I would like for there to be a resurgence in the appreciation of the "put-together mature woman" aesthetic. As a Gen X woman, I would love for there to be a "Forever 51" fashion philosophy, where instead of just shoving us into boring basics or trendy young clothes, there is actually a celebration of this phase of life.
Hi, Thank you. I'll sign up to that email list immediately, 15% discount or not. Especially if they make things not following any fast trends. I don't appreciate having to change out my wardrobe all the 8 seasons of the year. Yours, Ann
The person that had the question about gender: I see you! I feel you! I get what you mean. It can be hard with vintage because in the times these styles were worn the gender norms were much more rigid so you kinda end up swinging between a 50s housewife and a starved gay poet from the Belle Epoque Paris. Now, if you`re reading this, I obviously don`t know anything about you and the way you present yourself but here is how what I do. You gotta focus on the pieces that historically have been worn by both genders. Like for example vests (vests, in general, are wonderful, gender euphoria is stored in those little suckers), blazers, white collars, overalls, cardigans, oxford shoes, etc. And then you can match more masc- and more femme-looking pieces together into funky outfits. Hope this helps
Hard agree that vests are awesome, and also that billowy pirate blouses, or the pirate look in general is great on any and all genders of person! I also would like "a starved gay poet from the Belle Epoque Paris" partner, I mean...pinterest board. Also accepting applications from peaky blinders or wandering bards of all genders as well, inquire at the front desk...
I second the Vest and Oxfords suggestion for androgyny! If vests aren't your thing, perhaps suspenders might work. Sweaters of all kinds are also a good option, as are the great range of colorful things to tie around your neck! Neckerchiefs, ties, scarves, cravats, whatnot. Katharine Hepburn is GOALS, oh my god
i feel like playing with fit and accessories can go a long way towards making something more casual or androgynous! one thing that always struck me about katherine hepburn was her clothes tended to fit more loosely than other actresses of the time wearing button up blouses and trousers, and that made things more androgynous. you could go for boxier cuts, for example, to lean more masc, or flowy or lacy items for femme styling. play around with makeup, shoes and jewellery to accentuate or juxtapose your outfit! as for making things more casual / modern, i always think wearing purposefully oversized items, styling your outfit 'fashionably rumpled' (e.g. messy cuffs, not doing up buttons) and adding lace up boots to any outfit takes things towards modern and androgynous. sometimes the way to go is think 'if i was wearing this in the 50s would people on the street be confused?'. i say gender is stored in the chonky boot
Preschool teacher here: I don't wear wholly vintage, but I do wear my nice clothes/personal style to work because I interact with parents every day too and want to be seen as professional and put together. My nice clothes just have boogers, paint, and otherwise on them. I do have specific blazers set aside for work that can be thrown in the wash as opposed to dry-cleaned so that I always have my preferred style lines and feel like my most confident self. If you're going to wear vintage into the classroom I would go with reproductions or self-made, stuff you know you can wash easily/regularly without it falling apart.
Warmest “non ski-pants” winter clothing is pants or leggings under a full length skirt. The skirt provides a bell to trap the air your body has warmed, close to your body. The pants provide an extra layer to trap air. That’s how insulation works - it’s the ability to trap air pockets. When you arrive at your school or workplace you can then slip off either the pants OR the skirt, and go about your day at indoor temperatures - you don’t even need a washroom or change room. A wrap skirt is particularly easy to remove, and make of whatever fabric you choose, if you prefer to wear pants during your day.
Plus layers under the skirt protect you from drafts and breezes. There is a great video of ways of beating the cold from Jessica Kellgren Fozard who is a vintage style loving youtuber. Even if fashion isn't the main focus of the bulk of her content these days there are older videos that are useful on her channel. I think the one Im thinking of is something like how to keep warm in style.
I am a lecturer who teaches future teachers and I wear a lot of 40s style dresses and some 50s style dresses. And wide-legged trousers and a sweater/shirt works when dresses are not appropriate.
I'm not a teacher myself, but back in high school I had a teacher (who became a friend after the years) who wears a lot of 50s, and she swears by suits, or like you said, wide-legged trousers and fun shirts.
Just a note on staying warm in vintage fashion: according to my grandmother and her contemporaries (who were born between 1920-1950 and survived Canadian winters): women wore silk or wool long underwear (tops and bottoms) with wool or other opaque stockings that would come over the knee under a wool dress and cardigan with shoes indoors or when going to a dressier occasion. They would wear slacks or trousers with blouses and sweaters over the same undergarments previously mentioned with boots when they were outside for work or recreation. Skirts and dresses can also be tucked into “snow suits” while outside.
i think petticoats for 50s styles are also an underrated way to add warmth - long skirt + heattech/thermal stockings + layers of petticoats to trap air + wool coat can be pretty warm!
In the 80s, we wore nylons and tights, and, as my sister showed me in church one Sunday, you can wear long johns under your Guinne Sax and knee length boots AND NO ONE WILL KNOW!
I often wonder about this when I'm watching 1940s period dramas - in Bomb Girls are lot of them are just wearing stockings in winter, and stockings are not tights and don't keep your legs warm during winter :( but maybe they're just doing this for aesthetic reasons on TV. In the coldest months of the year (below 10c) I wear wool skirts and wool tights and knee length boots and that does tend to be warmer than the equivalent pants because it's more layers of wool. I don't wear jeans in winter cause they just aren't warm enough.
There’s a lot of truth to what Bianca said about women not spending much time out in the cold in dress clothing. Even here in Minnesota, I have dashed across a downtown street in sub-freezing weather in my office clothes, no coat. Vintage clothing is fine for going from home to taxi to office. They also wore fur coats which were very very warm.
I get free community college because of where I live, and I'm taking flat pattern-drafting my first semester because of all the amazing things you've taught here. Thank you so much for all you do to share fashion skills and projects.
@@nyxskids I'm so incredibly lucky to have this opportunity and I'm gonna use it to the fullest. But this channel seems to do a lot to bridge that gap if you can't go take a class. Which is AWESOME.
Lazy AF suggestion: Is it the wearing it that takes effort, or the cleaning and rendering it presentable? For me, it’s the maintenance. So I found the easy way. All items which are not denim or stretch knit should be hung up immediately after removing from the dryer to avoid wrinkles and (if applicable) pet hair. I know putting away all my laundry likely won’t happen, but I can prioritize the ones that will suffer most if I don’t hang them up. I also wash things as infrequently as is reasonable. Hanging up clothing to air after wearing is often enough to get rid of any minor smell. Sweaters have to be laid flat, but by always wearing a shirt underneath, they can often go all season without laundering. Spot cleaning with a damp light coloured cloth is often adequate for small marks.
Vodka! Get a small atomizer of vodka and spritz the inside of your dress/jacket etc. the vodka absorbs scent and then dissipates. This is a theater and dry cleaning trick. Opera costumes can’t be washed, so the vodka trick works!
@@PolyvoreThea … Considering the cost of coin laundry, or far worse dry cleaning, an occasional spritz of vodka, is probably not as ridiculous an expenditure as it first seems. I suppose it doesn’t even need to be vodka I would consider pleasant for drinking. Just reasonably high proof, to kill the germs and evaporate, and clear so it doesn’t stain. Thanks!
Thank you for trying to answer the enby/gender nonconforming question, so many people wouldn't have even addressed it. I think my advice, as a nonbinary person, to anyone trying GNC vintage would be to look at how gender diverse people from the time dressed. There were some amazing androgynous styles in the 20s and 30s and great stone butch looks in the 50s or glam rock in the 70s. 🖤🤍💛💜
"Because I'm ace, I don't choose anything to appeal to men ever." Thisssss Im also ace and once I realized that, I was so much more comfortable in my skin. I used to never wear tank tops or short shorts bc I was so afraid of being sexualized but when I realized I was ace, I was like. I'm legit not dressing for anyone else and I know that. If they assume something, that's on them. It was so freeing to realize.
It's the same thing being a straight (older) woman. My husband made a booboo face when I informed him that women don't dress for men (a horrifyingly dangerous concept), they dress for other women, and ultimately, for themselves.
Also Ace and large chested. This is the FIRST summer since puberty i've been wearing tank-tops and trying to be ok. No one has said anything yet but I have a rant ready that is basically what you said (that's on them) and it's freeing to hear you say what I have also been grappling with. Thank you
@@nicoleandtime That's a mood. I personally still cover up my chest because the stares make me *very* uncomfortable. But yeah, before I realized I could just dress for myself I basically rejected all femme clothing because "what if a dude thinks I do it for him?" .. Well, then that's his problem, not mine. (Also, turns out pink is one of my favorite colors!)
Definitely same. I'm also asexual and very high femme. When I started embracing it, I went the opposite way and started wearing more "modest" clothing after I realized I didn't have to dress for the male gaze
Substitute teacher here. So if I’m working PE that would be hard to pull off. Same with preschool and SPED though you can get away with a more casual style than in PE class. So cigarette pants and a top. The rest of the age groups I totally dress up in retro fashions. I leave true vintage for special occasions because even moving around a high school classroom causes wear and tear that I’m just not comfortable exerting on true vintage.
I'm a Middle School teacher and I wear vintage style every day! The kids find it fun, especially since I sew all of it myself. I just tend to wear more subtle lipstick colors, no jewelry, and more casual day clothes, though. Lots of day dresses and vintage-style trousers. Its a great way to help kids get to know your personality.
For the vintage enby: maybe try the Pinterest method and see which elements recur, then fiddle with new ways to combine them? Pinstriped pants, lacy high-collared blouses, suspenders, heels, collar tips... also, hard agree to the person who suggested vests.
As a child of the 40/50s I have 1st hand knowledge of your favourite eras. You often say people tell you you are dressed like their mum and it was what attracted me to your channel. My mother always laid out an outfit the night before for both herself and me.As a child I wore hats and gloves outside the house. All school uniforms included both items and a dress code violation would be sent home, if not worn. I admire the way you dress it brings me great joy. I think if vintage is your jam choose an outfit before hand (don’t stand in front of the closet dithering) do your makeup and step out in confidence. Most people, if you care, will admire the way you look.
I’m so glad I found your channel. I recently decided to take up sewing (I’m 22) and found your channel super quickly. I saw your video series about block patterns and am currently trying to make a block pattern, to save myself a lot of headaches in fitting and patterns in the future!
Also, I think your comment about not feeling “thin enough” to wear a certain style was so poignant. I’ve been very interested in vintage clothes (leaning Victorian) but never thought I was “thin enough” to wear what I wanted. Even though - like you - I am very hourglass shaped, and have found I’m the perfect shape and size for most Victorian wear.
I'm 61 years old and have been sewing for >50 years. I am a big busted woman and have always had a difficult time fitting my body. I wish that I had learned all that Bianaca teaches when I was your age. You are SOOOOO lucky to have access to this knowledge at your young age. Good luck in your sewing journey. Block patterns are a game changer.
