On dress

Several weeks ago, a friend of mine vented to Facebook about an uncomfortable experience they had while dressed in vintage attire.  Apparently a couple of uncouth cads approached my friend and proceeded to berate her for "celebrating a terrible time in history."  After all, it was during the past that we had mass oppression, bigotry, racism, sexism, Nazism, and a whole slew of other offensive -isms.  These boorish boobs actually tried to shame her for her clothes.  I suspect the irony was totally lost on them.

Now, I have been dressing in vintage and vintage-styled clothing for many years.  Not once have I been chastised for it. (Perhaps being a big girl helps here.) It seems that most people recognize that an appreciation of the fashions, hairstyles, shoes, and art (music, films) of an era does not equate to accepting the entire culture without reservation.

For all we know, Margie here could be pointing
out key points of her Feminist Manifesto

Lest anyone doubt, let me take this time to put any questions to rest:  I am a feminist.  I am an open-minded thinker.  I am a supporter of equal rights.  I am an environmentalist.    And, yes, I dress like a woman of the past; a woman who may have struggled had she shared my views during her time.

While I may daydream about how wonderful it would be if folks returned to a few habits from the past, oppression is certainly not one of them!  (But while we’re on the subject, might I just suggest that we do make an effort to not look like we’re ready for Zumba class when we are going out to dinner?)  I wear what I do for the same reason that you do: I like how I look it them/they're comfortable/they're clean.  

My clothes are not a political statement. My hair isn’t meant to suggest that I want to return to an era of segregation, sexism, and oppression.  My home decor does not imply anything other than my taste in furniture is decidedly different from the average Ikea shopper.  If you want to know what I think about a particular subject, you'll get a much clearer answer by actually asking me versus just assuming based on the sort of frock I put on. ;)

Hair woes

I made the "mistake" of watching The Women (1939) again recently.

Why is this a mistake?  Well, now I'm wishing that my hair were as positively darling as Norma Shearer's.  Granted, mine is a touch curlier, more like Joan's, but for some reason the two women who really inspire me are Norma and Rosalind.  (Rosalind's outrageous Schiaparelli-esque outfits leave me simultaneously in stitches and swooning.)

In the past, I have been able to pull off a similar 'do as Shearer's, but I hesitate to run out and chop off my locks for a couple of reasons:

For starters, I lack a great hairdresser for such styles in my area.  I know an amazing one, Sandra D, but the drive up to her shop is murder for this Long Beach gal.

I do have a gal who will cut my hair as I direct her to do so (some stylists naturally baulk at the client directing them), but she isn't the most technically proficient.  I've had to make a few corrections post-appointment, alas.

Additionally, I just do not have the luxury of the time required to wear my hair like Norma's every day. Declan is much more hands-off these days, not requiring constant attention, but he still needs enough to keep me too busy each day.  My experience with such a haircut is that it looks positively AWFUL when it isn't carefully styled.

So, poo.

Did you ever cut or dye your hair against your better judgement?