Questions Answered

Thank you so much to everyone who sent in questions for me! Life got a bit busy, so it’s taken a bit longer to put this together, so sorry about that. With out any further ado… here are the questions and and answers.

Q: What a stunning lady you are and I love your feminine romantic style. My question to you is: do you usually bother with “foundation garments” as my mother would call them? I remember she felt that a lovely outfit required a “roll-on girdle” or “all in one bra/girdle” for her to feel and look her best. In recent years as I have gained weight, I remember her words but put them aside again when I consider just how hot our summers are here in Australia.
~Heather

A: This is a great question and my mother was very similar in her thoughts on the subject. I’ll have to say, it depends on the outfit. As a curvy gal there are some outfits that I’m just more comfortable in if I am wearing some sort of shape wear. I have different items for different silhouettes, such as corsets, girdles, longline bras (although I’m still searching for the perfect one), or shaper shorts to wear under trousers or tighter skirts/dresses. But I haven’t yet found the perfect item that feels comfortable to wear all day or that doesn’t smoosh and squish my soft parts into unfavorable directions.

I do wear a slip or slip shorts everyday. I love the feel of a slip and I feel it helps keep me cool in summer and warmer in the winter. My slip shorts are essential for me during the summer to avoid the dreaded “chub rub” and they work as another layer for modesty as well.

Q: Hi Christine! What first inspired you to wear Vintage? Were you a bit nervous about stepping out in your new Vintage Style? Did you start by wearing just a single vintages item or did you just go all the way with a complete outfit plus hair & make up?
Thanks
~Anita

A: Well I’ve been dressing in various versions of vintage style for over 25 years. My mother was a big inspiration for my general style. She was the most fabulous woman I’ve ever known and was always “put together”. She and I would go vintage and thrift shopping a lot in San Diego where I grew up. She was an actress/singer/performer and spent a lot of time with amazingly talented people in the entertainment industry. So that is what I grew up with. Later after my step-father passed away she met and dated a wonderful man who was a makeup artist for Warner Brothers Studios for almost 40 years. He was dear friends with some of the actors from Hollywood who I admired most from old films. I think being around that life and those people, really seeped into my soul.

I was never one to follow the crowd or fall into fashion trends, so I think I was always a little different from my school mates and friends. I always loved the styles of the 1930s and 1940s and collected old magazines to gain inspiration. I was about 16 when I really started dressing in vintage style “full time”. As I mentioned before, my mom and I loved thrifting and vintage shopping so I already had some items in my wardrobe and I guess I just kept going with it. I was always interested in makeup in general and started working as a makeup artist when I was 19 or 20. My hair took a lot longer to figure out (I’m still learning). As I have naturally curly hair it took a lot of trial and error to figure out what to do with it and how to manipulate my hair to create the vintage styles and silhouettes I longed for. 

As for feeling nervous about my style, no that never really manifested. Of course I feel uncomfortable when people stare at me and I HATE it when they try and sneak photos of me – if you ask I will mostly likely say yes, but at least ask to take my photo, it’s just common courtesy. But I think having my mom as my mom really shaped how I feel about myself. She exuded confidence at all times and I’m so fortunate to have had her as a role model.

I will admit that I do feel a little “odd” when I’m out with my “muggle” friends – aka normal people who don’t dress in vintage – as I really stick out amongst them. But I’m not nervous or uncomfortable about it, just more aware of my existence, if that makes sense. 

Q: Do you also enjoy listening to the music of 40s-50s? Plus, do you furnish your home with vintage finds?
~Tracy

A: I do love music from the 40s and 50s, especially Jazz and Swing music. But I have incredibly eclectic musical tastes. I adore 80s and New Wave, Hard Rock, Irish Folk, Celtic, Showtunes, Pop, etc. Music has always been a big part of my life. My mother and grandfather were singers and performers and I even had a short stint as a singer in a duo when I was in my 20s. I pretty much have music on at all times when I’m at home.

And for my home, yes I do furnish my home with vintage items. I live in a home built in 1904 with a lot of the original features. I do seem to prefer an older style for my home furnishings, and just like my musical tastes, it is very eclectic. I love the style of the Arts and Crafts movement and anything Art Deco. I also adore Art Nouveau, but it can be very expensive. I collect Disney items and memorabilia so a lot of my decor is also Disney related, but somehow it all works and looks great together.

Q: What is your profession?
~Adalene

A: I am a licensed massage therapist, holistic esthetician and certified holistic health coach. I have been a massage therapist for 15 years and I have a small massage studio in my home where I see clients. Before I moved to Germany I owned and operated an award-winning holistic day spa in Baltimore, MD. Prior to becoming a massage therapist I worked in Marketing and Public relations for several firms in San Diego. I’ve worked in retail during all of my professions, usually having 2-3 jobs at a time.

Most recently I have joined the team as the Features Editor for an upcoming online vintage magazine called, The Vintage Woman Magazine which will be launching in May 2019. I’m so fortunate to work alongside some amazing and inspiring women and I’m able to combine my talents with my passion for vintage style.

Q: I love the way your photos look on your blog and Instagram. Who takes the photos for your blog posts? Are they a professional photographer or are you?
~ Julia

A: Usually for my blog photos, my darling (and patient) husband takes my photos. When he’s not available or I want to do a quick shoot, I just use my tripod in my backyard. Neither my husband nor myself are professionals when it comes to photography. We do have a great camera and have invested in a few really good lenses and we’ve learned a lot over the years about photography. We really enjoy learning about photography and hope to continue to take great photos.

Q: How do you choose your photo locations?
~Celeste

A: Living in Europe there is no lack of amazing locations to shoot my photos. We generally bring a camera with us wherever we go and sometimes we just pull over when we see an especially beautiful spot just to take some photos. We travel quite a bit too so I’ll try and plan my blog posts around our travels or any events that we are attending.

Q: We know that you are on the hunt for the perfect trouser, are there any other vintage items that you are searching for?
~Paige

A: Yes, the ever lasting search for the perfect trouser…I have a few now that I really like, but I’m still searching. I’m actually going to attempt to sew a pair for myself, we’ll see how that goes.

I’m always on the hunt for true vintage items that actually fit me and flatter my shape. I recently found 2 Pendleton jackets on eBay in my size! I haven’t received them yet, so we’ll see how it goes. One thing that I would love to find (and honestly I doubt that it even exists) is a vintage knit set in my size. I have always loved the look of these sets and once I get good enough to knit one, I’m determined to make one for myself.

This has been really fun, thank you again to all of you who sent in questions. Please continue to send me questions as they come up, I’m always happy to chat with you!!!

Love,

Christine