@@demitraferles7970 Yes! :) Over the last year or so I’ve been getting educated on fast fashion and how dangerous it is both for us psychologically (and financially haha) and for the planet. The added bonus is that I can make things I love to wear for half (or less) of the price from the rack!
For the lazy people, a lot of comfort comes from fiber and fit. I have a couple of cotton vintage style skirts that work well year round with often more modern tops. I have found myself reaching for the one that is slightly big in the waist on lazy days. Also, thank you for the idea to pin broches to ribbon to wear as a bracelet! I just inherited one I want to wear but just am not a broch person.
The Closet Historian touched on a lot of important points, here. The Pinterest technique was BRILLIANT. The great thing about this day and age is that women can wear (just about) any thing they want. If you don't like to wear skirts and dresses, wear pants. Men's pants, women's pants, there have been a millennia of pants -- wear some. I like to wear skirts and dresses. Even when I am just at home, being lazy AF, I wear (ugly) little house dresses, like from the 30s, 40, 50s, and 70s. Leaving the house, I wear an early medieval dress over a t-shirt and modern shoes. When I (went) to church, I (wore) straight Edwardian (-- full circle skirts, umbrella skirts, narrower skirts, all floor length). All of my clothes are worn in a modern way in that they are worn over and have been drafted and fitted over modern undies and with modern shoes. And, Yes, I am ALWAYS over dressed, even at my most casual. I totally understand that this can be very scary and intimidating, at first. My mother is a VERY modern woman, and hesitates to wear anything that isn't in keeping with the current (fashion) season. And, certainly, she gives me a lot of flack for the concept of the way I dress. However, because I am always put together, clean, (and over dressed to the modern eye,) she never criticizes what I am wearing NOW, no matter when NOW occurs. Experience has taught me that just about the only thing strangers will give me crap about is a hat. 🙄 The other thing I do is, except for when I am sick, I do my hair and my eyes, everyday. I don't do this for "vintage" reasons. I do it because I have a mirror over all the sinks I visit during a day, and I still have eyes that can see. I have no desire to encounter The Great Depression everytime I wash my hands, so this is just for me. And it's not that big a deal. When I get dressed in the morning, I watch a video while I curl my hair (with a modern curling iron), and I do my eyes (that's the only make-up I wear) while I wait for my hair to cool. Then brush the hair out -- all done, and ready to go change the cat litter. The biggest piece of advice, and she covered it in an earlier video, is START SMALL. If you are around a regular, set group of people, like we were before Ye Olde Plague, do one thing -- like hair, or make-up, then, after a while, add one more thing, -- top or bottom -- then, again, after a bit, add one more thing. Doing it incrementally, the people around you get used to it, and suddenly, you are full vintage, and they never noticed, nor do they even bat an eye. That's just YOU, and you have always dressed like that.
l've been watching your videos for two years or so and l still thoroughly enjoy all of the content, even tho l haven't sewn for years and l don't really wear vintage. l wish l'd had your attitude about self-image and style when l was your age, and when combined with your wonderful sense of humor, your channel is always a pleasure. l basically just like hanging out with you. Hope you're still making time to write.
Thank you Susan ❤ I haven't had nearly enough time to write as much as I have wanted to this last year by a long shot...but I'm working on a new scheduling plan for next year that will hopefully help
A good inspiration for gender fluidity in vintage fashion is the New Romantic and New Wave music scene of the 1980s. Many of the styles from artists like Annie Lennox, David Bowie, Gary Numan, and Grace Jones (to name a handful) were inspired by vintage fashion and much of it could be carried into a modern day vintage wardrobe. It takes practice and experimentation to get the look right for yourself and while it might not be completely historically accurate, it will carry enough weight of the era you're evoking that it won't matter. Unfortunately sometimes you do have to accept that some things don't work for you no matter how much you want them to. Thankfully, history has been around for quite a while so there's definitely going to be something out there for you. Mix and match, have fun, where what you want and know that your personal style is a journey not a destination. Enjoy it as much as you can, however you can. Know that this friendly neighbourhood enby supports your efforts to feel fantastic being yourself.
@@TheClosetHistorian Discovering one of my favourite RUclipsrs (that's you, btw) also has excellent taste in music (no real surprise) was a nice treat today!
For the school teacher question, I was a kindergarten teacher so I wore lots of dungarees & boots for winter & summer the dungarees & sneakers it was comfortable & I could move around really well.
The question about the vintage equivalent of t-shirt and sweatpants made me think of the Dressed:The History of Fashion podcast series Worn to Win: Dressing the Summer Olympic Athlete and their discussion of the development of activewear. They shared pictures on their instagram of early and midcentury athletes in tank tops and shorts and sweatsuits.
Thanks for the discussion! I agree with you on people perceiving vintage as “dressing formally”. My mother spent the first year after I started wearing vintage saying variations of “I’d never have guessed my daughter would wear dresses so often”. And I am in my 40s and she is in her 70’s (so grew up in the 50s). She now regularly borrows one of my vintage coat:-). But I have found two things to be true: 1) you just get used to it (instead of feeling like you stand out) and, for me, really enjoy looking put together. And 2) honestly I’ve gotten more compliments in the last three years on how I look from complete strangers than the prior two decades of wearing modern clothes from friends and family (so that helps on the confidence/self esteem front😁). One thing that also helps is my husband is so supportive, never blinks an eye and tells people who ask him that he thinks I look beautiful and that I am happy😊. I am very lucky in that.
MY BIG QUESTION: Did you piece together that dress to achieve the pattern? First thing that came to my mind. I get sidetracked by the unusual for these times. If you want do a suit, you can start with Vintage Vogue and follow the directions. All will be well and you to have more than enough skill to do it. Think of it as a confidence booster. How I got into suiting with ease. I had the training and did sew suits but always felt so shaky doing it. Most think of me as dressed up which has me shaking my head. I often wear Men's 70% cotton stretch chinos in a straight leg. Very comfortable at home or killing myself in working at a hotel. I no longer do sweats or PJ pants because of past severe depression issues. Wearing them has me slide in deeper. I wear casual dresses & tell folks that I just needed a high level of casual to keep depression at bay. I call my sewing Retro because I do modernize some of the design to suit myself. That said, I mix things of different periods into my modern wardrobe. I'm on such a tight budget that just about everything must have at least two different look styles. Most can be dressed up or down or used with different accessories to get professional, goth, punk, & romanticish. Skirts, blouses and sweaters are big staples of mine. Leaving the US, did a lot for my looking less frumpy or sloppy. I'm back in the states and I see no reason to change things I learned in Europe. Heels, I mostly wear Naturalizer and can walk around or stand in their 3-4" heels for over 8 hours. I've found that at least a half inch heel on even ballet flats is a Godsend and makes my Osteoarthritis bearable. If I had paid more attention to not torturing myself with footwear in my younger days, I wouldn't need hip replacement surgery for both hips today. As usual, its been fun watching you.
@@susanstewart1402 I do both the get it done and the intensive approach. Depends on my.mood. As I make about 15 of each garment, I go faster than usual doing intensive techniques. I am guilty of Turing an easy 1 hour project onto a four hour by improving the drsign and doing higher sewing techniques.
The fabric is already striped luckily! So it is just cut to chevron down the center front seam and match along the top of the sleeve from beyond the drat up there in the shoulder at least ✨
I think a really good way to dress lazy vintage is to just have some swing skirts that basically don't crease, couple of cute matching tops that don't need ironing(my favs are strerchy off shoulder puffy sleeved tops that come a dime a dozen in h&m ir similar stores now), have a nice sturdy belt, like black or brown woven leather that you can wear with anything and a pair of oxfords or other nice flats and that's that. Easy grab and go. If you learn to do a gibson roll in the back or put your hair in a headscarf it will add extra vintage look
"what do you grab all the time" I started sweating profusely when you said this because 99% of the time it's a black shirt, a pair of black pants, and one of various pairs of doc martens (which my husband would like to claim I collect, but since I wear them all, is it really a collecting? no, no it's not).
I’ve decided the “solution” to wearing black tops, the vast majority of the time is to collect ones with various style details. Interesting necklines, various sleeve lengths, hem lines, materials, cuffs, buttons… There’s little point in collecting colours I won’t end up wearing. I had a couple colours I liked, but changing my hair colour really changed which colours I like on me, so again… black.
@@lynn858 this, the trick to wearing lots of black is just interesting details, cuts and silhouettes, mixing textures/materials, and playing around with transparency and layering
@@lynn858 I did this a lot in the past because I really do like other colors (pretty much any shade of green, especially), just not so much WEARING all the colors. Now I only choose shirts that I know I will wear because of style, etc. I've been doing what you describe with the different textures, fabrics, cuts, and whatnot. Some have prints on them, too. Only thing I don't really worry about clothes-wise are pants. I found a style that I really like and have 9 pair, 6 are black, 2 are dark grey, and one is a small pattern black and white plaid...because who doesn't love a good plaid?? =)
A bit late to the party but... for the cohesive fashion question: I've thought about his a bit. To me that question is trying to articulate the impossibility of starting out in vintage fashion, you have bags and shoes and dresses and hats but they don't ever seem to 'go' together because there are so many variables at play (even if you span only 2 decades of vintage fashion that's still many years of style trends, you have junior vs woman style, winter vs summer weight, different colours, and daywear vs evening). So it feels like you have to collect so much stuff to have even a single outfit that feels right together. My solution to this so far is to only buy colours I really feel comfortable in, mostly wear 50s in the summer and 40s in the winter, and make clothes in fabrics that really suit the time/place I will wear them. I've also built up a versatile collection of bags and shoes in very boring colours and I feel a little more cohesive now. The more decades you include, the harder all of this is, I think. Each fashion season has some logic behind the skirt length/ shoe style / silhouette shape, and mixing those things can feel off without it being super obvious why. You get a feel for it eventually.
I am a primary school teacher (mixed grades, Prep to Yr 6). I frequently talk to my students about my outfits. The idea of "old and new" is covered in the Australian curriculum under History through Prep to Year 2, and I often bring in my 1940s dress patterns to school and show them to my students. They are very impressed that I make my own clothes and that I used a pattern that is 80 years old. It also links in to school discussions about sustainability and the effects fast fashion has on my environment. My advice regarding wearing vintage style within the school environment? Embrace it, and include it within your teaching!
I have recently binged all your videos after hearing about you from Engineering Knits. I LOVE your style and your videos are fun, interesting and informative. Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. You’re awesome☺️
Bianca, your comment about not caring for late-50s/early-60s style made me think of the excellent book The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski. The book focuses on the care and thought that women put into dressing in the first half of the 20th century. It also discusses how, in the 60s, the silhouette became more childish - women's dresses looked like little girl dresses - and that the era marked the beginning of the end of truly stylish dressing.
