When I look through my cabinet of vintage magazines, something I do all the time, I see things that remind me of you. I think "Rue would love this!"
Have you written before on when and why you came to this love? Did you love them as a little girl? Did you inherit this love from your mother? If you've written a post on this and I missed it, I would love to be directed to it.
Well, it's kind of a long and somewhat difficult answer.
I honestly don't really know, but I'll try to explain it as best as I can.
From what I can tell, I've been like this practically from the time I was born and it started with the way I dressed.
My mom said that I refused to wear anything except long dresses as soon as I could voice an opinion, which she told me, was somewhere around the age of two.
Not just long, but dragging on the ground long, like a train.
In my little girl mind, I must have imagined I looked like this:
All my nightgowns and robes had to do the same thing.
I used to love walking downstairs with my robe or dress dragging behind me ;)
This went on until one day my kindergarten teacher told my mom that she thought it was dangerous for me to wear dresses that were so long on the playground.
According to her, this new rule didn't go well with me, but she settled it by getting me much shorter dresses for school.
Me at age 4, probably wishing I could wear a long dress, instead of that red velvet short one:
The odd thing is, it started before I had ever seen anything like Gone with the Wind (my favorite movie) or any kind of Disney Princess movie.
My mom could not (and still can't) figure out where this need of dressing that way came from, but it's continued my whole life.
Here I am (on the left), with a friend, at my Junior Highschool Graduation, with a Laura Ashley dress that went to the ground...
Me as Scarlett O'Hara for Halloween...
Easter with Annie as a baby...
This long dress obsession has since been reduced to special occasions.
Anyway, for a long time, I went with the trends and didn't wear dresses at all, unless I was going out to dinner or somewhere that it was called for, but then one day at the age of 38, I realized I was tired of trying to keep up with those trends and I really didn't like what was in style anyway.
It wasn't me, this trendy clothes horse that I'd become.
So, I did what I'd been dying to do and went back to wearing dresses, but this time from the 1930s to the early 1960s (before the Mod look came into play).
It seemed more reasonable than wearing a Victorian gown and corset everyday ;)
This shocked everyone.
In fact, my mother claimed I was having a midlife crisis.
In reality, I had honestly just found the courage to do what I wanted and felt more comfortable this way.
So that explains the beginning or at least I think.
To be continued...
xo
rue
PS
Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and prayers about Jonathan.
It deeply touched me.
Rue! You remembered! Thank you for this beginning post to answer my questions.
ReplyDeleteYour picture in the red velvet dress? Now I understand that you were always beautiful!
Look at you as Scarlett O'Hara, I would have thought it was really Vivian Leigh if you hadn't told us. And the picture of you holding Annie, both of you are so pretty in your beautiful dresses. Do you see the face of the woman in red looking at you? Or is that your mother? Ooops!
I am just delighted that this love of vintage dressing had its roots in your childhood.
Thank you,
Dewena
P.S. My son sent pictures yesterday of the special outing he and his wife took little Nora on this weekend. Her first time to a movie, now that she's 3, and it was Mary Poppins shown in a completely restored grand theater in their town.The look of amazement on her face was priceless. And the next movie scheduled will be Gone with the Wind! I would love to be there for that.
No, it's not my mom LOL I never even noticed that woman until I put it in this post. Funny look on her face :)
Deletexo
I agree with Dewena! I had to take a second look at you as Scarlett.
DeleteHi Rue, love this post and learning how your journey with vintage began. I love your pics in long dresses. Gone with the Wind has nothing on you my dear. Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week. Hugs, cm
What a delightful post Rue! Thank you for sharing. I look forward to part two.
ReplyDeleteDo you wear dressed when gardening and doing grubby work too?
Long tiered skirts appeals to me, with colorful tops. :-)
FlowerLady
Sometimes I wear dresses, but for the really dirty work, I wear rolled up jeans, 1950s style :)
Deletexo
i KNEW you look like scarlet!!! to me you still do in your avatar picture there on the side bar.
ReplyDeleteand to see you actually dressed like her! well... it's not my imagination! you're the spitting image! LOL. well. i could use a more gracious comparative phrase than 'spitting' image. scarlet would never be caught dead spitting. or...
then again... she just might... she had the spunk enough to do it... if irritated beyond control! LOL.
this was a truly wonderful post resulting from our lovely dewena's question. she asked what we must have all been wondering.
I LOVE IT when someone discovers and leads their authentic life! and you do darling bean. you do! xoxoxo♥
wow. i bet this comment is way too long. just call me gushy gertie. :)
I know this is WAY "late out of the gate" so to speak, but I wanted to share this. You mentioned your conundrum regarding the use and origins of the phrase "spitting image" and I found an answer for it. This is what it says on a site called "thegrammarist" -
Delete"Spitting image is the usual modern form of the idiom meaning exact likeness, duplicate, or counterpart. The original phrase was spit and image, inspired by the Biblical God‘s use of spit and mud to create Adam in his image. But spitting image has been far more common than spit and image for over a century."
Oh, I adore that Scarlett O'Hara costume, and you could easily pass as her twin! That used to be my all-time favorite movie, until I read the book. Now I love the book more. ;) Love the one of you and your daughter too. I used to dress my oldest up in tights and dresses, and she hated it. sigh. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how some people's tastes are formed at such an early age! It seems like you certainly live your style to the fullest. I grew up mostly in new homes and have always gravitated to older bungalow/craftsman styles when buying myself. I am sure it is partly a matter of budget, but also of style. There is something that drawls me in when I see the wide dark woodwork and built-ins!
ReplyDeleteYou have your own unique style and it just fits you!
