Vintage and me

I always had a strong affection towards vintage. I just never knew.

When I was little I would watch "High Society" over and over again - I just loved Grace Kellys hair and how her beautiful frocks swished when she moved. I've also always been fond of Elvis movies and old German/Austrian films from the 50s (Peter Alexander, Roy Black and the likes ♥).



Grace Kelly (in my favourite dress of the film) and Frank Sinatra in High Society.

Later on as a teenager I adored American diners and Grease - though I think the first has a lot to do with my strong affinity to the colour red and the latter with my little passion for John Travoltas blue eyes :-)

In my late teens and early 20s I admired and emulated mostly the 60s - Bardot was a great idol for me - big hair, smoky eyes and pale lips - to this day I think this is the sexiest and prettiest look ever.

My first flat at 19 was plastered with Vargas and Ramos (though those are 60s pin-ups) prints - I adored them. I also always felt quite partial towards Lucille Ball as I sometimes got told I look like her (my mimics and facial expressions).

Alberto Vargas Pin-Up





In my 20s then I had a revival of my love for swishy skirts, Carrie Bradshaw and Marc Jacobs are partly to blame for this. I think circle skirts are the most beautiful garment ever made for a woman. The epitomy of feminine clothing. Slowly I realised that I just LOVE the 50s, the dresses, the cardis, the make-up. Women were women and the tailoring actually fits and flatters me. They had boobs and bums in those days :-)

In the last few years I aquired quite a few 50s inspired items and I would dress up on special occassions.

And then I turned 31 and gave yours truly a little present - I told myself I don't need occassions to dress up and I also don't need to go vintage full time. I allow me at least one retro day a week, one day I dress up or wear at least partly vintage (or inspired) accessories. And that's how I discovered the 40s for myself. In my 20s when I had flaming red hair I would have made a BRILLIANT psychobilly but now it's the elegance that's luring me towards it. I feel grown up and demure in a very good way when I dress up in a 40s outfit. The hairstyles are so elaborate and so much fun to do. In a 50s outfit I feel more playful but equally beautiful. I recently started collecting actual vintage - I now own 2 genuine vintage dresses and quite a bit of jewllery. That's just the start!

So even though red lips on a daily basis are an impossible thing to achieve for me (not so kissable with a little toddler around) I am really looking forward to a new vintage year ahead!