As a Canadian, I lean into Katherine Hepburn style slacks often in the winter. I wear thicker tights too. I discovered that cutting off the “brief” part and wearing the tights with a garter belt is amazing! Warm and yet so comfy!
Timezone-wise I can't watch your videos when they come out and go to work in the morning without feeling like I'm dying, so I love coming home on fridays and starting the weekend with your videos! It's always a wonderful beginning.
Also, with regards to caring how other people view me or my style, I saw a quote once that has been a really helpful reminder for me. The quote was: “I’m not here to decorate your world.” I dress for myself. As far as choosing what I wear, I evaluate them based on three criteria/questions: 1. Is it neat (or if it looks disheveled, is it intended to look that way)?
My way of dressing casually and lazy is always a cotton dress and a cardigan. I may look more put together than what others consider casual, but I have worn that combo so many times, that it has become my casual. Also it becomes more casual for me if I don't accesorise it. And dresses are in my opinion the best lazy clothing: just one piece and nothing that digs into the waist if it's loose enough. And as long as it isn't floor lenght the dress will not hinder you in any way in day to day life.
I am 50 years, live in Finland and have worn vintage style mosty 40's and 50's since I was 11 and we have very cold winters, like over -20 or -30 degrees celsius and my advice what to wear in those temperatures is layering and wool clothes. For example in winter when its very cold I have on bra, undershirt, if necessary ad thin wool undershirt, wool dress and cardigan + for lower part under dress I have wool stockings, short wool hosery, maybe leg warmers, good winter boots and over those all my thick warm long wool overcoat from 40's, wool scarf/thick wool hat/mittens and if double those mittens. You really can use this with any decade of vintage, just layering and wool. I understand that we here in northern countries are used to wear and we have here those vintage warm wooly clothes, some I knit myself to fit my body. My grandma teached me when I was kid what she had on in 40's and 50's when it was cold so im priviledged in that way, grandmothers ❤
I like your comment, Johanna and the part about your grandmother. I don't wear vintage, (not yet, anyway) but I can identify with the layering required for the cold winters. I was born in northern Alberta and grew up in northern Ontario. Very similar to what you get in Finland, I would imagine. I can remember having to leave room under my Halloween costume for a snow suit!
@@pennyplaysbach Thank you for your answer and yes, quite similar conditions like we have in Finland. Some of my relatives moved to Canada after WW2 to Edmonton area and it is so beautiful country, would like to visit there one day 🤗
Very interesting insights Bianca. My mum was born in 1930 and I remember her telling me when I was young that her and her sister were forbidden to wear trousers or shorts even in their 20's. I never knew my grandparents, he sounded very strict. It must have been quite common then. Also I totally agree about people's dress code these days, you can't tell if they are going to the corner store or a wedding. I love to dress up vintage inspired but not necessarily always vintage. I get many compliments and I've even had people at church ask me if I owned a dress shop, 1 man came up to me and said he loves coming to church to see what dress I'll be wearing. I had no idea people check each other out so much especially when they don't know you. 🌸🌼🌷💕
For comfortable vintage wear, I really like knitwear - fitted, shortsleeved knitted tops are quite vintage, and feel like a slightly warmer t-shirt to wear! If you're into knitting, get ready for tiny stitches, but there are tons of vintage patterns available on both etsy and ravelry.
My advice for vintage winter fashion for the bottom half are as follows; lace up boots, knee high socks, wool long coats, vintage long fur coats, wool skirts, skirt slips, and bloomers. I wish you all much warmth!!
I have elaborated on vintage style quite a lot before, but some of the videos are simply a few years old these days! While I may have gotten a bit more comfortable in front of the camera since then, I hope some of my more in depth videos on these subjects may still be of help. As such, here is a "How to start wearing vintage style" playlist: ruclips.net/video/JqWlCsCATEA/видео.html And also the often requested Vintage Undergarments Video: ruclips.net/video/IEC3uhhF90Q/видео.html More links in the description above!
My wardrobe was a mess and I never had anything to wear. Then I found Pinterest, curated a style which turned out to work with my kibbe type, decided on a colour palette and now everything goes together! I am having so much fun sewing vintage style 🥰 I know there are no “rules” but I enjoy playing with “guidelines”. I love saying “thank you, I made it” 😎
okay yes, this discussion on formality! I wear a lot of linen, lots of linen dresses in my everyday so i tend to be more formal than my surroundings but then linen is the maximum formality available from my wardrobe so I'm too informal in other settings.
I only started wearing (longer) skirts this year, maybe because I was a little traumatised by my high school uniform. It wasn’t because I wanted a more androgynous style or that I didn’t like my legs- just that I found trousers/jeans/shorts more comfortable and casual. Skirts made me feel too dressed up. But now that’s the vibe I’m going for so it made sense to include them in my wardrobe again.
I had penny loafers and used to put a penny in each one. It was nice to see the rainbow dress fabric up close. I enjoyed looking at the pattern while you talked.
Doubling up thinner denier stockings/tights can give you some extra warmth but still look sleek in cold weather. And a rayon dress it may have been, but you can guarantee there would have been a cotton or wool singlet, petticoat and probably wool spencer underneath to add layers against the cold! Quote of the week! : Your going to be dressed more formally than most people because most people don't wear non-stretch fabric. So true!!
In terms of teaching teens+ in vintage, accessories are your friends. Folio bags, formal white shirts with French cuffs can take vintage cufflinks. Cufflinks can be perfectly androgynous too. Silk scarves in classic prints at the neck or in the hair, high waisted wool trousers look fantastic and smart. I once scored a charcoal tweed Lagerfeld pair in TK Maxx for £1 that should have been priced at £100 🎉 Once you know your silhouette, it's much easier to style even the most modern things. In terms of "other people", one of the really fun things about fashion and clothing is the connections you make when someone successfully "reads" your outfit. To anyone feeling anxious about bolder attire, choose one piece you love and the confidence it gives you will make it easier to wear.
My top tip for vintage style when lazy af: onepieces like dresses/jumpsuits and shoes/accessories that match with most things (in my case black). This obviously is not a hair and makeup solution but I barely spend 2 minutes getting actually dressed most days with this solution...
I watch a lot of different genres on RUclips but I always come back to you as soon as you post a video. I love listening to you talking about clothing and style!
Hi Bianca!! I’ve always had the ‘I don’t care attitude’ when it comes to what I wear.. I wear what I like & what is my style.. I do, cause I don’t mind pain.. Made me 😂 out loud.. Sometimes we do sacrifice comfort for fashion…. 💜💜💜🧵🧵🧵
Id love to learn more about the ski outfits and how to layer up on a farm in 1940’s. Farm girl style I guess. I live in MN. I have to go outside eventuality.
Oh I can relate to body image issues! Not so much hour glass, more 24 hour glass😄. My style identity crises started when I got too old for my edgy goth rock look! In my 50's now and don't know what I suit. I'll try the theme board, Thank You. You have the perfect style for you 👏👏. People don't believe me when I tell them pink/red was for boys. I'd say 20's ladies suits would be good for a 'less girly ' look. Helpful video, Tfs
I also have the “don’t care what others think of me” attitude. Both vintage and making my own clothes have given me the confidence to dress in whatever era suits my body. I don’t care if I’ve made more of an effort than my friends cos it shows I’ve made an effort. Why blend in when you were born to stand out?
I personally wouldn't go that far, I'm definitely aware (and don't like) people staring at me. But it turns out I feel most me with a purple pixie cut. So.. there's that, haha. I think it's all about finding the balance between personal style and social acceptance that's right for you.
Watching Swing Hostess film from 1944 and all I can think of is , OMG look at the suit, Really cute hat, How dies she get her hair like that, That's a cute dress , well you get the idea. You'd love it!
RE the gender question! I get it, it's difficult! I'm on the nonbinary spectrum (I tend to think of myself as not 100% female.) In terms of vintage styles that read more nb I would absolutely say that cardigans and vests are your friend. Both genders wore them, they can look pretty gay if that's what you're into, and vests and waistcoats in particular would also help to smooth out the chest area if you're wearing a binder. You can also go wild with the colours so you don't have to stick to the beige sack "gender neutral' fashions promoted by so many companies today. There's definitely a lot of vintage pin-up high femme kind of stuff out there, but it doesn't mean that's the only way to express vintage aesthetics. (I've got small shoulders and I find you can't discount a good shoulder pad either!) There are also quite a few vintage androgynous haircuts out there - whether it's like, the longer more Oscar Wilde poet hair, the sailor ponytail from the 18th century, shags from the 20s, quiffs - there's quite a few that don't exclusively read as one gender or the other
I find (for the lazy vintage) that a comfortable one piece vintage wrap dress that I can throw on over leggings helps. Or even a vintage style cardigan over jeans/trousers, or a linen shirt under a sweater. I have a 40s coat I throw on over anything. It adds some vibe but keeps the lazy. :)
I’ve been really lucky to find a lot of vintage pieces at thrift stores. I teach grades k-4 and live in a cold environment so I wear a lot of dresses with fleece lined tights. I don’t do vintage shoes though, because I don’t want anything with a heel. If you don’t think vintage outfits at school can be done - hair makes a HUGE difference. Just doing your hair in a particular style can make you look retro.
@5:00 ish... OOF. I felt that. SAME. *keeps watching* I like the mentality of not sticking to ONE style. People should worry less about trying to pigeonhole themselves into any ONE thing/label and just go with what they feel like from day to day. "Choose things to wear that appeal to you" - BEST ADVICE EVER. Good job navigating a tough question. I personally don't think there's an answer that can fit everyone more than the answer you gave. @29:25 ish -- "If you wear nice clothes, you're going to look more formal" (paraphrased) - Yep. If you're in anything other than comfy pants and a tee, you're "dressed up." Even nice jeans and not-beat-up shoes and a not-ratty tee is "nice". We are fully in PJ culture now. @ 31:40 "Other people don't matter much to me" - AMEN. I'm done caring what other people think so long as I'm happy doing my thing, I'm not getting in their way and they're not getting in mine. I think the "lazy AF" for me is more about ironing... I'm not the person that asked the question, but that's how I interpreted it. Planning ahead would help. Or dressing like a hippie where not being perfectly pressed would still be true to the look. This was a fun video! I'm over here acting like I'm having a conversation with you because I'm a dork, but hey! It was fun! ❤
Lol, at least you're typing your end of the "conversation." I talk back to the video. I'm not crazy, I know Bianca can't hear me, I'm just too lazy to type my thoughts.🤣
I wore a plaid cotton blouse, a denim pencil skirt and black heels to dinner with my in-laws and was ask why I was so dressed up. Me: Um...Sorry, you primarily see me in my "dropping-off-the-kids-before-I-clean-my-house" clothing but this is my "going-out-of-the-house" clothes. You really do just have to get used to people assuming you're "dressed up" for some event when dressing with vintage style.
