It's not what it used to be

Call me a vintage snob. I will proudly admit that I am one. I have a fairly large collection of vintage clothing dating from the late 1920s to early 1950s. I've researched the patterns, designs and manufacturing of vintage clothing so that I know I'm getting a real vintage piece whenever I shop. I avoid online retailers in favor of antique/vintage fairs because I can study the clothing and try them on for size. However I choose to dress, I make sure to wear the accompanying make-up and hairstyle of its respective era.  Here's an example:

Authentic 30s dress, oxfords, hair clip. 30s style MUAH

These efforts require commitment and what I've noticed about those claiming a Rockabilly (RAB) lifestyle is that most won't put forth the effort and will rely on "repros" (mass produced reproduction clothing). After having attended some local Rockabilly (RAB) shows, I'm very disappointed on what the genre has become. At the same time, it's quite humorous to see folks trying so hard to look 50s who utterly fail in their attempts and proceed to criticize others who do it right.

Companies like Stop Staring, Rock Steady, Trashy Diva, Revamp, (and now Bettie Page clothing), etc began reproducing the vintage styles en masse. While these companies can certainly be credited for reintroducing the styles to a younger generation, it has done more harm than good for the vintage aficionado. Those of us who do appreciate and respect the diverse eras of yesteryear are often shrugged off as snobs. They just don't get it.

These 20-somethings have crashed a scene (or two) and created a hodgepodge of different eras and proudly labeled it Rockabilly. They've mixed about 50 years of fashion and culture into one abomination.  It isn't a lifestyle for them but a hobby in which they collect all things old without respecting its value. Membership in their scene consists of tattoos, black hair (slicked or pomped for the guys and bangs or rolls for the girls), cuffed jeans, repro dresses, a bad attitude and love of booze. Requirement number 1: Be an alcoholic. Requirement number 2: Be a total a-hole or b*tch.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy Rockabilly. It's a music genre that I enjoy listening to as well as late 19th century popular, fox trot, classic big band/jazz, jump blues, classic country, Rock-n-Roll, DooWop, and finally, 80s New Wave. Somehow, though, someone hijacked the music genre and made it a wardrobe faux pas purchasing low-end, high priced repros to try to look more authentic. That's all well and good, but here's the problem; it isn't authentic, nor is it creative.

This is what I've seen at various Rockabilly shows and VLV:

• Cuffed Jeans
• T-shirts (Lucky 13 seems to be the most popular)
• Converse shoes
• Motorcycle boots (and they don't ride motorcycles)
• Victory Rolls (This is WWII era!)
• Flower clips (also rooted in 40s fashion)
• Dramatically over made-up faces fit for a drag queen. 
• Leopard Prints
• Polka Dots
• Cherries
• Gingham
• Black and Red colors (exclusively)
• At least 25 girls wearing the EXACT SAME DRESS from Bettie Page Clothing.
• Pin-up girls (they actually wore more clothing and less make-up during its heyday)
• Tattoos with the following themes: cherries, swallows (often misidentified as sparrows), dice, pistons, classic cars, lady luck, flames, brass knuckles, rat finks, spider webs, nautical stars, microphones, anything alcohol related (esp. Pabst)
• Foul mouthed (especially the women)
• Jiving/Strolling/Bopping (learn another dance!)

About 10% of the crowd wears authentic vintage clothing, and it's this crowd who are the nicest individuals who truly appreciate vintage eras. They don't describe themselves as a specific scene or era. They, too, shake their heads at these Rockasillies.

A while back, I came upon this youtube video mocking the culture. Rather, mocking posers who claim a "rockabilly lifestyle". I think it's a perfect fitting to end this post. Most readers who find themselves nodding as they read this will find the video humorous. Those who take offense to it are probably the very people I'm criticizing in this post. Relax, take a look at your repro wardrobe, trash it and start over. No one is telling you to stop trying to live a bygone era. Just do it right.

April's Getaway: Los Angeles

Back in February, I posted about making quick getaways from San Francisco life (thanks to my friend Jean who encouraged me to make weekend trips at least once a month just to relax and clear my head.) In March, I took a trip to (and blogged about) Santa Cruz.

April's getaway was meant to be a trip to Folsom, CA where I could tour the area and attend its antique festival. The sole purpose was to find The Victrola Man, but since I had already found him and purchased a victrola from him at Alameda Antique Faire, I thought it best to cancel and reroute my trip. I decided to fly down to Los Angeles for the weekend.

Art Deco Airport

During my stay, I visited with my parents. They have the most peaceful house nestled in the hills. The only sounds are the humming birds, the wind chimes and rustling trees dancing in the breeze. We usually wander around in the backyard tending to the plants and chatting about random topics. Those are always my favorite moments with my parents; enjoying the morning with a warm cup of coffee and letting time pass us by. We drove down to Old Town Orange to dine at a Mexican restaurant that was once a church. It had the most beautiful stain glass. Afterward, we walked around Old Town browsing all the antique shops; another one of our favorite past times.

