Meet Kate-Em: British vintage blogger, lover of museums, and one seriously skilled knitter

Though you wouldn't know it from the continued rainy weather (see this recent post) around these parts, summer has emerged once more and most of the world is enjoying far drier and balmier days than we are. With the return of the glorious season, it's time for our latest edition of the fun and exciting reoccurring post series, Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger.

For June's delightful conversation, I'm elated and honoured alike to say that today's interviewee is none other than Kate-Em (pictured below), who many of you may know from her fantastic blog, What Kate-Em Did Next, which has been online for a few years now.




Kate-Em resides in good, old Blighty and has been very dear friend of mine for ages. In addition to having a heart of gold and an immense talent for knitting, she loves vintage something fierce and is an avid member of the online vintage world, often taking the time to comment and show her support to others in our midst (which, as you know, is something I hold in the highest esteem).

Sweet, creative, and lovely as the day is long, Kate-Em and her blog both deserve a spot of your time and I hope that you'll join me in bestowing such their way on this lovely last Monday in June.



{The beautiful header from Kate-Em's blog, which stars photos of both of her grandmas and a great-aunt.}


For those who are just meeting your wonderful blog, What Kate-Em Did Next, for the first time today, could you please share a bit about your site with us, including when it launched and what inspired you to start a vintage related blog?


Hello, I’m Kate-Em. I started my blog in May 2012 as I really had an urge to write about all the things that were buzzing about in my head. I had been doing lots of knitting, researching vintage fashion and reading lots of history books and I wanted a place to chat about all of this, to share my thoughts and show the things that I found. I had been reading a few blogs and it seemed like a blog of my own might be the kind of thing that I was looking for. And it was!


I tend to write about my knitting and craft projects, historical places I visit, exhibitions I go to, fashion history and vintage fashion, share vintage photos and patterns and share the odd outfit. I really don't like having my photo taken but I want to share more outfits so I am going to have to get over it!


How would you say that the blogging world (vintage and/or otherwise) has changed since then? Has your blog adapted in any way in response to these changes?

I know that many people who have been blogging for a long time have seen a bit of a decline in blogging with the rise of things like Instagram. I can’t really say that I have noticed those changes from my blog’s point of view. I really enjoy following other blogs and chatting with their writers via the comments.

I have met some fascinating, wonderful people that way. I also enjoy seeing snapshots of blogger’s lives on Instagram, things that wouldn't necessarily make up a post but are interesting in their own right. I enjoy sharing pictures like this on Instagram and they may or may not make it onto my blog.




You’re extremely passionate about knitting – when did that love start and how has it factored into your life and blog alike?

I am lucky to come from a family full of crafty women, knitters, sewers and embroiderers so I have been around it all my life. My Mum used to knit and sew my clothes and my Granny and Grandma knitted for me. My Auntie knitted me a rag doll, Jeanie (pictured above), when I was very young who was a constant companion. She regularly had to be ‘taken to hospital’ by my Auntie as I wore her out from cuddling her.

I think that my Grandma taught me to knit when I was about 7 and I used to knit clothes for my toys and then the toys themselves, progressing to proper garments as a teenager. I didn't knit so much when I was at university or in the few years that followed and then I got back into it properly about 12 years ago.

I had a breakdown 6 years ago and ended up having to resign from my job through ill health. It was an incredibly difficult time with far reaching consequences and it is something that I am still dealing with today. Knitting has really helped me during this time, giving me something to focus on, to calm my brain and help keep myself steady and manage my anxiety. Knitting has well documented positive effects on mental health and I definitely found that to be true.

When I was able to, I made myself attend a local knitting group. It was a huge step, it took lots of working up to and my husband dropped me off and then sat in the car for 30 minutes waiting to see if I managed to stay or if I would run out crying and need to go home. I managed to stay, mostly by knitting furiously and not speaking to anyone for ages until I felt that I could squeak out the odd reply. Luckily, I landed in a group full of the most brilliant, amazing, talented, generous and supportive women that I could have hoped to find.


When I decided that I would like to start blogging it seemed obvious to me to be the place to combine my love of knitting and vintage and it has all gone on from there.


What are some of your favourite types of things to knit?

I like to knit 1940’s and 1950’s jumpers and cardigans for myself as I love the shapes and the interesting stitch patterns that were commonly used. I like knitting hats from that period too. I also like to knit vintage children’s patterns for friend’s with new babies and for my niece. I knitted early 50’s double breasted jumper for her for Christmas.

