Wednesday, August 7, 2013

How do you feel about wearing cliche prints/styles?

So, I have been slacking with blogging (as always). If you missed the first post, I will go ahead and tell you again, that it is not in my plan right now to keep up with the blog and post several times a week or anything like that. However, I would like to be posting more.
I have been hung up because I want to post about the projects that I have been sewing, and I haven't been sewing much and what I have sewn, I don't have good pictures of. I am just not a good photographer. :(
But I have decided that I think it is okay to post things that are not about what I am sewing or what I am planning on sewing.

So, this post if just a question post. How do you feel about wearing cliche (overused, expected, etc) rockabilly, pinup, etc. outfits?

I love vintage and vintage inspired clothing, however, certain prints and styles seem very cliche to me. Not that I do not like the style, but it just seems so over done, that I feel almost like I am "dressing the part." It is weird and I am just not certain how I feel about it.

For example, I have a cherry print dress (like this fabric)

 
My husband loves it (which is why I keep it), but I am just not certain about it. I feel like I am dressing up "rockabilly" (just add a red cardigan, heels, and pomp and pony). It is not that I have anything against dressing rockabilly, I actually love a lot of rockabilly clothing. I don't know it is really hard to explain.

Here are some prints/styles that I am just not sure I can feel confident in...

sailor inspired wear
cherries I already mentioned




leopard/tiger print 
even polka dots, gingham, and stripes to some extent!! 






Now, don't get me wrong. I have nothing against any of these companies or any of this clothing. I really like the look on other people. I personally feel odd wearing it. It is weird and I don't really understand it. I was curious if anyone else was like this.



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4 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 7, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    I definitely know what you mean! There are certain fabrics and looks that I love, but for some reason, I don't feel like I can pull them off because I can't make them my own. When I see them on other people, they've added some tiny detail and I think it looks wonderful. But at least for me, I think it's because I don't feel confident in creating something original. Hang on to your "cliche" fabric because inspiration will strike and then you'll be glad you have it!

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  2. UnknownAugust 10, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    I know exactly what you mean! I feel very much the same. Can I wear the expected prints and styles without looking too cliche?! It can feel too "fancy dress" too. Whereas real vintage is so much more unique!

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  3. Witchcrafted LifeAugust 29, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    I'm a firm believer in wearing whatever makes you happy. If that means sporting the same thing as a million other people, go for it. If it means having a style all your own and eschewing common trends, fabrics, styles, etc, that's fabulous, too. While certain patterns and garments do certainly call to mind a rockabilly or retro (more than full on genuine vintage) vibe, it's worth remembering that all of those patterns existed back during the 40s and, often moreover, the 50s. I've seen lots of cherry (and other fruit) print dresses from the fifties, and of course gingham, leopard, and polka dots (and nautical styles) were around then, too. The key, I find (as someone who has nothing against the rockabilly style, of course, but doesn't feel it suits me well personally) is to wear the patterns you love in more period appropriate looks. A leopard beret, for example, with black 1940s skirt suit. A small polka dot (or Swiss dot) print 1950s shirtwaist dress instead of bigger, retro-y polka dots. There's no right or wrong way to dress, just the way that brings you joy and you feel most comfortable with.

    ♥ Jessica

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    Replies
    1. BrandyAugust 29, 2013 at 5:27 PM

      I agree completely on wearing what makes you happy no matter how many other people are/ are not wearing it. Which is why it makes me feel so weird that I do not feel comfortable in these styles. As you said they did exist in the 40s and 50s. With the cherry dress, I just don't feel like myself in it. It feels costume-y to me for some reason. I am trying to let it grow on me. There are other things that were popular that I just don't care for in vintage clothes though, like peplums. I am okay with only wearing what I like and feel comfortable in. I like your idea about adding the beret or such. I actually do have a few leopard scarfs that I really like to wear and I love Swiss dot prints!

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