Has anyone watched the BBC program “Call the Midwife”? I saw the first six episodes on DVD the other day and loved it. I won’t give out any spoilers, but I must say that the clothing is gorgeous ~ showing a blend in fashions as style crosses over from 1940s to the 1950s “New Look” {I believe the series is set in the early 50s}, and the story telling of life in those days really is lovely.
There’s tragedy and drama, to be sure, but also a very strong theme of love, life, and duty which I find very uplifting. I do so hate it when you watch period t.v. or movies that only focus on the grotty “shock” factors of those times ~ like extra marital affairs, babies out of wedlock, and the like. I find it kind of annoying personally, because I tend to watch those shows or movies precisely for their “old fashioned” values!
Yes, there were such goings on back in those times, I don’t deny that, but I also think that values back then were hugely different from today, and that’s one thing that I find very strongly influencing and shaping my appreciation of the past.
My love of vintage fashion is most definitely tied to my love of the values and ideals found back then. No, they weren’t all perfect, I am the first to admit that ~ there were many attitudes that were wrong, even as there were many that were right. I do feel however, that the attitudes of selfless duty and love that many people had, and thusly acted on ~ just because it was the right thing to do ~ were good ones. Ones that have really been lost today, much to society’s detriment.
We are so caught up in seeking out our own pleasures that the thought of doing something for others, or even our community and country, at great cost to ourselves is often a foreign one, and at times I feel that it is sorely missed. I’m not saying that those attitudes and actions would solve all our problems, but I do feel that in many cases it could help, if not prevent, the problems from occurring.
That being said, I do enjoy and appreciate the freedoms of the century I live in, and I am glad for the ability to choose which parts of the past I want to admire and emulate, even as I can choose which parts of the present I can admire and emulate. There is much to be said for the freedom of personal choice, though as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. (◕‿◕｡)
I should probably finish off now, before this turns into a massive dissertation {kudos for getting this far!}, but I am curious ~ what do you think? Are the values of the 1950s, and further back, as worth while keeping as the clothing is? Do those values affect you at all, or are they irrelevant? I know a lot of vintage life stylists do get into the whole “Make Do and Mend” way of thinking, but as vintage enthusiasts, how much is too much in allowing the past to influence your ideology and attitudes?
xox,
bonita
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Dear Daisy Blue Dress ~ Made by Me, 2012 Pastel Yarn Comb ~ Made by Me, tutorial here Gladys Owl Broach ~ Acorn and Will Jade Bracelets ~ Hong Kong ‘08 & Thrifted Polka Bow Wedges ~ Big W, ‘11
Great post - and you look just lovely! I really appreciate modern times and while there are some things that look great about the 50's, (in my opinion) it really is just looking through rose coloured cats eye glasses. As a truly modern woman who happens to love vintage clothing and old movies, I really don't have any desire for times to be more like they were (or like we think they were). I am happy to take lessons from the past - I am trying a lot harder to take care of the things I own and fix them rather than throwing them out just because it's cheap and easy to replace them. I am interested in etiquette and the social rules and finding ways to implement them into my life so I become a better person but for me that's about as far as it goes. I am grateful for the choice we have and that includes the choice others have to delve deeper into the vintage lifestyle. For me it's mainly about pretty clothes and appreciating just how good we have it now.
ReplyDeleteLovely post and photographs, dear Bonita. You look so immensely pretty! I completely agree with you, and have always felt the same way too, when it comes to your interest in the past being tied to how you feel about the values/morals of that era.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
Great post and you are looking fabulous. Like you my love of vintage fashion is definitely tied to the values and ideals of the era. Being a 'baby boomer' (giving away my age here lol.) I experienced many of these values and think our world would be a better place if we could see a return to some of them. Doing a thing because it was 'the right thing to do' is something I value strongly. And I grew up with a make do and mend mentality - my mother would refashion her old clothes for my siblings and I. Although I appreciate modern times this is what I know and love and try to incorporate them into my daily life.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with you Shelly, I think that we really could see an improvement in today's society if we learned from the past rather than dismissing it as old fashioned... :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's sort of something you can't escape really ~ if you are interested in one aspect of the past, most often you need to at least consider the other components that contribute to the bit you are interested in ~ even if it is just the clothes!
ReplyDeleteQuite true, I do agree that it is better to be living in our times and being able to choose is something to be greatly appreciated, and I for one would not trade it for all the chances to go back and live in the past!
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