How to be a Female Vintage Enthusiast in Today's Generation

Yes, doesn't it feel great to be able to access vintage items while keeping up with the times? Doesn't it feel great to live life much easier with computers, stereos, fast transport, phones and HD Television? Isn't it lovely to be living in a more open and accepting society than was before?

Yes, as a vintage enthusiast myself, I do consider being very privileged to be able to live in a more technologically advanced society than in the past. Life is easier isn't it? The problem is that we might not always find it easy to fit in to society or be accepted.

Let's take it from my experience. One day, back when I was 16 years old in theatre class, our teacher sat my classmates and I in a circle. I don't recall if it was during the beginning or ending of class but I remember talking about our futures with one another. My friend said that she would rather have a child or two and work full-time. However, I said I would like to have three or four children and possible become a stay-at-home mother if necessary. Now this statement immediately made my peers doubtful and surprised. They knew by then that I was a huge fan of Old Hollywood and the vintage lifestyle and with a remark, immediately directed it to that love. They remarked that my thoughts were controversial and unjust, that women have rights and should not be restricted to homemaking and childbearing. They stated that I was too old-fashioned and wasn't thinking fairly of gender positions. I wasn't angered at their statement at the time but upon reminiscing about it, I have thought over what may have led to their statement.

As a vintage enthusiast, I value the lifestyle of the past--particularly in the Edwardian era then skipping into the 1940s-1960s. In further detail, I admire the fashion, makeup, hairstyles, music, movies, cars, peacefulness, inexpensiveness, speech, manner and interior design of the time. So yes, I held and still hold particular values considered old-fashioned but I did not and still do not agree with certain values and views of the time.

As delinquents, we are taught certain events in history or are able to view those certain events online or on television. I, myself have done so and have seen many historical events and views that conflict with today's values. In class, we learn about the Brown vs. Board of Education court case of May 17, 1954 where the court declared the establishment of separate public schools for black and white students as unconstitutional. We learn about the civil war and how the Confederates in the South fought against the Yankees in the North in the case of slavery. We learn about the KKK, the lynching of Blacks and the indentured slaves of the 17th Century. We learn about how Blacks were declared as 3/4th a person. We learn about the suffragettes and how they fought for women's right to vote in the late Edwardian era to the jazz age. We watched videos and read texts about the Holocaust, the second world war and the internment camps for the Japanese. We were also taught about the gay rights movements and the feminist movements of the 60s and 70s. History has had it's flaws, many of whom are still considered horrendous to this day. However, there are certain parts of the decades of which these events occurred that were full of grace, manner, simplicity, compassion and modesty that are lacking or taken for granted today.

Back in the day, it was common for both men and women to dress in modest clothes that conveyed elegance and class. It was popular for women to wear makeup that merely enhanced their features without too much product. Clothes of the day were made mostly by hand, therefore, showing longevity and good quality to this day. Men were told to court the lady--to make an effort so pleasing that the most reluctant lady would give in. People of all ages, particularly adolescents went to drive-in movies and dances, and hung out at diners or parks with friends every week, or walked to and fro without the need of riding a bus. Children even played outside instead of staying home in front of an electronic all day! Both men and women were taught to speak with eloquence and manner indicating friendliness and class, and music of the time expressed great love and sorrow, happiness or elaborated on social issues through swing, jazz, musicals, orchestras, or acoustics!

Today's society lacks many of these aspects. More people seem to only live life through their phone or computer rather than attend social gatherings or read books or newspapers. Colloquial among the youth or millennials is more common, women are beginning to dress in more revealing outfits, music is becoming louder and more about sex, drugs, alcohol and swearing; children are learning and playing through iPads more often than mingling with other children around the neighborhood or exploring the nature around them, women are wearing heavier makeup, and the hookup culture is higher than ever...many even say that "chivalry is dead".

As a vintage enthusiast, I value those manners and lifestyles that are lacking today not only because of my enthusiasm in the vintage lifestyle but because those were the values that made life back then much simpler, compassionate and gratifying.

I am aware that many people may assume my views are unjust because of certain events in history. I am aware that feminists might misinterpret my views and think I am still giving in to hierarchy. I am aware that some LGBTQ's might assume I am homophobic. I am aware that certain people of colour may assume I am whitewashed or unaccepting of my Asian heritage, I am aware that certain people might say my values are too boring or elderly, and some might even stare and laugh at the way I dress because it is not the norm-- but vintage enthusiasts are people too, people who just happen to have slightly different views or interests just as those of different races, genders, classes, etc.

We all just want to be accepted and have as much eagerness to make the world a better place as others do. So my advice on how to live a vintage lifestyle in today's generation.....?

Reason, Love and Continue doing your thing!