Wearing Vintage (Or Alternative Style) vs. a Costume
The majority of vintage wearers have, in their lifetime of wearing vintage, experienced various reactions from members of the general public. Sometimes these reactions can be simply genuine curiosity at an obviously different fashion choice, and sometimes, unfortunately, it can be negative. Probably one of the most universally asked questions, is “Are you wearing a costume?” or something to that effect. In my case (several years ago) it was, “So you are dressed like this . . . why?” – implying that there had to be some kind of external reason as to why I was wearing that 1950’s hat, fur collar, wool coat and high heeled pumps.
My answer: “Because I like it.”
Many people seem to think that anyone who dresses outside of the societal norm, simply must be wearing a costume. Someone wouldn’t be wearing a hat and gloves and a dress like, for real, would they?
I’ve been thinking about this lately, and trying to figure out my thoughts about it. I would suggest that, while I don’t really like the term “costume”, to some extent, anyone who dresses outside of the mainstream, is in fact putting on some sort of specific persona. It is easy to dress in the fashions of the day (look in every store and you’ll find some kind of iteration of the trends) but it is a conscious choice to dress differently than every one else. Whether you are wearing vintage style, goth, rockabilly or any other alternative style, you are saying something about yourself to those who see you.
So what is the difference between dressing in a so called “alternative style” or wearing a costume anyways?
After much thought (OK actually not that much thought, but some discussion with my mom!), I think it all comes down to your reason for wearing it.
How we choose to dress, tells a story about us. Your clothes can tell people, “I’m a rebel”, “I want to blend in”, “I want to be different” or even simply “I like old stuff”.
If someone were to look at me, they might not be surprised to learn that I also like classic novels, painting, antique furniture and old houses. My clothing has given them a glimpse into what kind of person I am; or at least the image that I want to present to the world.
Choosing to dress differently does raise questions, though, and like I said the most common one is, why are you wearing a costume?
A costume is something that is worn for a specific purpose, for a specific time and place, and it is not worn, usually, outside of that event. It is not a reflection of the person who wears it, because the person who is wearing it, has put on a mask, either literally or figuratively.
Wearing vintage, or another alternative style, though, is a lifestyle. At least it is for me, and many others. The decision to wear vintage style, as your “regular” clothes changes it from being a costume that you put on only at certain times, to being an expression of your own style personality. You don’t have to wear vintage 24/7 either, in order for it to not be a costume for you. While it might be a putting on of a persona, it is also a reflection of your own style and personality. To those people who question you, it is a costume to them, because they can’t imagine themselves wearing it; it is foreign and uncommon. To many people it is unheard of that these could be your “real” and “normal” clothes. (But, what is normal anyways?)
When I, and many others, wear vintage styles we are not just trying to be different. There are plenty of styles I could wear that would achieve the same purpose, but would definitely not be “me”. Wearing Steampunk is probably very fun- but it’s not something I would personally choose to do!
And you know what? I sometimes put together an outfit which I think looks great in my head, and doesn’t really come out that way when I wear it. Something is just not right with it, and so it does end up feeling a bit like a costume. This outfit here is one example of an outfit that came out as just too much. To me personally, I would like to stress. Even though others might think, “that’s so you- it’s got a vintage touch, pearls and a hat”- to me, this was a costume.
I look at this outfit, and I know that I was playing dress up. (Which I was; we just wanted to experiment with taking photos in this location, so I grabbed a few things and threw them on) I would never wear this outfit in real life; the twill trousers are far too casual to be wearing with this hat and blouse, and the hat doesn’t go with anything. If I were to tweak this into an actual outfit, I would pair the blouse with navy blue wool trousers or a skirt, my camel coloured blazer to coordinate with the hat, and I would probably take off the long strings of pearls replacing them with a single strand. That’s just me. Someone else might wear this, and they’d love it!
Ultimately, each person must decide for themselves what the line is between “different” and “costume”. Fashion is supposed to be fun, so if you feel like wearing a costume out and about, there’s no one stopping you! Sometimes you just want to dress up! But, if you are trying to determine whether something is clothing for you or whether it’s a costume, here are some questions you could ask yourself:
- Do you feel more confident wearing this outfit?