My Rockabilly times are long gone, but they were on the "lazy" side: Marlene pants, striped Tshirt, pearl earrings, converse. Hair: fringe curled, teased, styled. High bun, curly hairpiece clipped on, bandana around. winged eyeliner, red lips. I guess that's the easiest I can think of :)
Everyone always tells me I look so formal and honestly I put FAR less time into the way I dress than they do most of the time. I have a 5yo who I homeschool and need to be on the go a lot. My wardrobe is 1940s and 40s look stuff 💯 now. I'm 38 and have been dressing this way for 20+ years. But honestly I find pulling on a one piece dress and having my hair already set once a week it can take me 3 minutes to get dressed. Of course I CAN take forever if o want to and go to town on my hair, stockings, makeup etc but honestly for me pre-set hair, a dress and slick of red lippy is so much easier and lazier than a pony tail, jeans and a t-shirt!
Cohesion:overrated! I was that girl that dressed differently every day. 90s teenager, 42 now... Lol but I'd be super prep one day, cowgirl boots and denim the next, full on goth lace and crazy platform boots, then my Nirvana or Tool t-shirt with ripped jeans and my doc Martens, Adidas track suit and shell toes on Friday. It was a thing until my 30s. I worked in a uniform so after work was my time. I didn't conform and now I make my own clothes so I design for comfort and ease of care now. But the theme is always what I feel like expressing that day. The thoughts of others mattering more than what we think about ourselves is a terrible blow to self esteem these days. I thoroughly enjoyed this and you fielded the questions with as much tact and care as possible. Bottom line is : if it brings you joy, to coin the phrase, then do it and damn the rest!
Very interesting! I do really enjoy your content. My personal style preference comes from my childhood. 60's and 70's fashion is very dear to my heart. No matter my style, I am interested in learning about garments thru the ages and the construction of garments. Thank You!
I always enjoy you as a personality and your videos. I think that you give a clear out put here in youtube and your content is very enjoyble. I started to buy vintage inspired clothes couple of years ago but have now finally found my "style" in them. I like granny and librarian style and hope to in time collect a good wardrobe.
re: warm or outdoor vintage fashion. I've got some knowledge here, because my mother was a geologist in the 1950s, and very outdoorsy in the 40s. I've been an archaeologist for 40 years as well, and until extremely recently, we wore men's clothing, so jeans, wool trousers, heavy shirts etc., etc. They still don't make a lot of work clothing for women, but in the day, unless you could afford a tailor, you recut men's clothing. People (women) with some money would get boots made specially, or you wore men's with extra socks. Redwings made women's work shoes in the 70s and 80s which were like men's but sized for women's feet, and I don't know how long they did that for, but boyfriend jeans and sweaters were a real thing.
Teacher: longer circle skirts and cardigans with a button down or blouse is vintage style and super easy to find at mall nowadays. Styling and mainly doing your hair in a vintage way is where its at.
To avoid chub rub when you don’t want to wear those smoother shorts, we don’t always want to wear them. Put silicone lubricant on your thighs. In summer it doesn’t sweat off and it keeps the rub under control.
hi Bianca, I'm a huge fan of the Mad Men series, which was set in the 1960s. I guess some of the fashions from the 50s were still overlapping/influencing the early 60s fashion. Love it!
Maybe it's not what people want to hear but I feel like the answer to a bunch of these questions is to mix vintage with current clothes. Like, if you want it to be more casual or more gender-neutral or avoid skirts, you can just take the pieces that are most exciting to you and wear them with comfy pants or whatever.
This video is very informative, Bianca. Next week, I plan to send a package to your post office box with a little something to help you keep on purchasing things to assist you in creating your marvelous craft.
I'm happy to say that I've watched enough of your videos to guess your last answer correctly! Haha. I'm sure one day, when you're a master sewist and you are looking for something new to learn, you will get into tailoring.
Oh gosh, I relate to your ace/clothing thing so much. I'm also an ace pretty high femme woman and yeah, "sex appeal" of clothing (or even "sexy underwear") is just not even something I think about. I wear clothes that make *me* feel good, and sometimes they're "sexy" dresses, and sometimes it's a derpy flamingo print.
The first question was not asked by me, but I am also a school teacher (high school) who really wants to dress vintage but is hesitant. I think it would probably be fine as, like you said, vintage clothes are pretty modest, but students would definitely think it was weird and would probably comment on it a lot, which is not usually what you want as a teacher, at least in my experience. I havent seen the other video about dressing vintage at work, so I will definitely check it out!
My students don’t know enough to know I’m dressing “vintage”…they just call me “stylish” (they’re 12). Actually, they appreciate that I “dress up”…cultural, within the group of people that I work with, it’s a marker of respect.
"Once you label me you negate me." - Soren Kierkegaard. That may not speak to everyone, but it's one of my favorite quotes to help remind myself not to be concerned with what opinions others may have (or more likely, assume) about me. Also, it helps remind me to check my assumptions about myself - for instance, "I'm bad at math" - to me, that's a label, and I have come too far in my life to keep carrying that kind of thing around.
I love your blouse. Did you make that? I love watching your channel. I listen to you while I sew and clean my house. I feel like I learn something new.
I'm 55, never had children. I wish I could say my body shape hasn't changed! Also I never would have imagined 20 years ago what styles I would be interested in now. When I was young I wore a LOT of black (it was the 80s). My wardrobe is more colorful now. I still have a couple black dresses in my closet, but whenever I put them on I look like I'm headed to a funeral.
I’m 50 with no children and I’m just as much of a round middle aged lady as my mother was at my age even though she had five children. I did keep my figure until my mid forties though. Its not all age either, I went up 2 dress sizes during the long, loooong lockdowns we’ve had in the UK.
Thank you for referencing Dandy Wellington. He has great style! On the gender neutral topic, let's not forget that kilts are "menswear" but look suspiciously like skirts. I have inherited 3 kilts: 2 from my grandmother and one from my best friend's mother. None of them were ever worn as menswear.
If you're looking for cold weather inspiration, take a look at the vintage knitting hashtag on Instagram. Pinterest is full of vintage knitting patterns too. Take a look to get an idea of what ordinary women wore and hey maybe take up knitting? 😂 Also, wear real wool if you can. The difference in warmth compared to synthetic fibres is HUGE.
Lol...loving this vid! I don't like alot 1960s or 70s fashion, but I do like alot of the decor. Not a big fan of any garment with shoulder pads, but...if removing them would make the garment look weird....meh. Can't see myself getting into alot of Victorian clothing....way to many frills, but I quite like Edwardian. 30s-early 60s is my general preferred range, though being a big girl, even some early 60s would be a bit difficult.
Hi, As my idea of feeling lazy, I'll share a bit of life. I have been mostly bed bound in chronic pain for 25 years, and have had other mostly unrelated chronic medical stuff going in a kind of circle since 2013. I'm on the other end of what to do if I'm lazy, in that I have lived in jazz/yoga pants and T-shirt for the last umpteen years doing most of my life in bed. I've had my eye on things in the Pajamas section of vintage/retro for some time now, to dress up a bit for daytime, when I haven't slept for three nights, when I'm under the influence of antibiotics and/or cortisone for a couple of weeks, or other medicals (I'm not a fan of any medicals). I have yet to fully implement the idea, but I'm closing in. I'll make my own of course, as destroying the real stuff, is something I couldn't bare. I've found some good resources for PDF patterns at Etsy, and I think they sell paper copies too. Yours, Ann.
"People don't matter much to me, I like humans..." ❤️ It's super annoying but ego boosting whenever I dress the way I want instead of like a lazy millennial. I usually get a positive response but I have anxiety and I don't want attention all the time.
I just found this video. Please tell me about how to belt. Do you just add a belt? No belt loops, just cinch it up? Skinny or wide belts ? Shirt tucked in or out? Thank you!
The ideal look in the past was explained the best in a bonus feature of Mona Lisa Smiles. Today 40 years old wanna be 20. Then 20 year olds wanted to be 40
Great video! I'm so glad you talk about the distinction between Misses & Womens clothes, which is now completely lost. I don't like current clothing trends because the are very young , I'm 56 an I don't want to dress like "mutton dressed as lamb". A great movie that illustrates the differences in womens styles based on age is "The Major and The Minor" with Ginger Rogers (actually any movie with Ginger), she portrays a woman trying to get a cheaper ticket on a train so she dresses as a school girl, so funny. Btw, Androgyny ... Garbo, Hepburn, Bacall!
I would like for there to be a resurgence in the appreciation of the "put-together mature woman" aesthetic. As a Gen X woman, I would love for there to be a "Forever 51" fashion philosophy, where instead of just shoving us into boring basics or trendy young clothes, there is actually a celebration of this phase of life.
🤭🤣🤣🤣! FOREVER 51! That is SO PERFECT!
@@michellecornum5856 ©2021 Siansonea Orande. ;)
Sign me up for Forever 51 as well and its counterpart Chic Empty Nester (though I have a ways to go for that one).
Hi, Thank you. I'll sign up to that email list immediately, 15% discount or not. Especially if they make things not following any fast trends. I don't appreciate having to change out my wardrobe all the 8 seasons of the year. Yours, Ann
The person that had the question about gender: I see you! I feel you! I get what you mean. It can be hard with vintage because in the times these styles were worn the gender norms were much more rigid so you kinda end up swinging between a 50s housewife and a starved gay poet from the Belle Epoque Paris. Now, if you`re reading this, I obviously don`t know anything about you and the way you present yourself but here is how what I do. You gotta focus on the pieces that historically have been worn by both genders. Like for example vests (vests, in general, are wonderful, gender euphoria is stored in those little suckers), blazers, white collars, overalls, cardigans, oxford shoes, etc. And then you can match more masc- and more femme-looking pieces together into funky outfits. Hope this helps
Hard agree that vests are awesome, and also that billowy pirate blouses, or the pirate look in general is great on any and all genders of person! I also would like "a starved gay poet from the Belle Epoque Paris" partner, I mean...pinterest board. Also accepting applications from peaky blinders or wandering bards of all genders as well, inquire at the front desk...
@@TheClosetHistorian yeah they are awesome until you have to sew circle darts!