She has just put in a request for a scarf, pink with yellow spots, and I think I have just found a 1930’s pattern with matching mittens that should do it! I also enjoy knitting commission knits as often they are glorious patterns but not ones that I might make myself either due to style or size so that way I still get the fun of seeing what they knit up like!


You have a fabulous collection of vintage knitting patterns, some of which you’ve generously shared images from with on your blog. How did that collection get its start?

I have always been a collector of stuff and I think that I always will be. At a knitting show a good number of years ago I came across a stall selling vintage haberdashery, books and patterns. I came away with a 1940’s knitting book and a 1950’s knitting magazine and that was it.

They just hooked me, I loved all the garments, the fashion history, the style and I thought ‘this is what I need to knit’! So then I started looking out for vintage patterns wherever I went and the collection was born!





Are there any types of vintage patterns in particular that you find yourself drawn to?

Apart from patterns for items that I would like to make for myself there are certain types of patterns that I look out for. I love the cozy glamour (that sounds like opposite states but I totally think it is a thing) of bed jackets so I always pick up patterns for those if I find them. I love patterns featuring Fair Isle so they would always be winners as would picture/motif knits.

Patterns featuring people smoking are a favourite as they are from the period when smoking was not seen as harmful. I’m not a smoker but find the history of the tobacco industry fascinating and frightening and the knitting patterns accurately reflect people’s behaviour at the time. They are a real social history snapshot. I also have a special section of ‘so bad it’s good’ patterns where comedy poses, props, backgrounds, horrific hats and monstrous jumpers have a special place.


Where are some of your favourite places to source vintage knitting patterns from (online or off)?

I most enjoy sourcing vintage knitting patterns from charity shops, junk shops and junk markets as I like the excitement of rummaging through a big pile and not knowing what treasures I may unearth. I also buy at vintage events and some knitting shows have dealers that stock vintage patterns. Online, Ebay can be a good source, especially if you get a bargain. Etsy is a great source, especially if you are not bothered about owning the original pattern as many sellers sell PDF’s of patterns in their own collection.

My two favourite are 1940’s Style For You and Pretty Old Patterns. The Victoria and Albert Museum have some free vintage patterns on their websites. The Vintage Pattern Files is a great resource and bloggers such as Subversive Femme, Va Voom Vintage, and myself all put free patterns on their blogs.




And how about yarn and other supplies?

I like to source yarn from a shop or knitting show as I like to support small businesses and see and feel the yarn myself. I really struggle to wear wool as it itches me like mad so it is important for me to be able to put the yarn against my skin and see what it feels like.

I also like to play with colour with the balls of yarn themselves, to see how they work against each other and with my skin tone. I get most of my supplies from local shops, charity shops and markets too. I appreciate that not everyone has access to good, local shops but that is what I prefer.


Do you find that you have a lot of WIPs on the go, or do you prefer to start a project and see it through to completion in quite a linear fashion?

I laughed out loud when I read this question, Jessica! In my head, I am the kind of person who starts a project and sees it through but, from surveying the evidence in many knitting bags and various piles, I have to conclude that this really isn't the case.

From a quick look I am going to confess to the following WIP:

-A 1950’s cardigan that needs one front lace panel knitting

-One half sewn up 1950’s cardigan

-A colourwork partial headband

-The beginnings of a sock -One 1960’s bag to sew up

-Four 1950’s hats knitted but not sewn together

-A 1950’s feather and fan jumper, back complete, front recently started -A 1940’s jumper that needs some rows of crochet to finish the neckline

In my defense, projects get picked up and put down around other activities such as commissions, or social knitting occasions when I need something easy so I can talk lots too, or when it needs to be easily portable. I am going to crack on with them though!




And what would be your absolutely dream knitting project (that you haven’t tackled yet, that is)?

One day I want to knit a really colourful and complicated 1940’s Fair Isle cardigan for myself but I want to improve my colour work skills first as I want it to be fabulous! I have two amazing jumper patterns, one that is 1940’s with seahorses on and on that is 1950’s with a parrot on that I would like to make. I also want to knit some 1940’s underwear and a 1940’s or 50’s swimsuit from an historical interest point of view.


What advice would you give to those who want to get into knitting, but have never done so before?