Old Town Orange

I spent Sunday with my brother at his loft in Downtown Los Angeles. My brother has always been the urban nightlife type of person whereas I tend to prefer quieter, peaceful environments (like HMB). Though he lives on the top floor (with spectacular views of DTLA), you can hear urban life quite clearly, especially all the sirens. I just smiled and sighed, "ah life in the big city." My brother sort of laughed to himself. Like San Francisco, DTLA has everything within walking distance. We had dinner at the Los Angeles Brewing Company while watching our L.A. Lakers take game 1 over the Spurs.

Relaxing with my hermanito

Downtown Los Angeles structures

After the game, we dressed up in our 1930s best and walked down to The Cicada Club. Each Sunday they have a weekly swing band and dance. On this particular Sunday, they had a Jive Aces and Satin Dolls collaboration. It was a classic jazz ensemble paired with a chorus girl act reminiscent of the prohibition era. I was pleasantly surprised to see some of my SoCal swing dance friends in attendance. It had been quite awhile since I last danced with them; at least 8 months. But it was like old times; only this time it was in classic Art Deco elegance.

I didn't get to do as much vintage shopping as I'd like. However, I finally got to patronize the Remix Vintage shop. I'm not too fond of buying clothing and shoes online because I prefer to try on an item before purchase. This is why I always stick to antique/vintage fairs for my purchases. I don't purchase reproduction clothing (I've amassed a large collection of vintage threads), but I do make exceptions for shoes especially when they're designed from authentic vintage styles. I've kept my eye on the "It Girl" shoes (a la Clara Bow) and they definitely cost a pretty penny. But they are oh so worth every cent I spent; perfect for collegiate shag dancing. I've strayed from wearing early 1950s attire in favor of 1920s-1940s (that will be another post for later). The It-Girl shoes are the classic 1920s style.

The "It-Girl" shoes.

The one thing I did not get to do was contact my tattoo artist for more work. I found a really great design, but I just didn't have the time to fit it in my ultra short schedule. Perhaps on my next visit (June?).

About the only downer of the trip was my return home to SF. As much as I abhor SoCal (I've become quite the NorCal girl), it does sadden me to leave my family. I have the greatest, most supportive and loving parents a person could have and it always pains me to say goodbye. But I know it's not the last of my visits. Thankfully my preferred airline always has fare sales. 

So that was my getaway for April. May's Getaway is still in the early planning stages. Stay tuned.

My newest (and greatest) vintage acquisition!

Though I'd been updating my previous post (Antique/Vintage Hunting) with my latest vintage finds, today's purchase needed to be a post of its own.

After many years of fawning over old gramophones at various antique flea markets, antique shops, estate sales sold for astronomically high prices, I finally FINALLY purchased one today at Alameda Pointe Antique Faire.

Let's start from the beginning...

I originally came across a seller (whom I nicknamed "The Victrola Man") back in January, but I didn't have the money at the time. He was an older gentleman who restored old gramophones. I asked if he often sold at Alameda.  He said that he lived in Sacramento so he didn't always sell there every month. I told him, "if it's meant to be, I'll find you again." Well, I wanted it to definitely be. For the past three months, I drove to antique fairs in Sacramento, Concord, Santa Cruz, Alameda (again and again), Treasure Island and Cow Palace. I had no luck; not even in his hometown! Even though there were other sellers who had gramophones, the Victrola man would add extra needles and about thirty 78s; all for a relatively low price. Plus, Victrola was (and is) THE brand to own. No knockoffs, Edisons or RCAs for this vintage gal.

This morning, I met my friend for breakfast (Marti's Place has the best darn blueberry pancakes) and he asked, "what are we all looking for today?" I immediately said, "I'm still on the hunt for Victrola Man. I want a Victrola." And of course, I had to stop and visit my vintage clothing seller (Tracy) who always provides me with 1920s-40s clothing and accessories.

I beelined toward Tracy's selling space, but, unfortunately, the 1930s dresses she bought had yet to arrive from Canada. I have to wait a few more weeks. She was sorry not to have any items for me this time around, but I took it all as a positive sign; less money to spend especially if I'd find the Victrola Man. So I walked toward the back of the market (as I always do) to weave around the selling spaces until I reached the front. I walked past five rows before I heard classic jazz music playing not from some satellite radio, but from a gramophone. I turned to my left and there was Mr. Victrola Man. He had five gramophones for sale; three of them were Victrolas. I was relieved to have finally found him and even told him that I had been searching for him for three months. He smiled and said, "well here I am."

One Victrola was marked sold, but he had two others to choose from or I can take the cheaper, some other brand named gramophones. Nope, I wanted the real thing. So I forked over the cash and told him that I'd be back with a cart to roll it away (it's surprisingly heavy). He asked what type of music I wanted. I answered, "anything I can dance to. I'm a swing dancer." He gave me thirty 78s. We shook hands before I departed with my Victrola.

I already had a space cleared for my Victor Talking Machine and I was all too eager to begin playing it. As I was listening to a few 78s, I decided to research its age. I Googled the the model and seriel numbers and learned that it was originally manufactured in 1912. It is 101 years old. Imagine that. Who would have ever thought that back in 1912 as someone was purchasing this machine for their home, it would still be playing music in someone's living room in 2013. Amazing.

Below are images of my newest antique purchase and a sampling of its playing (Toot Toot Tootsie by Al Jolson). 

Enjoy.

Purchased 4/7/13 at Alameda Antique Faire

Definitely a great addition in my living room.