- Are you constantly thinking about what people are thinking about your outfit? I’m not talking about shyness, and sometimes feeling a little awkward because you look different. I mean: are you completely uncomfortable because all you can think about is what other people are thinking of your outfit?
- Are you absorbed with your outfit and fussing with it constantly? Aka- you don’t actually feel comfortable wearing it. Once you put on an outfit, you should not be preoccupied with it, if it’s just clothes.
- Is it an expression of things that you like? Or are you wearing it simply because it’s “vintage”, but not because you actually like it?
- Are you just waiting for the moment you can get home and change into something else?
- Are you drawn to a certain era or style, but this outfit is just too much? For example, someone might wear 1920’s styles, but they might not dress completely like a flapper with a headband, pearls, fringed dress and all.
- Do you enjoy wearing this? Is it fun for you? Is it the right expression of your personality? For the same reason I wouldn’t dress goth, you might not want to dress a certain way either.
Well, I hope that these thoughts may have helped you to think through what defines costume vs. style for you.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this- have you ever been asked if you were wearing a costume?
What do you think is the difference between wearing a costume or just regular clothes?
November 9, 2017 @ 4:04 pm
I would never think that vintage clothing is a costume. Some of the modern clothes look more similar to costumes.
Marilyn
November 10, 2017 @ 11:39 pm
I’m glad to hear that Marilyn, as I don’t think it is either 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting!
November 9, 2017 @ 7:57 pm
I really enjoyed this post.
I often write about having our clothes express something about ourselves from afar. Clothes are a walking advertisement of our personality. Hopefully they convey what we want them to say.
I’ve never been asked if I’m wearing a costume, thank heavens! I think I would be offended and it would make me think that somehow I missed my mark when choosing my outfit or I didn’t feel 100% confident when I wore it.
Confidence is key to being able to wear whatever you like, no matter the era.
My friend Melanie of Bag and a Beret gets away with wearing anything all the time. Literally, she can wear PJs, a wig and some crazy huge glasses and people will still come up to her and compliment her on her outfit choice. The reason? She owns it. No matter what. She’s a good actress too so even if she might not be “feeling it” that day she still acts like it.
Suzanne
November 10, 2017 @ 11:43 pm
You are so right- confidence to wear what you want to is what matters! I would definitely agree that clothes are a sort of walking advertisement!
I am glad to hear too, that not all vintage wearers have been asked this question. I wonder if it has anything to do with where you live? Someone in a city might not “stand out” as much as in a small town?
Thanks so much for reading and commenting Suzanne!
November 9, 2017 @ 9:02 pm
I actually haven’t been asked if I was wearing a costume while in vintage, but I did get it years ago, when I would dress Lolita style. I don’t really mind the question, and I don’t always think of “costumey” as a bad thing. I do tend to put outfits together with a particular persona in mind, and I don’t really feel the discomfort that you mention. Honestly, I tend to feel uncomfortable when I’m dressed like everyone else! It just doesn’t feel like me anymore.
November 10, 2017 @ 11:45 pm
I love that you put together outfits with a persona in mind. That’s the fun thing about fashion- you have the ability to craft any sort of idea you want to!
And I totally agree- I was wearing “modern” clothes today while doing some construction work, but I felt awkward to go anywhere else wearing that, lest people get the wrong impression of me 😉
November 10, 2017 @ 3:12 am
Some really interesting thoughts, Nicole! When trying to draw inspiration from the fashion choices of others, I often have to ask myself “Do I just admire this look, or do I actually want to wear it?” For me, being shy and not particularly confident about clothing and my style, it’s important to find what feels really right and brings added confidence. But for other people, fashion *is* just playing dress up all the time, and I think that’s really cool too. We should all find time to dress up, I think, even if we don’t translate it into our everyday wardrobe. For example, I really love this outfit on you, and I’m glad you wore it for the photos, even if it is just a costume to you. When I take photos of my hats on myself (I do prefer to be behind the camera but it’s not always convenient!), I have a lot of fun putting together outfits that I wouldn’t regularly wear and having fun prancing around in them! 🙂
November 10, 2017 @ 11:48 pm
Thanks Tanith!