Poet shirts and vests are definitely gender! Whatever the gender 😆
I second the Vest and Oxfords suggestion for androgyny! If vests aren't your thing, perhaps suspenders might work. Sweaters of all kinds are also a good option, as are the great range of colorful things to tie around your neck! Neckerchiefs, ties, scarves, cravats, whatnot. Katharine Hepburn is GOALS, oh my god
i feel like playing with fit and accessories can go a long way towards making something more casual or androgynous! one thing that always struck me about katherine hepburn was her clothes tended to fit more loosely than other actresses of the time wearing button up blouses and trousers, and that made things more androgynous.
you could go for boxier cuts, for example, to lean more masc, or flowy or lacy items for femme styling. play around with makeup, shoes and jewellery to accentuate or juxtapose your outfit!
as for making things more casual / modern, i always think wearing purposefully oversized items, styling your outfit 'fashionably rumpled' (e.g. messy cuffs, not doing up buttons) and adding lace up boots to any outfit takes things towards modern and androgynous. sometimes the way to go is think 'if i was wearing this in the 50s would people on the street be confused?'. i say gender is stored in the chonky boot
Preschool teacher here: I don't wear wholly vintage, but I do wear my nice clothes/personal style to work because I interact with parents every day too and want to be seen as professional and put together. My nice clothes just have boogers, paint, and otherwise on them. I do have specific blazers set aside for work that can be thrown in the wash as opposed to dry-cleaned so that I always have my preferred style lines and feel like my most confident self. If you're going to wear vintage into the classroom I would go with reproductions or self-made, stuff you know you can wash easily/regularly without it falling apart.
Warmest “non ski-pants” winter clothing is pants or leggings under a full length skirt. The skirt provides a bell to trap the air your body has warmed, close to your body. The pants provide an extra layer to trap air. That’s how insulation works - it’s the ability to trap air pockets.
When you arrive at your school or workplace you can then slip off either the pants OR the skirt, and go about your day at indoor temperatures - you don’t even need a washroom or change room.
A wrap skirt is particularly easy to remove, and make of whatever fabric you choose, if you prefer to wear pants during your day.
Plus layers under the skirt protect you from drafts and breezes. There is a great video of ways of beating the cold from Jessica Kellgren Fozard who is a vintage style loving youtuber. Even if fashion isn't the main focus of the bulk of her content these days there are older videos that are useful on her channel. I think the one Im thinking of is something like how to keep warm in style.
I am a lecturer who teaches future teachers and I wear a lot of 40s style dresses and some 50s style dresses. And wide-legged trousers and a sweater/shirt works when dresses are not appropriate.
I'm not a teacher myself, but back in high school I had a teacher (who became a friend after the years) who wears a lot of 50s, and she swears by suits, or like you said, wide-legged trousers and fun shirts.
Just a note on staying warm in vintage fashion: according to my grandmother and her contemporaries (who were born between 1920-1950 and survived Canadian winters): women wore silk or wool long underwear (tops and bottoms) with wool or other opaque stockings that would come over the knee under a wool dress and cardigan with shoes indoors or when going to a dressier occasion. They would wear slacks or trousers with blouses and sweaters over the same undergarments previously mentioned with boots when they were outside for work or recreation. Skirts and dresses can also be tucked into “snow suits” while outside.
i think petticoats for 50s styles are also an underrated way to add warmth - long skirt + heattech/thermal stockings + layers of petticoats to trap air + wool coat can be pretty warm!
In the 80s, we wore nylons and tights, and, as my sister showed me in church one Sunday, you can wear long johns under your Guinne Sax and knee length boots AND NO ONE WILL KNOW!
Susan Stewart If you have any interest in sewing your own Lizcapism did sew some up. She also did some winter history bounding wear for warmth.
I often wonder about this when I'm watching 1940s period dramas - in Bomb Girls are lot of them are just wearing stockings in winter, and stockings are not tights and don't keep your legs warm during winter :( but maybe they're just doing this for aesthetic reasons on TV. In the coldest months of the year (below 10c) I wear wool skirts and wool tights and knee length boots and that does tend to be warmer than the equivalent pants because it's more layers of wool. I don't wear jeans in winter cause they just aren't warm enough.
There’s a lot of truth to what Bianca said about women not spending much time out in the cold in dress clothing. Even here in Minnesota, I have dashed across a downtown street in sub-freezing weather in my office clothes, no coat. Vintage clothing is fine for going from home to taxi to office.
They also wore fur coats which were very very warm.
I get free community college because of where I live, and I'm taking flat pattern-drafting my first semester because of all the amazing things you've taught here. Thank you so much for all you do to share fashion skills and projects.
I'm jeally. I wish I could take a class like that. I'm so happy you have that opportunity!
@@nyxskids I'm so incredibly lucky to have this opportunity and I'm gonna use it to the fullest. But this channel seems to do a lot to bridge that gap if you can't go take a class. Which is AWESOME.
@@bookhoarding one of the reasons I love this channel so much.... So totally agreed
That’s so awesome 👏 Good for you!
Thank you Bianca! What an awesome opportunity!
Lazy AF suggestion: Is it the wearing it that takes effort, or the cleaning and rendering it presentable?
For me, it’s the maintenance. So I found the easy way.
All items which are not denim or stretch knit should be hung up immediately after removing from the dryer to avoid wrinkles and (if applicable) pet hair. I know putting away all my laundry likely won’t happen, but I can prioritize the ones that will suffer most if I don’t hang them up.
I also wash things as infrequently as is reasonable. Hanging up clothing to air after wearing is often enough to get rid of any minor smell. Sweaters have to be laid flat, but by always wearing a shirt underneath, they can often go all season without laundering. Spot cleaning with a damp light coloured cloth is often adequate for small marks.
Vodka! Get a small atomizer of vodka and spritz the inside of your dress/jacket etc. the vodka absorbs scent and then dissipates. This is a theater and dry cleaning trick. Opera costumes can’t be washed, so the vodka trick works!
@@PolyvoreThea … Considering the cost of coin laundry, or far worse dry cleaning, an occasional spritz of vodka, is probably not as ridiculous an expenditure as it first seems.
I suppose it doesn’t even need to be vodka I would consider pleasant for drinking. Just reasonably high proof, to kill the germs and evaporate, and clear so it doesn’t stain.
Thanks!
Thank you for trying to answer the enby/gender nonconforming question, so many people wouldn't have even addressed it.
I think my advice, as a nonbinary person, to anyone trying GNC vintage would be to look at how gender diverse people from the time dressed. There were some amazing androgynous styles in the 20s and 30s and great stone butch looks in the 50s or glam rock in the 70s.
🖤🤍💛💜
"Because I'm ace, I don't choose anything to appeal to men ever." Thisssss
Im also ace and once I realized that, I was so much more comfortable in my skin. I used to never wear tank tops or short shorts bc I was so afraid of being sexualized but when I realized I was ace, I was like. I'm legit not dressing for anyone else and I know that. If they assume something, that's on them. It was so freeing to realize.
It's the same thing being a straight (older) woman. My husband made a booboo face when I informed him that women don't dress for men (a horrifyingly dangerous concept), they dress for other women, and ultimately, for themselves.
Also Ace and large chested. This is the FIRST summer since puberty i've been wearing tank-tops and trying to be ok. No one has said anything yet but I have a rant ready that is basically what you said (that's on them) and it's freeing to hear you say what I have also been grappling with. Thank you
@@nicoleandtime That's a mood. I personally still cover up my chest because the stares make me *very* uncomfortable. But yeah, before I realized I could just dress for myself I basically rejected all femme clothing because "what if a dude thinks I do it for him?" .. Well, then that's his problem, not mine.
(Also, turns out pink is one of my favorite colors!)
Same, @Kaitlyn Wright.
Definitely same. I'm also asexual and very high femme. When I started embracing it, I went the opposite way and started wearing more "modest" clothing after I realized I didn't have to dress for the male gaze
Substitute teacher here. So if I’m working PE that would be hard to pull off. Same with preschool and SPED though you can get away with a more casual style than in PE class. So cigarette pants and a top. The rest of the age groups I totally dress up in retro fashions. I leave true vintage for special occasions because even moving around a high school classroom causes wear and tear that I’m just not comfortable exerting on true vintage.
I'm a Middle School teacher and I wear vintage style every day! The kids find it fun, especially since I sew all of it myself. I just tend to wear more subtle lipstick colors, no jewelry, and more casual day clothes, though. Lots of day dresses and vintage-style trousers. Its a great way to help kids get to know your personality.
For the vintage enby: maybe try the Pinterest method and see which elements recur, then fiddle with new ways to combine them? Pinstriped pants, lacy high-collared blouses, suspenders, heels, collar tips... also, hard agree to the person who suggested vests.
As a child of the 40/50s I have 1st hand knowledge of your favourite eras. You often say people tell you you are dressed like their mum and it was what attracted me to your channel. My mother always laid out an outfit the night before for both herself and me.As a child I wore hats and gloves outside the house. All school uniforms included both items and a dress code violation would be sent home, if not worn.
I admire the way you dress it brings me great joy. I think if vintage is your jam choose an outfit before hand (don’t stand in front of the closet dithering) do your makeup and step out in confidence. Most people, if you care, will admire the way you look.
Thank you Kaye ❤
I’m so glad I found your channel. I recently decided to take up sewing (I’m 22) and found your channel super quickly. I saw your video series about block patterns and am currently trying to make a block pattern, to save myself a lot of headaches in fitting and patterns in the future!
Also, I think your comment about not feeling “thin enough” to wear a certain style was so poignant. I’ve been very interested in vintage clothes (leaning Victorian) but never thought I was “thin enough” to wear what I wanted. Even though - like you - I am very hourglass shaped, and have found I’m the perfect shape and size for most Victorian wear.
I took up sewing and found this channel 6 months later, and it’s been so helpful and entertaining!
I'm 61 years old and have been sewing for >50 years. I am a big busted woman and have always had a difficult time fitting my body. I wish that I had learned all that Bianaca teaches when I was your age. You are SOOOOO lucky to have access to this knowledge at your young age. Good luck in your sewing journey. Block patterns are a game changer.
@@spearbun hello Nicole! Welcome to the wonderful world of sewing! How exciting that so many younger people are creating their own wardrobe .💗
@@demitraferles7970 Yes! :) Over the last year or so I’ve been getting educated on fast fashion and how dangerous it is both for us psychologically (and financially haha) and for the planet. The added bonus is that I can make things I love to wear for half (or less) of the price from the rack!
I could listen to you talk all day 💖 Your talkative videos are always quick-witted, funny, thoughtful and thorough.
Thank you!
For the lazy people, a lot of comfort comes from fiber and fit. I have a couple of cotton vintage style skirts that work well year round with often more modern tops. I have found myself reaching for the one that is slightly big in the waist on lazy days.
Also, thank you for the idea to pin broches to ribbon to wear as a bracelet! I just inherited one I want to wear but just am not a broch person.
dresses (especially flowy slips) and shirt+trouser combos are surprisingly great for lazy days, because they're very much a pull-on-and-go outfit
I have a spider brooch that I pin on the thigh of a black dress!
