If I'm completely honest, I never felt that I could pull off a vintage, retro or rockabilly styles. I loved scrolling through Pinterest swooning over the aesthetic of it all! I admired it from afar and vicariously lived through my friends who wore petticoats and victory rolls every day. I just never imagined or considered it for myself!
It wasn't until I'd moved to the UK and had a bit more time because of the seemingly never-ending lockdowns during the pandemic - that I took to the internet and dipped my toe into the vast expanse that is vintage and/or retro. I began simply - a pin curl here or a head scarf there - and of course, red anything.
I began to discover reproduction brands such as the Collectif and British Retro. I adored the swing dresses and skirts - and I bought my very first petticoat! I daren't part from her and I'll hold onto her until she's hanging by the stitches! She's my old faithful!
My favourite dresses in the beginning were these two! My 'Way Out West' and my 'Peter Pan' collared dress from British Retro. I kept my styling simple and very matchy-matchy - I rarely wore accessories and thought a wet set as a real task! Oh, it's ironic looking back at it now!
Early on, I discovered that dressing in this way does draw attention. It inspires questions and it is intriguing to others - but I've not ever had a negative experience with someone approaching me about how I was dressed. Mostly, people are complimentary or have lots of questions. My favourite memories are when older generations actually thank me and tell me stories about their younger years. It was something I couldn't have predicted!
I have loved every minute of the journey up until this point, even when I took time away from it and prescribed to Primark jeans and hoodies, I was still invested in the vintage glamour and the 'eccentric' beauty that lined and laced the decades I never knew.
My only advice? Start small. Start simply.
And the rest will follow!
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