Cost
Wearing vintage on a daily basis, even reproduction vintage, is a cost business. It's something you need to spend a lot of money on to get right. And, being ill all the time and consequently not being able to work, money just isn't something I have a lot of. The vast vast majority of my wardrobe comes from the high street. Half of the time I buy things from necessity - I need something to wear because my old things are falling to pieces - not from choice. Last year I bought four garments beyond basic t-shirts, one of which doesn't fit at all and one of which I've never worn because it's an evening gown and why oh why did I buy an evening gown? The only others are a black jersey dress which looks rubbish within minutes because it's cheap fabrics and picks up every speck of dust and the other is a sweater I bought in the Dorothy Perkins sale because it looked a bit 50s.
Because of being ill, I spend a lot of time (the vast majority of it in fact) in the house which means that any spare money I have goes towards things that will keep me occupied without causing me to expend much energy. That means things like books, the odd DVD, art equipment. I bought myself a graphics tablet recently as well so I could draw in bed without getting paint everywhere! Clothing just isn't a priority when you're lucky to leave the house once a week and, even then, it's only to go see a doctor or to buy groceries.
Energy
As touched on before, I have ridiculously low energy levels. I probably sleep for sixteen hours a day and most of the rest of them are spent in bed because I am just so tired. I'm also in pain a lot of the time. It's not really conducive to getting dressed up! Things as simple as doing my hair or buttoning a blouse up are really tricky when I do get dressed. I buy my clothes for comfort as opposed to style. Hand washing clothes or worse, taking them to the dry cleaners, is not an option so I need things I can throw in the wash quickly and then stick in the tumble dryer.
I don't have the energy to trawl around charity shops and boot sales so I can't find bargains. Likewise, although I love to sew, I just cannot do it - or at least if I do, it takes me a long long time. Last year I made a grand total of three items - all skirts. In other words, acquiring clothes, however I do it, has to be as simple and straightforward as possible for me.
Solutions
I have become something of an eagle eyed spotter of anything vintage looking. Because of having so much time at home, I do a lot of research on vintage fashions etc. My book collection on the subject is pretty impressive! So whilst the places I do shop - places like ASOS - may not be known for their vintage stylings, when they do have one item which is vintage inspired (even if it's not intentional), I can pick it out instantly. I mostly buy separates because then I have a great deal more variety in my wardrobe. Because vintage costume jewellery is relatively cheap (I steer clear of real bakelite, of course!), I buy a few items of it and make a plain outfit more cheerful and more, for want of a better word, vintage. For me, vintage has become about knowing how to style items that aren't necessarily vintage. I'm sure the purists would have a heart attack but it's the only way I can do it!
What does this mean for blogging?
I can't do OOTDs because, quite simply, I don't get dressed every day. I can't show off my vintage finds because they are so very rare. I'm not going to be able to post my latest sewing creations because they are so few and far between that I'd be posting three times a year only! However, there are things I can do. I can post about my favourite designers, favourite trends, my inspiration etc. I have become ace at spotting modern items with a vintage feel so I'm sure I can gather those together as well. And I can post a little about my life with my illness and show off my outfits when I DO have the energy to put together a great look!
So now I can type away to my heart's content, even if I AM feeling tired ;)
Dear Faith, I can relate to you and everything that you said here on so very many levels. I've been severely chronically ill with multiple conditions for over a decade now and have had to alter, revamp or slash my plans, dreams, and goals in so many areas of my life (at times blogging very much included) more times than I can count. It's never easy, but sometimes adapting can be a good thing. It took me a while (over two years) to find a blogging pace and schedule that works well for me (assuming I don't get hit with any big flares, unplanned hospital trips, etc), and I fully believe that this area of my life will always be a work in progress. Only you know what's right for you, dear gal. Take your time, don't push yourself too hard, and remember to celebrate all of the victories instead of focusing on what didn't come to pass.
ReplyDeleteI'm very proud of you, and am always, always here if you need an understanding friend to talk to.
♥ Jessica
((((hugs)))) I am chronically ill too (extreme anxiety/mental illness) and blogging is something I can do from home, in bed on the days I just can't do anything else - and that's one of the reasons I love it. As I don't go out a lot I can't do outfits of the day either (which is why I started participating in "Sunday Best" on the Lady Jardin Blog...that way I can just do a Sunday post once a month). You have more to offer than pretty pictures of yourself. I look forward to seeing how your blog goes and please contact me if you ever want to chat or need some support. ((((hugs))))
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