The Closet Historian touched on a lot of important points, here. The Pinterest technique was BRILLIANT. The great thing about this day and age is that women can wear (just about) any thing they want. If you don't like to wear skirts and dresses, wear pants. Men's pants, women's pants, there have been a millennia of pants -- wear some. I like to wear skirts and dresses. Even when I am just at home, being lazy AF, I wear (ugly) little house dresses, like from the 30s, 40, 50s, and 70s. Leaving the house, I wear an early medieval dress over a t-shirt and modern shoes. When I (went) to church, I (wore) straight Edwardian (-- full circle skirts, umbrella skirts, narrower skirts, all floor length). All of my clothes are worn in a modern way in that they are worn over and have been drafted and fitted over modern undies and with modern shoes. And, Yes, I am ALWAYS over dressed, even at my most casual. I totally understand that this can be very scary and intimidating, at first. My mother is a VERY modern woman, and hesitates to wear anything that isn't in keeping with the current (fashion) season. And, certainly, she gives me a lot of flack for the concept of the way I dress. However, because I am always put together, clean, (and over dressed to the modern eye,) she never criticizes what I am wearing NOW, no matter when NOW occurs. Experience has taught me that just about the only thing strangers will give me crap about is a hat. 🙄
The other thing I do is, except for when I am sick, I do my hair and my eyes, everyday. I don't do this for "vintage" reasons. I do it because I have a mirror over all the sinks I visit during a day, and I still have eyes that can see. I have no desire to encounter The Great Depression everytime I wash my hands, so this is just for me. And it's not that big a deal. When I get dressed in the morning, I watch a video while I curl my hair (with a modern curling iron), and I do my eyes (that's the only make-up I wear) while I wait for my hair to cool. Then brush the hair out -- all done, and ready to go change the cat litter.
The biggest piece of advice, and she covered it in an earlier video, is START SMALL. If you are around a regular, set group of people, like we were before Ye Olde Plague, do one thing -- like hair, or make-up, then, after a while, add one more thing, -- top or bottom -- then, again, after a bit, add one more thing. Doing it incrementally, the people around you get used to it, and suddenly, you are full vintage, and they never noticed, nor do they even bat an eye. That's just YOU, and you have always dressed like that.
l've been watching your videos for two years or so and l still thoroughly enjoy all of the content, even tho l haven't sewn for years and l don't really wear vintage. l wish l'd had your attitude about self-image and style when l was your age, and when combined with your wonderful sense of humor, your channel is always a pleasure. l basically just like hanging out with you. Hope you're still making time to write.
Thank you Susan ❤ I haven't had nearly enough time to write as much as I have wanted to this last year by a long shot...but I'm working on a new scheduling plan for next year that will hopefully help
"I do, because I don't mind pain." That made me laugh out loud. Sometimes we have to sacrifice comfort for style.
A good inspiration for gender fluidity in vintage fashion is the New Romantic and New Wave music scene of the 1980s. Many of the styles from artists like Annie Lennox, David Bowie, Gary Numan, and Grace Jones (to name a handful) were inspired by vintage fashion and much of it could be carried into a modern day vintage wardrobe. It takes practice and experimentation to get the look right for yourself and while it might not be completely historically accurate, it will carry enough weight of the era you're evoking that it won't matter. Unfortunately sometimes you do have to accept that some things don't work for you no matter how much you want them to. Thankfully, history has been around for quite a while so there's definitely going to be something out there for you. Mix and match, have fun, where what you want and know that your personal style is a journey not a destination. Enjoy it as much as you can, however you can. Know that this friendly neighbourhood enby supports your efforts to feel fantastic being yourself.
I also think some of the elements of Jean-Paul Gaultier's work (purposeful juxtaposition and provocation) can be an inspiration!
I happen to love New Romantic and New Wave music too in addition to the great outfits 😍
@@TheClosetHistorian Discovering one of my favourite RUclipsrs (that's you, btw) also has excellent taste in music (no real surprise) was a nice treat today!
@@noexpensespentstudios ❤
For the school teacher question, I was a kindergarten teacher so I wore lots of dungarees & boots for winter & summer the dungarees & sneakers it was comfortable & I could move around really well.
The question about the vintage equivalent of t-shirt and sweatpants made me think of the Dressed:The History of Fashion podcast series Worn to Win: Dressing the Summer Olympic Athlete and their discussion of the development of activewear. They shared pictures on their instagram of early and midcentury athletes in tank tops and shorts and sweatsuits.
They definitely had active wear, and casual summer "playsuits" and such too which are great fun!
I made the blouse you are wearing with my grandmother in 1981, and I still love it on you!
Thanks for the discussion! I agree with you on people perceiving vintage as “dressing formally”. My mother spent the first year after I started wearing vintage saying variations of “I’d never have guessed my daughter would wear dresses so often”. And I am in my 40s and she is in her 70’s (so grew up in the 50s). She now regularly borrows one of my vintage coat:-). But I have found two things to be true: 1) you just get used to it (instead of feeling like you stand out) and, for me, really enjoy looking put together. And 2) honestly I’ve gotten more compliments in the last three years on how I look from complete strangers than the prior two decades of wearing modern clothes from friends and family (so that helps on the confidence/self esteem front😁). One thing that also helps is my husband is so supportive, never blinks an eye and tells people who ask him that he thinks I look beautiful and that I am happy😊. I am very lucky in that.
Love it. I also find if my separates can mostly be mixed, it’s easier to grab a top and bottom out of the closet without stress.
MY BIG QUESTION: Did you piece together that dress to achieve the pattern? First thing that came to my mind. I get sidetracked by the unusual for these times.
If you want do a suit, you can start with Vintage Vogue and follow the directions. All will be well and you to have more than enough skill to do it. Think of it as a confidence booster. How I got into suiting with ease. I had the training and did sew suits but always felt so shaky doing it.
Most think of me as dressed up which has me shaking my head. I often wear Men's 70% cotton stretch chinos in a straight leg. Very comfortable at home or killing myself in working at a hotel. I no longer do sweats or PJ pants because of past severe depression issues. Wearing them has me slide in deeper.
I wear casual dresses & tell folks that I just needed a high level of casual to keep depression at bay. I call my sewing Retro because I do modernize some of the design to suit myself. That said, I mix things of different periods into my modern wardrobe. I'm on such a tight budget that just about everything must have at least two different look styles. Most can be dressed up or down or used with different accessories to get professional, goth, punk, & romanticish. Skirts, blouses and sweaters are big staples of mine.
Leaving the US, did a lot for my looking less frumpy or sloppy. I'm back in the states and I see no reason to change things I learned in Europe.
Heels, I mostly wear Naturalizer and can walk around or stand in their 3-4" heels for over 8 hours. I've found that at least a half inch heel on even ballet flats is a Godsend and makes my Osteoarthritis bearable. If I had paid more attention to not torturing myself with footwear in my younger days, I wouldn't need hip replacement surgery for both hips today.
As usual, its been fun watching you.
@@susanstewart1402 I do both the get it done and the intensive approach. Depends on my.mood. As I make about 15 of each garment, I go faster than usual doing intensive techniques. I am guilty of Turing an easy 1 hour project onto a four hour by improving the drsign and doing higher sewing techniques.
The fabric is already striped luckily! So it is just cut to chevron down the center front seam and match along the top of the sleeve from beyond the drat up there in the shoulder at least ✨
I think a really good way to dress lazy vintage is to just have some swing skirts that basically don't crease, couple of cute matching tops that don't need ironing(my favs are strerchy off shoulder puffy sleeved tops that come a dime a dozen in h&m ir similar stores now), have a nice sturdy belt, like black or brown woven leather that you can wear with anything and a pair of oxfords or other nice flats and that's that. Easy grab and go. If you learn to do a gibson roll in the back or put your hair in a headscarf it will add extra vintage look
"what do you grab all the time" I started sweating profusely when you said this because 99% of the time it's a black shirt, a pair of black pants, and one of various pairs of doc martens (which my husband would like to claim I collect, but since I wear them all, is it really a collecting? no, no it's not).
I’ve decided the “solution” to wearing black tops, the vast majority of the time is to collect ones with various style details. Interesting necklines, various sleeve lengths, hem lines, materials, cuffs, buttons…
There’s little point in collecting colours I won’t end up wearing.
I had a couple colours I liked, but changing my hair colour really changed which colours I like on me, so again… black.
Why sweating though? If that's what yr most comfy in, then rock it:)
@@lynn858 this, the trick to wearing lots of black is just interesting details, cuts and silhouettes, mixing textures/materials, and playing around with transparency and layering
@@LynxieDove You are right =) I do have other shirts I like to wear, but the overwhelming majority are black, and that's perfectly fine.
@@lynn858 I did this a lot in the past because I really do like other colors (pretty much any shade of green, especially), just not so much WEARING all the colors. Now I only choose shirts that I know I will wear because of style, etc. I've been doing what you describe with the different textures, fabrics, cuts, and whatnot. Some have prints on them, too.
Only thing I don't really worry about clothes-wise are pants. I found a style that I really like and have 9 pair, 6 are black, 2 are dark grey, and one is a small pattern black and white plaid...because who doesn't love a good plaid?? =)
A bit late to the party but...
for the cohesive fashion question: I've thought about his a bit. To me that question is trying to articulate the impossibility of starting out in vintage fashion, you have bags and shoes and dresses and hats but they don't ever seem to 'go' together because there are so many variables at play (even if you span only 2 decades of vintage fashion that's still many years of style trends, you have junior vs woman style, winter vs summer weight, different colours, and daywear vs evening). So it feels like you have to collect so much stuff to have even a single outfit that feels right together.
My solution to this so far is to only buy colours I really feel comfortable in, mostly wear 50s in the summer and 40s in the winter, and make clothes in fabrics that really suit the time/place I will wear them. I've also built up a versatile collection of bags and shoes in very boring colours and I feel a little more cohesive now.
The more decades you include, the harder all of this is, I think. Each fashion season has some logic behind the skirt length/ shoe style / silhouette shape, and mixing those things can feel off without it being super obvious why. You get a feel for it eventually.
I am a primary school teacher (mixed grades, Prep to Yr 6). I frequently talk to my students about my outfits. The idea of "old and new" is covered in the Australian curriculum under History through Prep to Year 2, and I often bring in my 1940s dress patterns to school and show them to my students. They are very impressed that I make my own clothes and that I used a pattern that is 80 years old. It also links in to school discussions about sustainability and the effects fast fashion has on my environment.
My advice regarding wearing vintage style within the school environment? Embrace it, and include it within your teaching!
I have recently binged all your videos after hearing about you from Engineering Knits. I LOVE your style and your videos are fun, interesting and informative. Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. You’re awesome☺️
Thank you Sara!
Bianca, your comment about not caring for late-50s/early-60s style made me think of the excellent book The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski. The book focuses on the care and thought that women put into dressing in the first half of the 20th century. It also discusses how, in the 60s, the silhouette became more childish - women's dresses looked like little girl dresses - and that the era marked the beginning of the end of truly stylish dressing.