Choose the nicest yarn that you can afford, one that speaks to you and makes you excited about creating something. You are more likely to stick at learning to knit if you like what you are knitting. Likewise, you don't have to start with a scarf or a square. If you think you would find that boring then choose something else, a simple hat or shawl or a pair of wrist warmers for example. Most patterns are graded in difficulty or you can ask your local yarn shop for advice.

Don’t feel like you should start with chunky wool just because it grows quickly. If the needles feel like broom handles in your hands or you fall in love with a gorgeous ball of 4-ply, knit with that instead.

It is perfectly possible to teach yourself to knit from a book or from online tutorials but I think that you can't beat someone showing you and sitting with you for those first few rows. If you don't have a friend or family member who can show you I would advise going to a class, but are sure it is a small group so you get plenty of attention. Or, turn up in a yarn shop and say “help, I need to learn to knit. Show me now”!

Remember that it takes practise, you will most likely feel weird and uncoordinated at first and then it will click. Mistakes can easily be ripped back or can be counted as part of the garment’s individual charm, depending on your approach!


Do you think there are points that were, objectively, better about knitting in the past and/or nowadays?

In the past, many people were taught to knit (and sew, mend etc) whilst they were children and it was an activity just as much for boys as girls. Obviously it still is, but it isn't always portrayed as or seen as such which is a huge shame.

Starting young gives you longer to become skilled and it must have helped that it was a very commonplace activity. Vintage patterns can be short on explanation as they assume the knitter already has a certain level of knowledge, gained by experience. I wouldn't mind a time machine to allow me to go back in time and buy all the patterns and knitting magazines that I could get hold of!

Now is an incredibly exciting time for knitters, especially with the help of the internet as a wealth of patterns, tutorials, yarns, gadgets and like minded souls are there at your fingertips. Although I tend not to knit from modern patterns I like to see what is out there and what is popular. There is greater yarn choice from interesting fibre mixes to specialized independent dyers. There is a very vibrant knitting scene with crafternoons in shops and plenty of fibre festivals.


What are some other crafts, aside from knitting, that really speak to you?

I enjoy crochet too though I am still quite a beginner at it. I have some great vintage crochet patterns so I really want to master it. I also enjoy sewing and I am really keen to do that more. I went to classes for a while and made a couple of bags, a dress and a cape. I

want to get better at garment making so that I can use vintage patterns and increase my wardrobe! I like embroidery and cross stitch too and I am slowly working on some patchwork using the paper piecing method. I also like the odd bit of paper crafting. I really love to make things so the more crafting the better for me!




How long have you been wearing vintage styles for, and what era(s) do you find yourself most frequently drawn in terms of your own wardrobe?

I have been wearing vintage styles on and off since I was a teenager. Back then I used to go to lots of jumble sales and find great 1960’s dresses to wear with vintage velvet jackets that I bought from a market. I wore a great, full length embellished 1960’s dress of my great aunts to a university ball, if only I could still fit it! I most frequently find that items in my wardrobe are 1940’s or 50’s in style but I love fashions from the 1930’s and the early 60’s too.


Do you incorporate vintage elements into your home as well?

I do but not as much as I want to and hope to do some day. I am always on the look out for things for my home. I have quite a collection of vintage china which I use or have out on display. I have a 1930’s clock on my mantelpiece and a 1950’s Singer sewing machine on an old cabinet.

I have my grandparent’s bureau which holds china in 2 display cupboards and my embroidered tablecloths and crochet doilies in another cupboard. Our spare room houses all my craft supplies so that has plenty of vintage sewing baskets, haberdashery and books in it, for use and for decoration.


You have such a cool job – working at a haberdashery – can you please tell us a bit about what is that like?

I absolutely love it!! It is just the best job for me. I like to be interacting with people so I love having a chat to the customers and helping them out with their haberdashery emergencies! I’m also very nosy so I like seeing what yarn or fabric people buy and then finding out what projects they have planned for it. I love it when customers come in and show me their finished projects.

I like helping people if they get stuck on their pattern or if they need advice on styles or colours or coming up with ideas for creating 1920’s headbands for dogs or hammocks for growing pumpkins (true). Being surrounded by gorgeous yarns is great, though bad for the bank balance! I like seeing all the new stock as it comes in and ordering it on the shelves, working out which colours sing together. It is such a cheerful place to be!





Living in the UK, have you had a chance to attend many vintage related events before?

