Home Archives for October 2019

A Vintage Nerd Recreates: Hairspray (1988): Tracy Turnblad

October 31, 2019

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A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Retro Fashion Inspiration, Hairspray the Movie, Link Larkin, Tracy Turnblad Costume, Welcome to the 60's, Hairspray 1988, Tracy Turnbland Halloween Costume, Sixties Inspired Fashion, Lady in Red, Sixties Retro Style, Bouffant Hairstyle, Hairspray Costume, Disabled Fashion, Living with CMT, Charcot Marie Tooth Disease Fashion

Welcome to the Sixties! When John Waters brought us the world of Hairspray back in 1988 it just blew my mind. The music, the comedy, the fashion, and the hair. We get introduced to Tracy Turnblad who would have been voted the least likely to be a heroine of any story let alone her own but Waters changed all of that. He took a non-popular, chubby girl and made her a star. She was feisty, brave, and told it like it was. That's my kinda girl. And that's why I decided to dress up as Tracy Turnblad for Halloween.

Its safe to say my look is an vintage nerd inspired rendition of Tracy Turnblad. I grabbed a few pieces from my everyday wardrobe, teased my hair a bit, and grabbed my 8x10 frame photo of the dreamy Link Larkin and channeled by inner Tracy.

Hairspray (1988) was loosely inspired by John Waters life in Baltimore in the sixties. He ironically related to Tracy most of all and I don't blame him. Who can't relate to looking different and wanting to live their life according to their own truth? That's Tracy in a nutshell.

A few years after the original film came out it inspired a broadway show that I was lucky to see once. After that success it spawned into a a movie musical in 2007 and then a live show in 2016. Hairspray is just a whole lot of fun combined with a message about staying true to who you are no matter what obstacles lie ahead.

And so on this Halloween I bring you Tracy Turnbland. I even found a vintage 1960's pumpkin to go trick or treating in. Now only if I can convince Link to come along?

Outfit: Plaid Skirt from Modcloth, White Blouse from Collectif, Red Cardigan from Old Navy,

Red earrings are Vintage, and Vintage Pumpkin is from the 1960's

Cutest Pumpkin In The Patch

October 29, 2019

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Personal Style

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blogger, Vintage Lifestyle, Retro Inspired Fashion, Modcloth Cape, Modcloth Retro Style, Casual Retro Inspired, Brixton Beret, Retro Fall Inspiration, Fall Fashion Inspiration

Every time I find myself in a pumpkin patch I can't help but think of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966). Linus van Pelt strongly believes in a holiday figure called The Great Pumpkin. He thinks the Great Pumpkin flies around bringing toys to sincere and believing children on Halloween night. Even though the Great Pumpkin doesn't show up Linus still believes that one day it will happen.

When people think of magic they usually think of Christmas and Harry Potter but I've always found the fall weather, pumpkin patches, and Halloween to be a magical time of year. Its a time to warm ourselves with soups and sandwiches, a time to pick out costumes, a time to allow ourselves to be spooked, and a time for pumpkin carving.

I think Linus was right. Let us all keep an eye out for the Great Pumpkin. You never know what the Great Pumpkin will bring us.

Outfit: Jeans from Old Navy, Turtleneck from J Crew Factory, Plaid Cape from Modcloth,

Mustard Beret from Brixton, 1960's Ring from Manhattan Vintage Show

Autumn's In The Air

October 24, 2019

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Personal Style

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Vintage Blogger, Vintage Fashion, Vintage Inspired Fashion, 1960s Style, Everyday Vintage Fashion, Jean Dress, Beret Looks, Disabled Fashion, Plus Size Fashion, Retro Capes, Nautical Cape, Vintage Cape, Vintage Fall Fashion

My love for capes started at a young age. I remember my grandmother knitted me one when I was very little and ever since then I have always loved the way a cape would make me feel. Capes have been around for a long time. They were first seen in 1066 but it wasn't until the Victorian age that capes were being worn mainly by women when they really became a staple in fashion.

In the 20th Century the capes that were worn in the 1930's became a hybrid between a cape and coat. They were worn not just for decoration with an evening gown but also to keep a person warm. Capes come in all lengths, shapes, and fabrics which makes them such a fun and versatile piece to add to ones wardrobe. Not only are they comfortable to wear but they really do add a vintage touch. Whether the one you wear is true vintage or a reproduction it will make you feel amazing.

Outfit: Jean Dress and Beret from J Crew and Turtleneck and Cape from J Crew Factory

A Vintage Nerd Recreates: Harold and Maude (1971): Dame Marjorie "Maude" Chardin

October 02, 2019

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A Vintage Nerd Recreates

A Vintage Nerd, Harold and Maude, Old Hollywood Fashion Inspiration, Old Hollywood Blog, Vintage Blogger, Vintage Blog, Harold and Maude Inspired Outfit, Vintage Nerd, 1960's Dress, Authentic Vintage Fashion, Milk Maid Braids, 1970's Movies, CMT and Fashion, Leg Braces and Dresses, Wearing Leg Braces, Disabled Fashion, Ruth Gordon

Harold and Maude (1971) is a film that has slowly crept into my heart through the years. It is the sort of film that resinates with you days later, even years. It speaks to the mind, to the heart, and on occasion to your funny bone. You can learn more about the film from my post Classic Cinema Spotlight: Harold and Maude.

There is this scene where Maude tells Harold that when she dies she would like to be a sunflower. Then she asks Harold what sort of flower would he like to be. He tells points to a daisy field and tells her he doesn't mind being one of those because they are all the same. Then Maude begins to explain why daises aren't what they seem, in fact they are all unique and all special.

Maude : I should like to change into a sunflower most of all. They're so tall and simple. What flower would you like to be?

Harold : I don't know. One of these, maybe.

Maude : Why do you say that?

Harold : Because they're all alike.

Maude : Oooh, but they're *not*. Look. See, some are smaller, some are fatter, some grow to the left, some to the right, some even have lost some petals. All *kinds* of observable differences. You see, Harold, I feel that much of the world's sorrow comes from people who are *this*,

[she points to a daisy]

Maude : yet allow themselves be treated as *that*.

[she gestures to a field of daisies]

That scene really hit home to me and reminded me that despite my faults I am a unique person. That despite my disability, my age, my body type, the things others would perhaps easily find fault with, that I am like a daisy, one of a kind.

It was a good reminder. This film has a knack of doing that. Of teaching, showing, and inspiring over and over again. In honor of Harold and Maude and the great Ruth Gordon, I wanted to share with you my vintage inspired outfit. And to remind you all that our differences are what make us beautiful. Our differences are what makes us who we are. All those things are special.