Last week I received this email from a reader….
“I found your blog recently and absolutely love your girly inspirations. I’m glad there are sharers in the world, yay the WWW.
As an eighties teenager I was raised with no fashion sense at all, (in some ways that may be a lucky coincidence of fate) so I was wondering if i may ask, is everything in your wardrobe of matching fashion, is it all in your style on these pages? I wonder whether period fashionista’s have two fashion lives or its all the way?” – B
… to which I (of course) began penning a very long and involved reply. Once I realised it was going to be a short essay I figured it would be something to share with you all, so here is my answer.
If I understand correctly what she is asking is, is everything I own vintage style or do I have a “normal” wardrobe as well? I can’t answer for all other vintage enthusiasts, only myself.
To answer as best as I can, I am not a vintage purist. What I mean by that is that I will happily mix a 1950′s dress with modern shoes or a 1940′s jacket with a Disney headband (yep, I’ve done that at Fashion week). I’ve been collecting and wearing vintage for close to twenty two years now, and find that I wear it with varying intensity over different times in my life. There are indeed times that I wear head to toe vintage, from the hairstyle to the earrings to the shoes; everything is period accurate; but this could be for a variety of reasons. I understand that there are many enthusiasts out there that participate in “Re-Creation” types of events, which is something I have yet to experience. However, outside of specific modelling engagements where I might be hired for this purpose, there is no real rhyme or reason for when I decide to frock up in that manner. It could be just about anything, even a dreaded visit to the supermarket that motivates me to spice it up a little.
Going vintage all the way!
Do I have more than one wardrobe? Yes. But not in the way you might expect. I have (to be honest) about three wardrobes on the go at any one time, and this is to cater to space limitations. If I had a dream walk in robe with a place for everything, then I’d only have one. As it is I have it spilt across three areas in my own room, my guest room and my studio. I divide it up by things that are currently out of season, things that need repair or alteration and things that are in current rotation. It may sound fabulous but believe me it is a never ending source of angst trying to manage such a cobbled together system. The one thing you will not find…. the old jeans and t-shirt or logoed tracksuit anywhere to be seen.
I don’t have an “on duty / off duty” wardrobe, so everything you see on the blog is the way I dress, all the time. Yes, sometimes it is more theatrical and intense for specific purposes like show casing that amazing gown from Violetville earlier in the week, but you will also find that most of it is just my day to day look. I don’t fluff about styling fancy photo shoots in things I don’t actually wear, just for the purpose of this blog. Frankly, with two small children to get fed and out of the house on time I just don’t have the time, and when evening comes around I certainly don’t have the energy. 99% of my Daily Outfit photos have to be done in two minutes flat on the front porch.
While I believe that you can add more glamour and magic to your everyday life through what you wear, there are times when I have to make compromises and times when I just don’t have it in me to go the whole nine yards in dolling up. However, my version of dressing down or casual, seems to be a bit different to the generally held standard these days. The only time you will find me in a dressing gown for the whole day, I must be near death’s door with illness, only appearing from the bedroom to garner more sympathy.
I do own and wear gym clothes (like these), but they will only be seen in the gym or enroute – not picking up the shopping or hanging out for coffee. Now that is not to say that I expect the same from everyone else, it is just that for me if I spend a day dressed like this I don’t feel like myself and that doesn’t make me happy.
Makeup free (if you don’t count lipbalm) going to the gym.
I don’t always wear makeup. There are times and days when it just isn’t appropriate. If I know I’ll be spending the entire day out in the garden working hard (ish), then I will usually be seen in my solitary pair of jeans, huge hat, bare faced only with slatherings of sunscreen and lipbalm. Attempting to reapply 40+spf over a full face of makeup whilst also attempting to keep dirt out of your eyes is just ridiculous. Besides which, with a slathering a red lipbalm and huge dark sunnies that is enough glamour for my rose bushes to handle!
I also try to have at least one makeup free day a week. A day to let my skin relax, breath and have a bit of a DIY facial. This is not as relaxing as it sounds however, as it is usually accompanied by screams of feigned terror at the Mama Monster and her masked face. I attempt to salvage my glamour factor in these instances by wearing a fabulous vintage dressing gown, sipping tea (whilst Tweeting) and imagining myself away.
So B, I hope this is the answer you were looking for, and for everyone else I hope this gives you a better picture of who I am. The short answer is that everything you see on this blog is me. There is no alter ego, no hidden stylist, no pro photographer. The reason I began writing this blog and the reason I am so passionate to spend a large chunk of my life on it is to show that should you wish to, it IS POSSIBLE to make your life a little bit more glamorous.
You don’t need to be rich or famous, you don’t need to be artistic or have a team of specialists on hand.
You just need to want it and be courageous!
It’s just perfect. Dark, spiced and a...
you have wonderful skin! would you do a post on your DIY facials? Do you make your own products or is there something you buy?
Love-love-love this post SKM!!! <3
Just yesterday my poor guy was having to listen to me rant (or pretend to listen to me
) about how while I adore fashion blogs, so many of them in my opinion "cheat" and as that's something I'd never do, I have to admit it cheeses me off a little.
Like you, all my outfit pics are me! As in what I truly wore out that day, to do whatever I wrote about. I don't make some fantasy editorial fabulous number up and then take pics and pretend that's who I am. I never photoshop either, I don't even know how to *shame*
I love authentic blogs – yours, ASAB's, Fashion Chalet and Sea of Ghosts are all faves of mine beacuse you're real girls wearing real fashion living real lives!