I get to a reasonable number of vintage fairs which I always really enjoy. There is quite a big 1940’s event that happens near me which I have never managed to get to as it always clashes with something I already have planned. Maybe next year I will be better organised. I probably don't get to as many events as I would really like to so that is something for me to work on.


We share a mutual passion for museums in person. What are some of your favourite ones (and/or exhibits) that you’ve been to? Is there a museum, anywhere in the world, that you’d love to visit, but haven’t yet?

Tricky question! Many of the big London museums are favourites of mine. My Uncle used to take my sister and my two cousins to the National Maritime Museum regularly when we were very young so that has happy memories. We were particularly fascinated by a paddle steamer you could explore and Lord Nelson’s blood stained stockings! I love the Natural History Museum, both the collections and the building itself. I also love the Victoria and Albert Museum as it is so diverse and has so much to see.

I recently saw the 100 Years of Vogue exhibition which was just fabulous and visited the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms which was really interesting. I’m excited as an exhibition that I couldn't get to London to see, Fashion on the Ration, has moved to the Imperial War Museum North which is much nearer for me so I will be able to get to see it after all.

I would one day like to visit the Anne Frank museum.

My favourite museum is Beamish, an open air living history museum near Durham. It has a 1900's town with a bank, printers, bakery, pub, dentist etc and you can go inside each one and explore. Members of staff are dressed in period clothing and talk about how life would have been.There is also a 1940's farm, a Georgian farm and a pit village and mine. You travel around the site on trams and buses. It is the best day out!




In addition to vintage, museums/history, and knitting, what are some of your biggest passions/interests?

Reading! Definitely one of my biggest passions. I always have a book on the go and have an overflowing bookcase full of books waiting to be read. I am no good at all at not buying a book that catches my eye, even if I have plenty to read already. I give most genres a go but not surprisingly I really enjoy historical fiction. I also read a lot of social history books, particularly about the role and experiences of women during the second world war, but anything from the 1920’s-1960’s I would find interesting.

I like going walking in the countryside and exploring beautiful places. One interest that I haven't been able to pursue for a good few months is boxing! I used to go to boxercise and boxing training regularly and loved it. I am waiting for a neck/shoulder problem to be resolved and then I hope to start again as I miss it!


Circling back to fashion, what are some of your “must have” vintage accessories for the sunny summer months that we’re launching into again now?

A lovely big straw hat to keep me cool and shady and a large, light scarf as a cover up as my skin really doesn't like the sun. I’m still looking for my perfect straw bag as they just shout summer to me. I’m after two, a smaller handbag type and a larger one that fits a book and my knitting in it! I want to knit a short little summer bolero to go over dresses. I like hair flowers for summer up do’s and a good pair of sunglasses of course!





Any cool summertime plans that you’d like to share with us?

I’m hoping to get out and about lots this summer, exploring, walking and visiting. I’m excited to be going on holiday to the Isle of Wight. I have always wanted to visit and see it’s beautiful beaches and scenery and visit it’s historic attractions so I’m over the moon to be finally going.



And last, but certainly not least, what’s on your needles right now?

On my needles right now is the final sleeve of a modern knit! Shock horror! It is a loose jacket with one button at the neck and it reminds me of a 1950’s jacket or swing coat. We have some fabulous super chunky wool in the shop where I work which I was desperate to knit, but, it is a yarn type that there are no vintage patterns for as it didn't exist then. So a modern pattern that is vintage in style fitted the bill!

I think it will be perfect as a summer evening cover up and also for those periods in spring and autumn where you are too cold in just a cardigan and too warm in a coat.

Connect with Kate-Em on the following sites:

Her Blog

Her Easy shop

Facebook

Instagram

Meet the past interviewees who have taken part in this delightful ongoing post series:

February 2015: Emileigh | March 2015: CiCi | April 2015: Helen Mae | May 2015: Esther | June 2015: Ms. Falcon | July 2015: Jessie, and Laurence & Sylvain | August 2015: Holly | September 2015: Rhia | October 2015: Franny | November 2015: Emily | December 2015: Porcelina | January 2016: Nora | February 2016: Kate | March 2016: Carla | April 2016: Jessica E.| May 2016: Skye

♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you very much for this stellar interview, dear Kate-Em. I sincerely appreciate your time and how candidly you spoke about your life and treasured interests here with Chronically Vintage's audience. I feel blessed to have you as a friend and to share so many passions in common.