ReplyDeleteAs long as you are happy I cannot see that it should matter to anyone else! After all we all wear different sorts of clothes, drive different cars, have different homes etc etc etc so do as you please and enjoy it! I think you are fabulous!! xx
ReplyDeleteI have always thought you had an old soul, and perhaps reincarnation came into play.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
LONG LIVE DRESSES!!
ReplyDeleteI like this already. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so pretty!
I love your style, Rue! You're being YOU, and that is the coolest. You looked JUST like Scarlett O'Hara in that pic, and just lovely in the others. Just keep being true to yourself, my dear!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sorry to hear about your dear friend, Jonathan. Too young to leave this world. May God give you peace as you mourn his loss, my friend.
The picture of you in that Laura Ashley dress is breathtakingly beautiful! All these pictures are, but that one just took my breath away.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I subscribed to your blog but haven't been getting the updates. Come to think of it I don't think I received a confirmation so I will do it again. In the meantime I am so sorry to hear about Jonathan. I will go back and read that post now.
I love the way you dress! One needs to be comfortable in their own style. I love wearing dresses, but since my weight started going up, I have stopped wearing them. Hopefully, I will get some of this weight off, and start wearing them again. I also love twin sets. I have found several crochet patterns I like and hope to start making some after I finish my holiday makings.
ReplyDeleteGone With The Wind is my all-time, top-of the pile, movie! So much history, good and bad, in the movie. The fashion is dreamy! Here's a little story: My favourite character is Ashley Wilkes. He just stole my heart the very first time I saw the movie and he still is my favourite one. When I had baby girl #4, I decided I would name her Ashleigh, in honour of Ashley Wilkes! Crazy, I know. My youngest daughter is named Laura Rose, after Laura Wilder and her daughter Rose. My girls actually like their names :)
I'm waiting to read part 2.
Hugs to you...
I truly believe that some people have a soul from another era. That could possibly explain your love of the older fashions, considering that this trend has always been with you from such a young age. xo
ReplyDeleteMy little grandgirl, DEEDS, has an olden soul...she loves 50's music, the Beatles, Buddy Holly...all the olden goodies...
ReplyDeleteshe like to wear vintage but, being 13, she only wears the older tees with jeans. I think she might dress vintage once she is older. Such a chore to find olden clothes in good condition.
Enjoyed your story....:)
xo
I think it's great that you feel comfortable wearing clothes from another era. Maybe that's the direction I need to take. Clothes that are fitted at the waist look best on me, and you sure don't see a lot of that nowdays. Your photos from the past are adorable! Didn't you ever have an awkward stage? Mine lasted decades.
ReplyDeleteGreat, insightful post! You definitely rock Miss Scarlett! I went through a phase in my last years of college, when I found this wonderful 3 story vintage clothing shop with very affordable prices, and bought almost all of my dresses there. I favored the tailored 50's/60's styles. But at the time I had a tiny waist, and was really small, so I thought they looked good on me. I also had a huge collection of old hats and purses. I still love them all, but am way past that size of them looking cute! LOL! I guess I'll have to live vicariously through you and your wardrobe! :) ~Rhonda
ReplyDeleteSometimes, there is no rhyme nor reason. And I like that. The mystery of why a personality is the way it is. :)
ReplyDeleteRue, you look so cutel in all these pictures, but the one at age four got to me. Children are so special, and this picture is a treasure.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I loved seeing all of your sweet photos...moments in time. I went to a town festival this weekend and it was so hot. I wore a long sundress and a big straw hat...it brought back memories of many years ago!
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear about your friend...xoxo
Oh, Rue, you are a true beauty. You look just like a young Vivienne Leigh and Scarlett. I wear long dresses, too.
ReplyDeleteThis is a completely unique and fun post. I always think that I would like to know someone whom I see who cares what she is wearing and doesn't care if it is trending. It shows confidence and independence.-Ginene
ReplyDeleteYou are so beautiful- and holy cow you look exactly like Vivian Leigh in your Halloween costume - wow, what an awesome pic. I love you are yourself, because there is no one else in the world exactly like you - and that is a neat thought.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so interesting at how young we develop our own style and personality. I love having the dress/gown fall behind me down the stairs..the desire to be elegant and not like everyone else. I loved long dresses also and finally gave them up, but do have 1 or 2 that I wear to church sometimes! Gorgeous photos of a gorgeous woman! Hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteI kept thinking you looked familiar...OMG,it's because you look just like Scarlet! I wish I were more comfortable in dresses...they are cooler in the summer, but alas, they went to the thrift store when I retired.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness you look just like vivian leigh!!! Beautiful dress and hat!
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have been born, with this desire.... And lived it, in tiny childhood... And have come back to it, in adulthood. Wonderful... Wonderful... Wonderful...
ReplyDeleteAnd my Dear, what an always beautiful child, girl, woman you were/are. Simply beautiful...
Tessa
How fun to read! I love the 4 year picture...you were a doll and you are still a beauty! Can't wait for part 2!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Vicky
How cool that you knew who you were, even when you were little! Great story and beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, this post just reminds me how absolutely stunning you are and that I wasn't crazy when I thought you looked like Vivien Leigh. Spitting image, sister. Yowza! Secondly, I think having a distinct sense of style is something that should be celebrated. Very few people have one. It's a gift. Midlife crisis...ha!
ReplyDeleteJust such a lovely post Rue, thank you.
ReplyDelete... and I like the photo in the red dress.
All the best Jan
Just such a lovely post Rue, thank you.
ReplyDelete... and I like the photo in the red dress.
All the best Jan
Such sweetness, Rue-all throughout your life you have been a sweet treasure, with not only beauty that glows all around you, but a precious sweetness in your soul.
ReplyDeletexo
Jemma