That’s exactly what I was trying to get at- we each need to decide what we are comfortable with, and what want to portray with our clothing.
I love dressing up- and I’m so glad that you get to have fun dressing up for your photo shoots too!
November 10, 2017 @ 4:35 am
The thoughts you have so eloquently expressed in this post mirror my own recent consideration of why I dress the way I do. I usually wear either vintage, vintage-style, or vintage-inspired outfits. I haven’t always dressed this way – for most of my adult life I wore completely mainstream styles – but as I got older, I stopped caring so much about what people thought of me, and finally felt free to wear what I really liked. I’ve always felt different somehow, and it’s actually rather a relief to finally dress differently too; to dress in a way that expresses who I am. Rather than my clothes being at odds with my personality, they finally reflect the real me.
Like everyone, there are different sides to my personality, and so I do have slightly differing style ‘personas’. My work persona is actually a more individualistic version of me than the one I present socially, where I usually introduce some more relaxed, contemporary elements: jeans and a vintage or retro top, for example, instead of a full-on vintage-inspired ensemble, complete with full skirt, heels and accessories. It all feels so much more like ‘me’ though than any of the trends I used to wear.
I’m quite self-conscious by nature, so I am very aware that I dress in an unusual way. My husband doesn’t really like it, and I do get some curious looks (in the UK strangers are unlikely to question or criticize your outfit!), although sometimes I receive compliments. But, I do feel more confident, more comfortable, and more alive somehow. My style feels right, it feels like home, it brings me joy; and that’s what matters, not anyone else’s opinion.
November 10, 2017 @ 11:54 pm
I loved reading your comment, Fran, about how you feel like you have finally found the “you” in how you dress, and how it brings you so much enjoyment! Fashion really should be fun- and you should make it work for you, not the other way around. I like how you also brought up the point of being able to dress in different “personas” at different times, depending on the situation.
I’m glad that you haven’t gotten much negative opinion from people (I haven’t either, aside from the one strange time I mentioned in this post), and I hope you continue to enjoy dressing in your own unique style no matter the looks people give you!
Thanks so much for reading this post, and taking the time to comment too!
November 10, 2017 @ 6:28 am
I also wonder if the level of formality of an outfit makes people assume ‘costume’ faster. I think very informal clothing is the norm in most places in the world now, so seeing someone in a dress or with a long skirt, or even just wearing heels or jewelry prompts the question, why is that person dressed up? (Especially if they are not rich or working in the fashion industry.) And if the clothing is easily recognizable as being from a different era, many people leap to the conclusion—costume—-without thinking about it further. While I don’t wish for formality to be pressed on anyone that doesn’t want it, sometimes I feel like the negative attention we get when we dress nicely in our favorite clothes may show that the reverse is taking place. . . Although sometimes there are positive comments, too, by other people who enjoy more unusual and lovely clothes.
Thank you for your thoughtful discussion of one of the more common questions those of us who like to dress differently often get asked. I will have to think about it some more, because it is a reaction that often puzzles me. We all wear costumes of one sort or another. Shouldn’t they fit our personality rather than someone else’s?
November 11, 2017 @ 12:00 am
You are absolutely right! I have definitely gotten more attention (mostly good, I hasten to add, except the one strange time I mentioned in this post) when I wearing “dressy” clothes, than when I wear “casual” vintage styles. I think that our North American culture is just not used to seeing women in dresses and skirts! When I visited the UK a few years ago, I saw lots of women wearing dresses though, so maybe it is not as uncommon there?
I definitely think that we all wear a costume of some sort too- even those who dress more mainstream. What is it that makes one person choose to wear one pair of pants over the other? They too are saying something with their clothing choices, even if that voice may not be as loud.