If you're not already following Kate-Em's blog, I highly encourage you to do so. She posts marvelous vintage related entries there - many of which are chalk-a-block full of awesome mid-century images, and is one of those beautiful souls that the blogsphere is genuinely better for having in its midst.

Next up, we'll be slipping on a pair of vintage sunnies and a cute sundress or playsuit and hightailing back to the Pacific coast of North America, where I'll chat with another truly treasured friend of mine, whose many interests, incredible vintage fashion sense, love of themed attire, and exciting travels throughout the area will leave you spellbound (and wishing there was a magic button that would allow you to instantly copy her gorgeous wardrobe into your own closet).

Until then, my sweet dears, enjoy this first leg of summer and all the fun, excitement and - hopefully - beautiful weather it holds in store!

Meet Skye: Passionate writer, devoted shirtwaist dress fan, and epic vintage hat lover!

May is nearing its end and summer is rearing to round the bend, ready to brighten - quite literally - our lives once more. At the moment though, we're still enjoying the final weeks of spring and as such, it's time to hop right into May's edition of our fun Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger ongoing interview post series.

Today I'm deeply honoured to have the opportunity to interview none other than Skye from the bracingly wonderful vintage fashion blog, My Kingdom for a Hat. I've been an ardent follower of Skye's blog since discovering it quite some time ago now and greatly appreciate the wit, intellect, and creative flare that she brings to both her writing and her wardrobe choices.




Skye and I share numerous points in common, from a mad love of shirtwaist dresses (the size of her collections smokes mine out of the water!) and vintage hats, Halloween, great books, writing, sporting crimson hued locks, and so much more.

A fascinating, charismatic woman, Skye's honest opinions, exciting ensembles, and stunning yesteryear hats make following her blog a joy of no small magnitude, and really am pleased as can be that she was keen to take part in this series and share so much about herself with us here this month.

Grab your favourite springtime beverage, pull up a cozy seat and join me in to getting to know more about Skye, as we discuss everything from Flannery O'Connor novels to her love of Maleficent, and of course old school chapeaus in spades, too!


Welcome, Skye! For those who are just having the pleasure of meeting you and your vintage blog, My Kingdom for a Hat, for the first time, could you please tell us when your site launched and what inspired its lovely name?

I made my first post on May 2nd, 2012. It was finals season, so what else would I do, in a fit of procrastinatory pique, but start a blog? I'd been sharing my outfits on Facebook for a few months, and I decided it was time for a proper home. The blog was called Color Me Brazen then, a name I kept for almost a year. I've been My Kingdom for a Hat since March 2013. It's a pun on Shakespeare's, "my kingdom for a horse".




Let’s talk vintage hats then, shall we? What sorts of things draw you to a given hat? How often do you tend to wear one?


I wear a hat - or a headscarf, if it's hot - every day. I'm fondest of pillbox and calot styles. Anything that requires pins, really - I love that unmistakably vintage look. Impracticality delights me. Beads, feathers, veils - bring me form over function, every time.


Do you share my perpetual sense of bewilderment (even though I do fully understand the plethora of reasons why such is the case) over the fact that most people willing gave up the wearing of fashionable hats with nary a hint of protest, and, to your mind, what was the leading cause (or causes) for the demise of this thoroughly marvelous accessory?

I know this one! Western fashion, through the 20th century, was basically a march from style to substance. A hundred years ago, people either made their own clothes or had them tailored. Ready-to-wear garments didn't exist on any meaningful scale until the 1920s.

As they became more common, people's tastes grew progressively more casual, and that's about when we dispensed with hats, gloves, etc. People didn't want to spend time and money on non-functional accessories, and I can't say I blame them! I enjoy the ritual of lacing my corset and pinning on my hat just right, but it's definitely not for everyone.




We share an unfettered passion for shirtwaist dresses. What is it in particular about this deeply classic style of garment that appeals to you?

I'm the laziest seamstress ever, and a full skirt/fitted bodice dress is easiest to sew. But really, I'm just a hedonist. I'm very sensory, and swishing about in several yards of fabric is pure luxury.



As I’m sure inquiring minds may wish to know, how many would you say you own at present?

Oh lord - 50? 60? I did an inventory recently, but I turn over my stock a lot. I'm always sewing new things and selling old ones.