As a Canadian, I lean into Katherine Hepburn style slacks often in the winter.
I wear thicker tights too. I discovered that cutting off the “brief” part and wearing the tights with a garter belt is amazing! Warm and yet so comfy!
Timezone-wise I can't watch your videos when they come out and go to work in the morning without feeling like I'm dying, so I love coming home on fridays and starting the weekend with your videos! It's always a wonderful beginning.
Thank you! ❤
Also, with regards to caring how other people view me or my style, I saw a quote once that has been a really helpful reminder for me. The quote was: “I’m not here to decorate your world.” I dress for myself. As far as choosing what I wear, I evaluate them based on three criteria/questions:
1. Is it neat (or if it looks disheveled, is it intended to look that way)?
My way of dressing casually and lazy is always a cotton dress and a cardigan. I may look more put together than what others consider casual, but I have worn that combo so many times, that it has become my casual. Also it becomes more casual for me if I don't accesorise it. And dresses are in my opinion the best lazy clothing: just one piece and nothing that digs into the waist if it's loose enough. And as long as it isn't floor lenght the dress will not hinder you in any way in day to day life.
I am 50 years, live in Finland and have worn vintage style mosty 40's and 50's since I was 11 and we have very cold winters, like over -20 or -30 degrees celsius and my advice what to wear in those temperatures is layering and wool clothes. For example in winter when its very cold I have on bra, undershirt, if necessary ad thin wool undershirt, wool dress and cardigan + for lower part under dress I have wool stockings, short wool hosery, maybe leg warmers, good winter boots and over those all my thick warm long wool overcoat from 40's, wool scarf/thick wool hat/mittens and if double those mittens. You really can use this with any decade of vintage, just layering and wool. I understand that we here in northern countries are used to wear and we have here those vintage warm wooly clothes, some I knit myself to fit my body. My grandma teached me when I was kid what she had on in 40's and 50's when it was cold so im priviledged in that way, grandmothers ❤
I like your comment, Johanna and the part about your grandmother. I don't wear vintage, (not yet, anyway) but I can identify with the layering required for the cold winters. I was born in northern Alberta and grew up in northern Ontario. Very similar to what you get in Finland, I would imagine. I can remember having to leave room under my Halloween costume for a snow suit!
@@pennyplaysbach Thank you for your answer and yes, quite similar conditions like we have in Finland. Some of my relatives moved to Canada after WW2 to Edmonton area and it is so beautiful country, would like to visit there one day 🤗
Very interesting insights Bianca. My mum was born in 1930 and I remember her telling me when I was young that her and her sister were forbidden to wear trousers or shorts even in their 20's. I never knew my grandparents, he sounded very strict. It must have been quite common then.
Also I totally agree about people's dress code these days, you can't tell if they are going to the corner store or a wedding. I love to dress up vintage inspired but not necessarily always vintage. I get many compliments and I've even had people at church ask me if I owned a dress shop, 1 man came up to me and said he loves coming to church to see what dress I'll be wearing. I had no idea people check each other out so much especially when they don't know you. 🌸🌼🌷💕
For comfortable vintage wear, I really like knitwear - fitted, shortsleeved knitted tops are quite vintage, and feel like a slightly warmer t-shirt to wear! If you're into knitting, get ready for tiny stitches, but there are tons of vintage patterns available on both etsy and ravelry.
My advice for vintage winter fashion for the bottom half are as follows; lace up boots, knee high socks, wool long coats, vintage long fur coats, wool skirts, skirt slips, and bloomers.
I wish you all much warmth!!
I have elaborated on vintage style quite a lot before, but some of the videos are simply a few years old these days! While I may have gotten a bit more comfortable in front of the camera since then, I hope some of my more in depth videos on these subjects may still be of help. As such, here is a "How to start wearing vintage style" playlist: ruclips.net/video/JqWlCsCATEA/видео.html
And also the often requested Vintage Undergarments Video: ruclips.net/video/IEC3uhhF90Q/видео.html More links in the description above!
My wardrobe was a mess and I never had anything to wear. Then I found Pinterest, curated a style which turned out to work with my kibbe type, decided on a colour palette and now everything goes together! I am having so much fun sewing vintage style 🥰 I know there are no “rules” but I enjoy playing with “guidelines”. I love saying “thank you, I made it” 😎
okay yes, this discussion on formality! I wear a lot of linen, lots of linen dresses in my everyday so i tend to be more formal than my surroundings but then linen is the maximum formality available from my wardrobe so I'm too informal in other settings.
I only started wearing (longer) skirts this year, maybe because I was a little traumatised by my high school uniform. It wasn’t because I wanted a more androgynous style or that I didn’t like my legs- just that I found trousers/jeans/shorts more comfortable and casual. Skirts made me feel too dressed up. But now that’s the vibe I’m going for so it made sense to include them in my wardrobe again.
I had penny loafers and used to put a penny in each one. It was nice to see the rainbow dress fabric up close. I enjoyed looking at the pattern while you talked.
Doubling up thinner denier stockings/tights can give you some extra warmth but still look sleek in cold weather. And a rayon dress it may have been, but you can guarantee there would have been a cotton or wool singlet, petticoat and probably wool spencer underneath to add layers against the cold!
Quote of the week! : Your going to be dressed more formally than most people because most people don't wear non-stretch fabric.
So true!!
In terms of teaching teens+ in vintage, accessories are your friends. Folio bags, formal white shirts with French cuffs can take vintage cufflinks. Cufflinks can be perfectly androgynous too. Silk scarves in classic prints at the neck or in the hair, high waisted wool trousers look fantastic and smart. I once scored a charcoal tweed Lagerfeld pair in TK Maxx for £1 that should have been priced at £100 🎉 Once you know your silhouette, it's much easier to style even the most modern things. In terms of "other people", one of the really fun things about fashion and clothing is the connections you make when someone successfully "reads" your outfit. To anyone feeling anxious about bolder attire, choose one piece you love and the confidence it gives you will make it easier to wear.
Thank you for taking the time to do this video! Your channel has been an inspiration for me to work on my sewing!
Thank you!
@@TheClosetHistorian oh my goodness you're so very welcome!! :D
My top tip for vintage style when lazy af: onepieces like dresses/jumpsuits and shoes/accessories that match with most things (in my case black). This obviously is not a hair and makeup solution but I barely spend 2 minutes getting actually dressed most days with this solution...
I watch a lot of different genres on RUclips but I always come back to you as soon as you post a video. I love listening to you talking about clothing and style!
Thank you! ❤
Hi Bianca!! I’ve always had the ‘I don’t care attitude’ when it comes to what I wear.. I wear what I like & what is my style.. I do, cause I don’t mind pain.. Made me 😂 out loud.. Sometimes we do sacrifice comfort for fashion….
💜💜💜🧵🧵🧵
Id love to learn more about the ski outfits and how to layer up on a farm in 1940’s. Farm girl style I guess. I live in MN. I have to go outside eventuality.
You are my kind of person. For real, thank you so much for this video. I am floored 💖
Oh I can relate to body image issues! Not so much hour glass, more 24 hour glass😄. My style identity crises started when I got too old for my edgy goth rock look! In my 50's now and don't know what I suit. I'll try the theme board, Thank You. You have the perfect style for you 👏👏. People don't believe me when I tell them pink/red was for boys. I'd say 20's ladies suits would be good for a 'less girly ' look. Helpful video, Tfs
Thank you!
I also have the “don’t care what others think of me” attitude. Both vintage and making my own clothes have given me the confidence to dress in whatever era suits my body. I don’t care if I’ve made more of an effort than my friends cos it shows I’ve made an effort. Why blend in when you were born to stand out?
I personally wouldn't go that far, I'm definitely aware (and don't like) people staring at me. But it turns out I feel most me with a purple pixie cut. So.. there's that, haha.
I think it's all about finding the balance between personal style and social acceptance that's right for you.
Watching Swing Hostess film from 1944 and all I can think of is , OMG look at the suit, Really cute hat, How dies she get her hair like that, That's a cute dress , well you get the idea. You'd love it!
RE the gender question! I get it, it's difficult! I'm on the nonbinary spectrum (I tend to think of myself as not 100% female.) In terms of vintage styles that read more nb I would absolutely say that cardigans and vests are your friend. Both genders wore them, they can look pretty gay if that's what you're into, and vests and waistcoats in particular would also help to smooth out the chest area if you're wearing a binder. You can also go wild with the colours so you don't have to stick to the beige sack "gender neutral' fashions promoted by so many companies today. There's definitely a lot of vintage pin-up high femme kind of stuff out there, but it doesn't mean that's the only way to express vintage aesthetics.
(I've got small shoulders and I find you can't discount a good shoulder pad either!) There are also quite a few vintage androgynous haircuts out there - whether it's like, the longer more Oscar Wilde poet hair, the sailor ponytail from the 18th century, shags from the 20s, quiffs - there's quite a few that don't exclusively read as one gender or the other
I find (for the lazy vintage) that a comfortable one piece vintage wrap dress that I can throw on over leggings helps. Or even a vintage style cardigan over jeans/trousers, or a linen shirt under a sweater. I have a 40s coat I throw on over anything. It adds some vibe but keeps the lazy. :)
I’ve been really lucky to find a lot of vintage pieces at thrift stores. I teach grades k-4 and live in a cold environment so I wear a lot of dresses with fleece lined tights. I don’t do vintage shoes though, because I don’t want anything with a heel. If you don’t think vintage outfits at school can be done - hair makes a HUGE difference. Just doing your hair in a particular style can make you look retro.
@5:00 ish... OOF. I felt that. SAME.
*keeps watching*
I like the mentality of not sticking to ONE style. People should worry less about trying to pigeonhole themselves into any ONE thing/label and just go with what they feel like from day to day.
"Choose things to wear that appeal to you" - BEST ADVICE EVER. Good job navigating a tough question. I personally don't think there's an answer that can fit everyone more than the answer you gave.
@29:25 ish -- "If you wear nice clothes, you're going to look more formal" (paraphrased) - Yep. If you're in anything other than comfy pants and a tee, you're "dressed up." Even nice jeans and not-beat-up shoes and a not-ratty tee is "nice". We are fully in PJ culture now.
@ 31:40 "Other people don't matter much to me" - AMEN. I'm done caring what other people think so long as I'm happy doing my thing, I'm not getting in their way and they're not getting in mine.
I think the "lazy AF" for me is more about ironing... I'm not the person that asked the question, but that's how I interpreted it. Planning ahead would help. Or dressing like a hippie where not being perfectly pressed would still be true to the look.
