Vintage Q & A

Vintage Q & A (Borrowed from Mariela of A Girl of Many Interests)

 

1. Who are your style icons?

I'd have to say that my first style icon growing up was my grandma.  I remember gazing at old photos she had up around the house and always asking "Do you still have that" (not a dumb question in my family as it seems hereditary to hold onto everything). I've always been enchanted with film fashion.  My all time favorite film designer is Edith Head.  I can't tell you how many times I have watched the movie "What A Way To Go" just to marvel and gaze in wonder at all of the beautiful costumes and dresses throughout the film.  (Thanks to my mom for having me watch this film).

 

2. What is your favorite way to get inspired?

Lately my favorite inspiration for vintage hair and make up styling is through the plethora of YouTube tutorial videos.  I honestly learned how to use my hot rollers just a few years back thanks to YouTube!  CherryDollFace has some great ones such as the one below.

 

3. What's your most-used hair tool?

I use my hot rollers for most of my hair styles.  I however don't know what I'd do without bobby pins!!

 

4. What's your favorite hair tool?

 See response to question 3.

5. Up do, down, or half-and-half?

All three please.  I try to rotate out my hair styles weekly.  It also depends on my mood.  Usually I'm in a lazy mood if my hair is up as that's easiest for my crazy frizzy head of hair. Wearing it down with curls entails some effort and half and half takes some time and patience for sure.  


6. Is vintage something you do every day, on weekends, or for special occasions?

I try to incorporate something vintage into my outfits on a daily basis.  Yesterday it was a vintage sweater, today it's vintage jewelry, etc…I don't own enough to wear it fully daily and I would be too concerned about ruining and wearing out the clothes if I wore them too often.  Most of my newer clothes do however have a vintage flair to them.

7. What's your favorite blush and lipstick?

I suppose I’m lucky enough that I blush very easily therefore not requiring me to wear blush.  I usually only put it on when I'm truly doing up my face up with make up for an important event.  My favorite lipstick is Brick-o-la by MAC.  It lasts long, doesn’t completely dry my lips out, and has a nice neutral red tone.

 

8. Dress, skirt, or pants? Heels or flats?

I'd say 80 percent of the time I dress up; I work in an office.  Jeans and other casual attire are reserved for when I’m home after work or on a day off.  I love dresses and own way more than should be owned by one person.  I love flats but do wear kitten heels on occasion as well.  Anything taller than and inch to an inch and a half is too tall for me.  I suppose I can blame that on my bad balance and acute vertigo issues.

9. Off-the-rack or homemade?

Oh how I wish I knew how to sew an outfit together.  I do well with mending but I'm completely unknowledgeable otherwise.  I do have some patterns I would like made and will likely pay someone to do so in the future.  It's definitely a dying art and I'm ashamed I didn't take more of an interest in sewing when my mom attempted to show me.  What a stubborn brat I was…

10. Do you swing dance?

Still working on doing this with Dave.  He just finished this semester of classes and we have plans to attend a class really soon!  My goal is to be able swing dance by our wedding.

 

11. Extreme vintage or subtle touches?

See response to number 6. 

12. Favorite perfume?

I love DKNY Be Delicious.  I get compliments and asked what I'm wearing all the time.  It's a subtle fruity yet citrus scent and still soft at the same time.  I've been wanting to try something new but haven't found anything that compares to it.

13. Favorite skincare product?

I swear by using Nivea cream.  I dab a little under my eyes, forehead, and crows feet area every morning and have done so for the past 15 years.  I swear this is why I don't have nearly as many wrinkles as I should have in my age.  I'm sure that is also due to good genes (thanks dad!).

14. What does your family think of your style?

They have totally embraced it.   My grandmother is my number one fan and has just as much fun helping me add to my collection.  Nothing is more flattering knowing someone saw something, thought of you, and made a point to share it with you. 