What decades do you find yourself most drawn to from a fashion standpoint? Do these differ from, or jive with, the ones that you yourself currently wear?

I find the 1910s and '20s incredibly interesting. I don't think people fully realize that history isn't a linear trip from oppressive to progressive, and the early 20th century shows us that. Women then had more freedom, in some ways, than women 30 years later! Flappers' fashions would make their granddaughters blush. I mostly wear '40s and '50s, though. As much as I love the Roaring Twenties, I'm not quite comfortable in above-knee skirts.


In addition to awesome vintage hats, what are some “must have” yesteryear accessories in your books?

Curlers! I've almost gotten used to sleeping on them. And gloves, of course, though adapting them for modern day is hard. Ladies of old didn't interact with technology the way we do. Try texting with satin fingertips...




And speaking of things pertaining to books, you’re a passionate writer, can please tell us more about the roll(s) in which writing currently plays in your career and daily life alike?

I am always writing. When I don't have pen and paper, I'm texting myself story ideas. When I don't have my phone, I'm whispering them under my breath, trying to commit them to memory. It's in my blood. I taught myself to read and write when I was four, and I wouldn't even know how to stop. I finished three novels before I graduated from high school, and I desperately wanted to be a teen author. Sometimes I judge myself for having missed the chance - and then I remember I'm only 22. Such an old fart, right?


Right now I work as an office manager, and I write and edit all official company literature. In high school, I was copy editor - their youngest ever- for my town's monthly newspaper. I've written for online magazines and for local community theater. I spend an embarrassing amount of time arguing politics on the internet - I'm actually trying to turn my political blog into a quarterly magazine. In April, I had a short story published in one of Yale's literary journals. I have a few more coming out this summer, and I'm hoping to publish my short-story collection within the next couple of years.


Oh, and the fanfiction. So much fanfiction. I freely admit to being one of Those Girls.


It’s an oldie, but a goodie all the same: Who (past or present), from the arts and literary world, would be seated at your fantasy dinner party?

Louise Brooks, first of all. She was the OG flapper. The real thing, not just for the movies. I've heard she read Schopenhauer on set, which appeals to the snob in me. Eleanor Audley, who played Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty, and Angelina Jolie, who played her in the 2014 remake. Gregory Maguire, Stephen Sondheim. Ayn Rand, because I love arguments over dinner. And Oscar Wilde, in case the party started lagging.




Would you describe yourself as a bookworm?

Definitely! Though "books" is putting it broadly. I read mostly longform journalism lately, plus short stories on writers' forums online. The last book I read was Flapper by Joshua Zeitz, a social history of the Jazz Age (J’s note: I own and have read that book as well; it’s excellent!).


What are some of your favourite vintage/classic literature titles?

I was a Latin major, so my definition of "vintage titles" might be skewed! I love Ovid and Catullus. Their work has a crassness people don't expect from the ancients. But people have always been just people, and I love that. There's a famous bit of Roman graffiti that reads "on April 19th, I made bread". So #relatable.

To go a little more recent - I'm a big Flannery O'Connor fan. Everything That Rises Must Converge has been a big influence on my own writing. And as of last year, my all-time favorite book is officially vintage. Wicked was published in 1995. I love retold fairy tales, and Gregory Maguire was my introduction to the genre.




Aside from your beautiful wardrobe, what are some ways in which you inject vintage into your life?

My house is almost 100 years old, which I love. And I buy most of my housewares second hand. My partner and I are slowly amassing antique furniture, including one beautiful but very uncomfortable couch. We're involved with lots of historical reenactment events - Renn Faires, etc. And I make flower wines, which makes me feel positively medieval.


Like myself, you adore the past, but wouldn’t want to permanently live there, if such were possible. However, are there any elements of the decades you hold most dear that you wish were still more prevalent in today’s society?

The self-sufficiency. I rely on modern convenience as much as anyone else, but I make a point of knowing how to cook, sew, shovel a driveway, etc. It's important to know I could take total care of myself, even if I don't currently have to. I'm from New England: blizzard survival skills are a must.




There is an immense allure and undeniable beauty to vintage fashion, which accounts, in part, for its popularity and appreciation to this very day. To your mind, are there elements of 21st that may be looked back upon with similar reverence and appreciation, or will we continue to hold the “golden era” of fashion in high esteem, but not be anywhere near as keen to rekindle today’s looks in another, say, fifty to eighty years? (Not that the two couldn’t, of course, cohabitation in the sartorial world then, too.)

