- and take inventory of where I am and where I want to be.
What I loved about finding out about all of you were your different takes on you personal style. It’s neat to hear what makes YOU all happy and confident and what your style is like. It is really inspiring! It shows there are many different ways to show and share your passions. It’s really quite remarkable so THANK YOU for taking the time to vote in the poll and share your thoughts with me :)
3hourspast
October 7, 2011 at 8:54 pm (13 years ago)I find the loveliest types of blessings often come out of challenging times.
Thank you for sharing so much!
wearinghistory
October 10, 2011 at 4:57 pm (13 years ago)So true! And thank you :) You are really inspiring with your approach to sewing, vintage, and style!
Miss Virginia
October 7, 2011 at 10:19 pm (13 years ago)I know what you mean about “accuracy” mode…I’m a living historian and I started out sewing clothes for the events. At the time I was dressing completely modern and satisfied my dressing-up craving by reenacting. Then I learned about the vintage subculture and veered totally towards that, and wore nothing but vintage for awhile–but it got to be too much, sadly. Now I’m more in the middle, I make a lot of my clothes but buy some as well, and my degree of vintage dressing is determined by the weather & occasion. But I can say that reenacting & wearing full vintage has made me a lot braver about wearing crazy outfits in public–or at least, stuff that’s not the mainstream! So now I wear whatever pleases me, be it vintage/old fashioned/completely modern/whatever. :) I really admire those who can pull off the whole “stepped out of 1937” look but unfortunately I can’t pull it off on a day-to-day basis.
So glad you did this poll, it’s been really fascinating looking at the results! :)
wearinghistory
October 10, 2011 at 4:59 pm (13 years ago)I completely understand! It’s so funny- clothes are so fun, and I love studying/making things, but it’s so easy to get engulfed in things and forget why we’re doing it in the first place! Your journey sounds a lot like the one I’ve been on, so I really appreciate your comments!
Miss Virginia
October 7, 2011 at 10:21 pm (13 years ago)I forgot to add that I know exactly what you mean about vintage becoming an “obsession” instead of a “healthy interest”….for about a year it was my obsession, now I’m slowly on the rebound and learning how to balance both my vintage and modern sides.
Casey
October 7, 2011 at 11:14 pm (13 years ago)Very well put, Lauren! :) I’m with Virginia–I tend to wear whatever pleases me on a given day! ;) I think too, that dressing in a way you’re 100% comfortable is exceedingly important. I myself have sometimes tried to pigeonhole myself into a certain level of “vintageness” and usually end up feeling really stifled and bored with the whole thing. As I said in my FB comment, I go through phases too, which plays a lot into how I look on a given day. Right now I’m totally digging the set hair and full 50s skirts look and am running with it! But I can guarantee you next week I’ll most likely be loving a plain ol’ ponytail and jeans. ;)
Anyway, I wanted to say thank you for broaching this topic of conversation on your blog! I think it’s really interesting to see how others approach vintage dressing and be able to discuss it in a nice way. :) So many times I see divisions between the “groups”, and much prefer a happy mingling! :)
wearinghistory
October 10, 2011 at 5:06 pm (13 years ago)I completely agree, Casey! Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in things, but when we take a step back we realize that the only expectations we have to live up to are our own, as far as things like style and such go. It’s easy to put big expectations on ourselves, but really- there’s times for the serious things, and when we make the fun things too serious and they become a chore- it’s time to pull the reins in! Haha. Sometimes our passions can become a beast of their own ;)
I appreciate your comment! It is such a shame to see such divisions about dress, and I agree the mingling is my favorite, too. I always have more to learn and I love when people are open about their style and skills :)
wacky tacky
October 8, 2011 at 1:43 am (13 years ago)Here, here! I think an interest in historical fashion/costume gives us the opportunity to meet with like-minded people (both online and off) but in the end the clothing is just clothing. I find find that I am much more drawn to people that have something to offer beyond an ad nauseum discussion of their clothing. Needless to say, as someone who sews and buys a lot of old clothing, I truly appreciate the value of a well-designed garment. I hope, however, that I am more than what I wear. I am certainly blessed to know you Lauren as you are certainly more than just your amazing clothes. Thanks for this interesting discussion – I think you’re pretty neat in skinny jeans or full, Victorian mourning dress!
wearinghistory
October 10, 2011 at 5:07 pm (13 years ago)I completely agree! People are more fun than mannequins ;)
I am thankful for your comment, and I feel the same way about you and Mary!
Amy
October 8, 2011 at 3:16 am (13 years ago)Hello! Long time lurker – first time commenting!
I thought the poll was a fantastic idea! As long as I’ve been able to dress myself, I’ve been challenging what society considers ‘normal’ clothing. I love to wake up and dress to the nines in my vintage 50s/60s wardrobe one day, or just wear jeans the next. In every outfit, I strive to pull a vintage flair.
Lovely post, and lovely blog!
wearinghistory
October 10, 2011 at 5:08 pm (13 years ago)Thank you for the comment! I agree- clothes are fun, so do what you love!
americanduchess
October 9, 2011 at 3:50 am (13 years ago)Lauren! I’ve given you a blog award for awesomeness in historical costuming and bloggery:
http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2011/10/duchies-awards-for-excellence-in.html
Congratz!
wearinghistory
October 10, 2011 at 5:08 pm (13 years ago)Thank you!! Woohoo!
Alice
October 10, 2011 at 5:13 am (13 years ago)these results are so interesting! I think I’m one category slowly going towards more actual costumey stuff right now :)
vestigialwings.blogspot.com
Jen O
October 27, 2011 at 10:50 am (12 years ago)This poll was a great idea, and what you found out rings true. It’s cool to see how much variety there is out there in ‘vintage wearing’ land, from wearing small bits of history to full-on vintage from head to toe!