 

15. Favorite accessory?

 Well, number one favorite is my engagement ring of course.  I wear it everyday and have felt out of sorts on the occasion that I forgot to put it on before leaving the house for work.  Other than the beautiful ring Dave hand picked for me, I'd say having a cute vintage purse to complete an outfit is always my icing on the cake.  I just recently bought my first Lucite purse as a gift to myself for completing yet another hectic tax season.

16. Do you find the vintage community welcoming or snobby?

 I think there are definitely some people who are really, really into vintage but I don't think there is anything wrong with that personally.  Negative people exist in all social circles.  You just have to kill them with kindness and have a little patience and sympathy for their plight.  I've met a ton of cool and nice people so far and it's awesome to have made new friends that you can relate with, especially in loving all things vintage.

 

17. What drew you to vintage style?

 I think it is a mix of being handed down to me by various relatives and my dad's influences.  I love receiving vintage items that have a story.  Especially if they were owned by someone in the family.  My great aunt Lucille was a huge shopper in her time and left behind tons of treasures.  I wish I could have met her as I think she and I would have a ton to talk about and relate to; being that we are both shopaholics. 

My musical interests and love of film noir I owe entirely to my dad.  He earned a degree in film directing which means we had a video camera in our faces pretty much from day one and were introduced to all sorts of classic film at an early age.  His vinyl collection and obsession with The Beatles has definitely curved my musical interests.  I think my favorite record that he played for me when I was younger was the American Graffiti soundtrack.  He would always make me laugh with his dance to Track one "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets.  To this day that is all I picture when I hear that song, followed by an instant smile.

 

 

18. Favorite places to shop vintage?

 Well thrift stores are number one.  I love the thrill of the hunt and finding something for nothing is always rewarding.  If I'm looking for something specific I usually stick to using Etsy or Ebay.  If I want a good deal on vintage I go to Frock You Vintage which is local here in San Diego.  Their bi-monthly sale is killer. 

 

19. What vintage eras are your favorite?

 1920's through 1960's.  I love the beaded detailing that was popular on dresses of the 1920's.  The 1930's brought the lovely silk dress designs in ladies fashion.  I love the waterfall designed furniture from this era as well.  The 1940's brought the incredible hairstyles including victory rolls and bumper bangs.  The 1950's brought the mid century and space age designs in furniture that I'm also a huge fan of.  The 1960's brought the sexual revolution that has been the basis for many of our freedoms available today.  We still have a lot to work on but it was a very exciting time for our country.  I guess I love collecting the tiki items that came from this era.  It's pretty darn hard to pass on some of the tropical flower power dresses I see while thrifting.  Just passed up on one recently and have an inkling of buyers remorse (so silly!!).

20. Most glamorous film stars?

 There were and are several!!  This is tough to narrow it to a favorite. Skip please. 


21. Favorite vintage object that you own?

Gees….well I have thought of a way to answer this by creating categories.

 Furniture - My 1930's fan back chair.  I purchased this in a mom and pop thrift store just over a year ago.  I'm sure you have seen it in the background of several of my pictures here on the blog.  I do have plans to get it professionally upholstered this summer.

 

Clothing item - My wooden wedges (era unknown).  My grandmother gave these to me years ago when I was in sixth grade.  They were shoes that she found at a church rummage sale.  My sister and I fought for years over who got to wear them but they eventually ended up in my possession.  I don't wear them that often as they have become more fragile over the years.  I had the bottom pads replace a few years back as the original ones had come loose.  The last time I wore them was when we went to lounge by the pool at the Viva Las Vegas Weekender.

Purse - I'd have to say my newest addition (see question 15) is my favorite.

Piece of Jewelry - My vintage engagement ring from Dave of course.

Knick Knack - Stockton Islander Tiki mug.  It's one of my most treasured tiki mugs as it belonged to my grandfather on my mom's side of the family.  I believe that he and my grandma were frequenters of the bar in the 1960's. 

 

Till' Next Time,

 

Suz