I honestly don't know! Today's fashions are less their own thing and more a remix of the past. We have more access to other eras and cultures than ever before; the lines are more blurred. 2016's "look" is much more eclectic than 1916's. If anything, I think today's renditions of vintage styles will go down in history. "2010s does '50s" will be the "'80s does '50s" of thirty years from now.



How far back in time does your passion for vintage fashions stretch? Were there any defining experiences in particular that cemented such for you?

I've always loved costumey clothes. I was a theater geek; I wore cloaks and sparkly shoes to school well into my teens. I went thrifting all the time, and I took pride in the fact that I would wear anything. When I was about 18, I fell in love with the "vintage dresses and colorful tights" ModCloth aesthetic. I walked around like a total hipster for a couple of years until I started craving more elegance. Now I wear vintage as it was supposed to be worn: the whole corset and caboodle. It feels right - even more so when I get asked if I'm in a play.




At this point in your life, how would describe your personal style?

"Walking anachronism". I love straight-up vintage; forget the "modern twist". If I don't look like your grandma in her prime, I'm not feeling my best.


We share many points in common, another of which is an unending love for All Hallows Eve. Can you share more about your passion for such and some ways (if applicable) in which you keep such going strong all throughout the year?

I've been volunteering at haunted houses for a decade (J's note: that is officially awesome!). It's actually how I met my partner of three years. Since 2014, I've been on the production team of the largest haunted event in the county.

I make costumes, help script scenes, and attend your demon-wrangling needs. This year, though, my partner and I are taking time off to experience other local haunts. We're calling it "research and development", though our motives are totally ulterior and we both know it.


Does your love of Halloween factor, in any outwardly discernible way, into your current fashion choices?

I love Halloween in part because it's an excuse to be totally, unabashedly garish. I like to think I'm channeling Hallows' Eve when I wear a corset and petticoat to work. Life's too short not to use the good china!

I also have a pumpkin-patch tattoo down my right side, so I'm always carrying a little autumn spirit around.
 

Back to blogging, for a moment. What are some things that you’re surprised to see remain largely uncovered (as in, not written about) in the vintage fashion world? Do you feel any compulsion to cover such yourself?

The concept of "classiness" is really loaded, and I want to see more vintage lovers examine it. I see too many fellow bloggers reference eras "when women dressed like ladies" or disparage today's women to elevate the past. There's nothing inherently respectable or not about certain styles of dress. I'm not personally comfortable in clubwear and stiletto heels, but it's not my place to judge women who are. We can celebrate vintage style without the implicit (and sometimes explicit) slut-shaming.

Besides, what's modest today was once revolutionary. Mae West was arrested for public indecency. Bettie Page made freaking fetish porn! In their time, they were no different from the girls we decry as "immodest" today. Even makeup was once considered scandalous.


Are a big social media fan? Any sites/apps you love/loath?

My relationship with social media is begrudging. I've got my blogs, and I use Facebook to talk with friends and browse vintage groups, but that's about it. I know it's pretty much essential these days, but I hate being constantly connected. I loathe "personal branding". I don't even have a smartphone, and I plan on being the last holdout under the age of 80.


So often, I find, that those of us who are heavily immersed in the vintage scene (and/or the wearing of vintage) come to have such almost exclusively represent, to the world, who they are and thus a certainly singularity of interests is perceived, when in relatively, such is very rarely the case. 

In an effort to change this, I’m immensely interested in discussing with fellow vintage fans what some of their other passions/goals/dreams are. Any such areas that you wish to share here with us?

I'm obsessed with Maleficent! I love her, always have. I have dolls, posters, t-shirts, even a tissue box with her face on it. Hell, I have a tattoo of her horns on the back of my neck! I'm active in the (unfortunately small) Maleficent fanfiction community online. She's my favorite character of all time, and I counted down the days to her movie in 2014.



And last, but not least, circling back to the earliest questions here, what would be your “take my kingdom, it’s yours!” unicorn of a vintage hat be?

I absolutely love Mode de Lis's lemon hat. Making my own version would be pretty easy, but it's just not the same as finding it in the wild.