This was a fun video! I'm over here acting like I'm having a conversation with you because I'm a dork, but hey! It was fun! ❤
Lol, at least you're typing your end of the "conversation." I talk back to the video. I'm not crazy, I know Bianca can't hear me, I'm just too lazy to type my thoughts.🤣
Don't get me wrong, I'm lazy too, but I'd rather type than talk. 😂
“We are in PJ culture” had me laughing omg bless
Thank you Jessica! I can assure you that I am very much a dork myself, and I talk out loud to myself while I work sometimes so there's that too 😂
I wore a plaid cotton blouse, a denim pencil skirt and black heels to dinner with my in-laws and was ask why I was so dressed up.
Me: Um...Sorry, you primarily see me in my "dropping-off-the-kids-before-I-clean-my-house" clothing but this is my "going-out-of-the-house" clothes.
You really do just have to get used to people assuming you're "dressed up" for some event when dressing with vintage style.
My Rockabilly times are long gone, but they were on the "lazy" side: Marlene pants, striped Tshirt, pearl earrings, converse.
Hair: fringe curled, teased, styled. High bun, curly hairpiece clipped on, bandana around.
winged eyeliner, red lips.
I guess that's the easiest I can think of :)
Everyone always tells me I look so formal and honestly I put FAR less time into the way I dress than they do most of the time. I have a 5yo who I homeschool and need to be on the go a lot. My wardrobe is 1940s and 40s look stuff 💯 now. I'm 38 and have been dressing this way for 20+ years. But honestly I find pulling on a one piece dress and having my hair already set once a week it can take me 3 minutes to get dressed. Of course I CAN take forever if o want to and go to town on my hair, stockings, makeup etc but honestly for me pre-set hair, a dress and slick of red lippy is so much easier and lazier than a pony tail, jeans and a t-shirt!
Once you've got a system down it can totally be just as quick as anything else!
Cohesion:overrated! I was that girl that dressed differently every day. 90s teenager, 42 now... Lol but I'd be super prep one day, cowgirl boots and denim the next, full on goth lace and crazy platform boots, then my Nirvana or Tool t-shirt with ripped jeans and my doc Martens, Adidas track suit and shell toes on Friday. It was a thing until my 30s. I worked in a uniform so after work was my time. I didn't conform and now I make my own clothes so I design for comfort and ease of care now. But the theme is always what I feel like expressing that day. The thoughts of others mattering more than what we think about ourselves is a terrible blow to self esteem these days. I thoroughly enjoyed this and you fielded the questions with as much tact and care as possible. Bottom line is : if it brings you joy, to coin the phrase, then do it and damn the rest!
Very interesting! I do really enjoy your content. My personal style preference comes from my childhood. 60's and 70's fashion is very dear to my heart. No matter my style, I am interested in learning about garments thru the ages and the construction of garments. Thank You!
Marika from enchanted rose shouted out your peasant blouse today! Congratulations 🎉🎊
I always enjoy you as a personality and your videos. I think that you give a clear out put here in youtube and your content is very enjoyble. I started to buy vintage inspired clothes couple of years ago but have now finally found my "style" in them. I like granny and librarian style and hope to in time collect a good wardrobe.
Thank you! Librarian is such a good style goal ❤
Omg that top looks so good on you. Is that something you made or purchased?
Thank you! It is this same pattern but in a striped (vintage cotton) fabric ruclips.net/video/fOvq55ruBbw/видео.html
I’m adopting the line “ Kill that idea with fire”
As always, love to see your videos, this one is up to your high standard, well done and carry on!
Thank you!
re: warm or outdoor vintage fashion. I've got some knowledge here, because my mother was a geologist in the 1950s, and very outdoorsy in the 40s. I've been an archaeologist for 40 years as well, and until extremely recently, we wore men's clothing, so jeans, wool trousers, heavy shirts etc., etc. They still don't make a lot of work clothing for women, but in the day, unless you could afford a tailor, you recut men's clothing. People (women) with some money would get boots made specially, or you wore men's with extra socks. Redwings made women's work shoes in the 70s and 80s which were like men's but sized for women's feet, and I don't know how long they did that for, but boyfriend jeans and sweaters were a real thing.
Teacher: longer circle skirts and cardigans with a button down or blouse is vintage style and super easy to find at mall nowadays. Styling and mainly doing your hair in a vintage way is where its at.
I like your dress!! Thanks for that video, it was really interesting.
Thank you!
To avoid chub rub when you don’t want to wear those smoother shorts, we don’t always want to wear them. Put silicone lubricant on your thighs. In summer it doesn’t sweat off and it keeps the rub under control.
hi Bianca, I'm a huge fan of the Mad Men series, which was set in the 1960s. I guess some of the fashions from the 50s were still overlapping/influencing the early 60s fashion. Love it!
Maybe it's not what people want to hear but I feel like the answer to a bunch of these questions is to mix vintage with current clothes. Like, if you want it to be more casual or more gender-neutral or avoid skirts, you can just take the pieces that are most exciting to you and wear them with comfy pants or whatever.
I love the colors you are doing wearing.
Thank you Marilyn!
This video is very informative, Bianca. Next week, I plan to send a package to your post office box with a little something to help you keep on purchasing things to assist you in creating your marvelous craft.
Thank you for the support!
I'm happy to say that I've watched enough of your videos to guess your last answer correctly! Haha. I'm sure one day, when you're a master sewist and you are looking for something new to learn, you will get into tailoring.
Oh gosh, I relate to your ace/clothing thing so much. I'm also an ace pretty high femme woman and yeah, "sex appeal" of clothing (or even "sexy underwear") is just not even something I think about. I wear clothes that make *me* feel good, and sometimes they're "sexy" dresses, and sometimes it's a derpy flamingo print.
The first question was not asked by me, but I am also a school teacher (high school) who really wants to dress vintage but is hesitant. I think it would probably be fine as, like you said, vintage clothes are pretty modest, but students would definitely think it was weird and would probably comment on it a lot, which is not usually what you want as a teacher, at least in my experience. I havent seen the other video about dressing vintage at work, so I will definitely check it out!
My students don’t know enough to know I’m dressing “vintage”…they just call me “stylish” (they’re 12). Actually, they appreciate that I “dress up”…cultural, within the group of people that I work with, it’s a marker of respect.
"Once you label me you negate me." - Soren Kierkegaard. That may not speak to everyone, but it's one of my favorite quotes to help remind myself not to be concerned with what opinions others may have (or more likely, assume) about me. Also, it helps remind me to check my assumptions about myself - for instance, "I'm bad at math" - to me, that's a label, and I have come too far in my life to keep carrying that kind of thing around.
I love your dress you are wearing on this video. It looks good on you.
Thank you Fay!
For those who want some more great info on vintage winter outerwear, Rachel Maksy has a video on that that I think is pretty helpful.
I love your blouse. Did you make that? I love watching your channel. I listen to you while I sew and clean my house. I feel like I learn something new.
Same. I've learnt so much from her
Thank you Elyse! The top is made from my wrap back top pattern ruclips.net/video/fOvq55ruBbw/видео.html
OMG! I love that top! Did you make It? If you did, could we get a video on it?
Thank you! It is the wrap back top I made a video for last year, I have made...a bunch of them now 😅 ruclips.net/video/fOvq55ruBbw/видео.html
I'm 55, never had children. I wish I could say my body shape hasn't changed! Also I never would have imagined 20 years ago what styles I would be interested in now. When I was young I wore a LOT of black (it was the 80s). My wardrobe is more colorful now. I still have a couple black dresses in my closet, but whenever I put them on I look like I'm headed to a funeral.
I’m 50 with no children and I’m just as much of a round middle aged lady as my mother was at my age even though she had five children. I did keep my figure until my mid forties though. Its not all age either, I went up 2 dress sizes during the long, loooong lockdowns we’ve had in the UK.
Thank you for referencing Dandy Wellington. He has great style! On the gender neutral topic, let's not forget that kilts are "menswear" but look suspiciously like skirts. I have inherited 3 kilts: 2 from my grandmother and one from my best friend's mother. None of them were ever worn as menswear.
Kill that idea with fire...... I’m stealing this!
If you're looking for cold weather inspiration, take a look at the vintage knitting hashtag on Instagram. Pinterest is full of vintage knitting patterns too. Take a look to get an idea of what ordinary women wore and hey maybe take up knitting? 😂 Also, wear real wool if you can. The difference in warmth compared to synthetic fibres is HUGE.
Personally I have tried to learn to knit a few times but my brain just can't handle it, but oh boy do I admire all the cute sweaters all the same!
Lol...loving this vid! I don't like alot 1960s or 70s fashion, but I do like alot of the decor. Not a big fan of any garment with shoulder pads, but...if removing them would make the garment look weird....meh. Can't see myself getting into alot of Victorian clothing....way to many frills, but I quite like Edwardian. 30s-early 60s is my general preferred range, though being a big girl, even some early 60s would be a bit difficult.
Hi, As my idea of feeling lazy, I'll share a bit of life. I have been mostly bed bound in chronic pain for 25 years, and have had other mostly unrelated chronic medical stuff going in a kind of circle since 2013. I'm on the other end of what to do if I'm lazy, in that I have lived in jazz/yoga pants and T-shirt for the last umpteen years doing most of my life in bed. I've had my eye on things in the Pajamas section of vintage/retro for some time now, to dress up a bit for daytime, when I haven't slept for three nights, when I'm under the influence of antibiotics and/or cortisone for a couple of weeks, or other medicals (I'm not a fan of any medicals). I have yet to fully implement the idea, but I'm closing in. I'll make my own of course, as destroying the real stuff, is something I couldn't bare. I've found some good resources for PDF patterns at Etsy, and I think they sell paper copies too. Yours, Ann.
"People don't matter much to me, I like humans..." ❤️ It's super annoying but ego boosting whenever I dress the way I want instead of like a lazy millennial. I usually get a positive response but I have anxiety and I don't want attention all the time.
You are just fabulous!!!
Ha! Thank you! 😅
@TheClosetHistorian, I think a dark pink could work for you...like a shade darker then hot pink.
I just found this video. Please tell me about how to belt.
Do you just add a belt?
No belt loops, just cinch it up?
Skinny or wide belts ?
Shirt tucked in or out?
Thank you!
The ideal look in the past was explained the best in a bonus feature of Mona Lisa Smiles. Today 40 years old wanna be 20. Then 20 year olds wanted to be 40
Great video! I'm so glad you talk about the distinction between Misses & Womens clothes, which is now completely lost. I don't like current clothing trends because the are very young , I'm 56 an I don't want to dress like "mutton dressed as lamb". A great movie that illustrates the differences in womens styles based on age is "The Major and The Minor" with Ginger Rogers (actually any movie with Ginger), she portrays a woman trying to get a cheaper ticket on a train so she dresses as a school girl, so funny. Btw, Androgyny ... Garbo, Hepburn, Bacall!
"The bar on formality is so low" LOL! Tru dat