attire

new vintage in JP, me in the 90’s

May 14, 2012

From 1989 to 1990 I was a high school student in Denmark. I lived in a very small village called Ny Stenderup, but every so often I would have the opportunity to visit Ødense, the largest city on the Danish Island of Fyn. In Ødense there was a vintage store called Sgt. Pepper’s. I remember buying a pair of John Lennon spectacles with bright purple lenses… and a vintage Danish Army double-breasted black wool coat. (Wish I still had it.)

Ah, even at an early age I had a keen eye for vintage; however, back then it was more symptomatic of age and income status as opposed to mere novelty value.

The 90’s did seem to usher in the normalcy of wearing US Postal worker shirts and chunky heeled shoes (that our fore-fathers undoubtedly wore at the local disco inferno–the shoes, not the US Post Master’s uniform). And then it seems like… I don’t know what happened. I always think of the Bush-era as being completely devoid of any personality. Not, as in personal preference, but as a sea-change that stylistically defines one decade from another.

Ah, the 90’s… dammit. fuck. Now I’m listening to Massive attack. That can’t be good.

I ride the subway to work and I definitely have started to see the 20-year cycle in full force. Combat boots, girls wearing frayed jean shorts with black tights… flannel… vintage. Jesus, I think of the shit I wore as a 19, 20, 21 year old… respectively 1991, 1992, 1993… (photos of me in the early 90’s in the gallery, cringe.)

Here’s the thing–I still have a few classic pieces that I work into my wardrobe. (My favorite being a Ralph Lauren horseshoe shaped belt-buckle. It’s amazing.) It’s good to work in a vintage accessory, or shoe. Occasionally a pant or top. But you have to do it sparingly. If you wear all vintage, all of the time… well… I don’t know. It’s not me personally.

Which leads me to… a new vintage shop opened in JP. Initially they had a neon sign up that said “Café Society” so I was really hoping that we were getting a new coffee shop. Not that I am completely disappointed with a new vintage shop–I am quite fine with it. I am also drinking white wine on a Sunday which has nothing to do with anything, really.

It’s a super cute really cool store with both men’s and women’s clothes, shoes and accessories. I was mostly impressed with their collection of cuff links and tie-pins. Most of their selection is formal to semi-formal 50’s, 60’s and some 70’s.

I’m sure I’ll be back soon to find a cool little gem to work into my wardrobe.

Ah, the 90’s… dammit. fuck. Now I’m listening to Massive attack. That can’t be good.

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