You're inspirational but not out of reach. Keep it up!
BTW your makeup free is simply spectacular.
<3 xxx
What a beautiful coat! Hope you were going some where glamorous!
You look absolutely amazing, as always!!!
))
Love,
Aya (http//strawberrykoi.blogspot.com/)
Aya: Thank you. I was just over on your blog again last night catching up – what a little heartbreaker you have there!
I even went and took photos today, so stay tuned later in the week for more details.
Katie: Well actually I was just going to work in a friends shop for the day – does that count?
Rebecca: I’ve had so many requests for that one, and I promise it IS coming.
Gawd your skin is soo flawless, I’d like to peel your face off and wearing sometime xxx
Wow, your skin is amazing! What’s your secret?
I love how honest you are, it makes it your style so much more admirable.
Great post!
Your skin is flawless
Thanks for your extended response to B and being so forthcoming in sharing! It certainly warms me to know that not all bloggers are doing it just because it’s hip and have a pseudo army of assistants helping them look/sound smart, witty or glamorous. It’s a joy reading your blog and thanks for sharing!
Hellgar: Thank you so much! There is nothing like being ourself to be truly unique.
Lola, Rosie & Imelda: Okay then. The long, long over due skin care post is on it’s way this week. I mean, if that what it takes to stop me having a “Face Off” moment with Imelda, then I’d better get moving!
^ I agree with the above, it really is such a pleasure reading your blog! So inspirationsal SKM!
Dressing is so much more than _just_ looking good, well it’s that and feeling good _IN_ what you wear.
XXASAB
(: I really really like your vintage clothes! (: Absolutely fun to read your blog.
your eyes are so pretty even without makeup! *big shiny (made up) eyes
Aud: Oh thank you! I think I must have had a good nights sleep before this picture.
Thank you so much for the excellento post – of course I always knew you wouldn’t be the type of person who would wear one thing for the blog and another for ‘real life’.
Though I have to ask – what IS that lip balm you’ve got on in the gym photo??? I’m still a little scared of lippy but lipbalm I am addicted to – anything with a bit of colour is highly desirable and that one you’re wearing is so glossy and perfectly coloured. Please say it’s easy to find!
Esz: I’ve been hunting for the tube to give you the exact details but I can’t find it! Nevertheless, it was a supermarket purchase (so easy) and comes in one of those little squeeze tubes with the angled plastic applicator that you squeeze the gloss from. It has a slightly pinkish hue and was Nivea or something like that. If I find it I’ll let you know – the girls like to borrow it and hide it.
Love your coat…You always look so amazing I’m currently doing modern day pin up posts every now and again of pin ups whom I believe are keeping these great ladies memories alive,would you be willing to submit a pin up photo as you have that look…
I love that you have this all worked out! I struggle with organizing it all (both in my head and in reality). I applaud and envy your ability to glam it up on a (nearly) daily basis! And you make it seem so effortless!
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Thank you for posting this!
I get a lot of questions like this as well, and I think you summed it up beautifully. 
Keep making the world a little more glamorous, SKM!!!
? Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
So well said !
Oh Candice thank you so much! that is exactly what I was trying to ask. I guess I was wondering whether this is something you do or someone you are. Glamour, yes that’s it, maybe I’ve been lacking some good old fashion feminine glamour in my wardrobe and all the wonderful happy therapy that provides
I had never really thought about fashion until I entered University for the first time at 32, now that put my self image on rocky ground, lol, but I didn’t really know what to do about it. Then I come across your beautiful style and I wondered whether it was real or just another magazine type fantasy and how the heck I make that work in the garden
Thank you Candice for being so open. You’ve inspired me to take my fashionable self to hand and not feel self conscious about it!
XX Belinda.
Such a nice article. I used to be a person who wore sweatpants to the shoppingcentre and school, but now I don’t feel as good doing that. I want to dress up now, and this article makes me want to even more.
Thanks!
Hi, I have been watching your youtube videos for awhile and love the ideas for vintage hairstyles. I just recently found your blog and was delighted to see that there was more than just the videos. Anyway, I have a bit of a funny and random question? When you were pregnant with your children did you wear vintage maternity clothes too? I’d imagine they’d be a bit tricky to track down, so I was just curious.
I love your blog!!
I have no where near as many lovely vintage clothes as you, I have my boring old jeans and hoodies and t shirts, but six or seven vintage outfits that I wear whenever I can.
SuzyP: Thanks! Glad to hear you’re having fun dressing up
I’m with you on the whole ‘mix it up’ thing- a wardrobe should be a thing of fun and joy, not a museum or historical archive- some people get so ‘purist’ with vintage that they can be cliquey and intimidating (we’ve all been into ‘that’ kind of shop)…just as bad as a snooty designer label snob in my humble opinion!
Clothing is about being creative really. I must confess that I DO have sportswear in my look but that’s because I’m very into the whole 70s-sportswear/disco/ealy hiphop-thing some days, it’s part of my look (what can I say, I loved Rainbow Brite as a kid). On other days I’m ‘classic’ 30s-50s vintage shapes, I’m a bit ‘mod’ at work- basically I go by ‘can I wear this to this thing’ and ‘do I like it’.