Thank-you so much for reading this post and for adding your voice to the discussion! 🙂
November 13, 2017 @ 1:07 am
Very interesting post! Playing dress-up is my whole approach to what I wear, like dressing Sindy up. I think ‘how do I feel today?’ and ‘what’ s the weather like? ‘ and go from there. I adore your outfit by the way and don’t think it costumey. Xx
November 13, 2017 @ 9:34 pm
Thanks Porcelina ♥ I think if I just tweaked the outfit- not wearing such casual trousers, and adding a blazer or jacket of some sort, I would wear it!
I love how you ask yourself that question, and always end up with such a variety of styles- from the 20’s to the 70’s and everything in between! I can really tell from your outfit posts that you find such enjoyment in fashion!
November 13, 2017 @ 9:09 am
I’ve never been one to dress “normally” so generally don’t take much notice of what people say about what I’m wearing. However, I do tend to dress according to where I’m going. For instance, I wouldn’t do the sort of full on top to toe vintage outfit to go to work or the supermarket, but I always do for vintage events. But then that’s how people back then wore their own clothes, women didn’t wear their Sunday best to go shopping, so I wouldn’t be comfortable doing it. xx
November 13, 2017 @ 9:31 pm
Very good points, Cate, about dressing for what you are doing! I do think that it is when I am not dressed appropriately for the circumstances, that I feel more like I’m in a costume. On another note- you must have so much fun going all out for vintage events!
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment!
November 16, 2017 @ 7:53 pm
This is fabulously insightful and I relate so much to your comments. I wear vintage hats and clothes every day at work in my retail sales job. The response is (like you) overall very positive, but I have received the costume assumption, been asked if my hat-wearing is religiously-based and fielded generally puzzled questions from unsupportive people. They are thankfully in the minority. I reply with a broad smile and succinctly explain my love of vintage fashion, music and movies and then share that I have a huge hat collection and wear a different one each day. The questioners feel better that I respond with such calm and it usually leads to them telling me a story of how I remind them of their mom or grandmom – which I actually love hearing.
It’s funny how comfortable I’ve become wearing hats now. I often forget I have them on and only remember when someone compliments it or looks at me funny. 😉
Also – your outfit does not seem “costume-y” at all to me. I get your point that it’s too much for your personal style, though. I do the same thing of putting an outfit together, being certain I’ll love it and then when I see it as a whole, it’s too much.
Thank you for the great discussion!
November 18, 2017 @ 10:25 am
That’s so good that you feel comfortable enough in hats to forget that you are wearing them- that is exactly what makes it an outfit for you, and not a costume. It’s now just a part of “you”!
I always love it when people tell me that I remind them of their mom or older ladies telling me “I used to dress like that” too 🙂
Thanks so much for reading and adding your voice to the discussion! ♥
November 26, 2017 @ 10:50 pm
This! All of this! These are all wonderful points!
I have been told “Nice costume” more times than I have been asked if I was wearing a costume. And I have been asked “Are you in a play?” many more times as well. So odd!
For me the difference between a costume and regular clothes are the following: “Would I wear this regularly?” If the answer is “yes” then it’s not a costume. “Is this manner of dress normal for someone else?” If they answer is “yes” then it’s not a costume. Now, of course there are exceptions. Some people dress in Victorian and Edwardian clothing on a regular basis, though they are of course few and far between, but they exist. But others may don Victorian or Edwardian clothing for a specific event, such as a tea, picnic, etc. and so while not a costume, it slightly fits the bill. I suppose a “special occasion” outfit? Like for example I went to a tea that was Edwardian themed, and made a dress for the occasion. It felt one part costume, but one part totally normal. So it was a fine line. Additionally, more often than not my costumes are depictions of specific characters. Of course sometimes their outfits are very similar to garments I would wear regularly.
xoxo
-Janey
December 1, 2017 @ 10:15 am
So glad you enjoyed the post Janey! And yes- that is exactly it- once it is something you wear all the time it isn’t really a costume anymore. I mean, you could wear a Disney princess costume every day, and at some point it would cease being a costume, and just be your regular clothes.