Connect with Skye on the following sites:

Her blog: My Kingdom for a Hat

Her Tumblr blog: Beginning Our Dissent

Her Etsy shop: Dressed in the Dark Vintage

Meet the past interviewees who have taken part in this delightful ongoing post series:

February 2015: Emileigh | March 2015: CiCi | April 2015: Helen Mae | May 2015: Esther | June 2015: Ms. Falcon | July 2015: Jessie, and Laurence & Sylvain | August 2015: Holly | September 2015: Rhia | October 2015: Franny | November 2015: Emily | December 2015: Porcelina | January 2016: Nora | February 2016: Kate | March 2016: Carla | April 2016: Jessica E.

♥ ♥ ♥

It was a joy to get to know you better, Skye, thank you ever so much for this excellent interview and for sharing your love of the past with us through your blog. I wholeheartedly encourage one and all to pop on over and follow Skye there, if you're not doing so already.

With less than a month to go until summer, the following weeks of (typically!) near perfect, absolutely gorgeous weather will no doubt be full, exciting ones for many of us.

Not too busy though, on this end at least, for June's next Fellow Vintage Blogger interview post, which I'm thrilled to say will see us boarding our fabulous imaginary vintage jet and traversing back to Europe, where I'll chat with one of my oldest and dearest online friends.

Her many passions include such things as knitting, crafting in general, visiting museums, and vintage shopping, so I'm sure we'll have an absolute bevy of things to chat about. I can hardly wait!

Here's to the tail end of spring and all the fun and loveliness it holds in store for each of us, my dears!

12 rapid fire questions with, and a CD Giveaway from, the wonderful Boyer Sisters

Over the years, I've had the immense pleasure of chatting many individuals and even one fabulous couple here on my blog, but today is the first time I've sat down with not one, not two, but three fantastic individuals for an people for the same interview post.

Specifically, I'm talking about none other than the dynamic, inspiring and very lovely Boyer Sisters, who many of you may be acquainted with through their stellar vintage fashion, sewing and lifestyle site, The Boyer Family Singers Blog.




Whether you're just meeting this trio of talented ladies for the the first time right this very moment or have been firm fans of theirs for some time now, I'm sure that you'll adore today's rapid fire style interview with these three delightful women.

Gift vocalists each, the Boyer Sisters - a swing era style musical harmony group comprised of three actual sisters, Jessica, Charlotte and Brigid, respectively - have been preforming together since 2008 (when they were all still young children spanning in age from 9 - 13) and have developed a distinct and deeply lovely sound that channels the the spirit of the big band days to no end.

The Sisters perform at many events and venues around America, including some involving WWII veterans, and just released their first ever, eponymously named, full length album last year (to learn more about the Boyer Sisters music, be sure to check out their website devoted to such).

As if that wasn't enough to keep anyone on their toes, the Sisters also run a frequently updated and immensely lovely blog, which includes a vast array of posts spanning topics as diverse as sewing projects to their faith, birthday celebrations to "what I wore" style outfit entries.

I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with the Brigid, Jessica and Charlotte in various capacities for a few years now and can honestly say that they are some of the sweetest, nicest, and most kind hearted folks I've ever encountered online or off.

These passionate young ladies bring grace, elegance, and a deep reverence to the past in all that they say and do online and with their music, and I feel truly honoured to have the opportunity to not only interview them, but to offer one lucky Chronically Vintage reader the chance to win their very own copy of the Boyer Sister's CD, here today.

Read on to learn more about the Boyer Sisters (who are each referred to by their first initial throughout this interview), their music, vintage wardrobes, dreams for the future, and so much more - then enter, below the interview, for you chance to win a copy of their toe tappingly fantastic CD.



1. What was the driving force behind the creation of your blog?


All: The driving force behind starting our blog was the inspiration that we gathered from other vintage, sewing and fashion bloggers, such as you, Jessica, and the realization that we had thoughts and opinions of our own that we wanted to share. So really it started as a blog for "us" in a way, and grew into something that was a way for us to minister to, and encourage, others.




2. Fashion, chiefly vintage fashion, is a key element of your website. How important is it to you to balance outfit/wardrobe related posts with other types of entries? Do you try to portion things out in a fairly set way (e.g., 50% fashion related posts, 50% other types of posts) or just let things flow organically there?

C: Overall, we schedule out our posts two weeks in advance and try and have at least one type of post out of each category that we blog about; Fashion, Creativity, Lifestyle, and Beauty, in each week. What we post is very organic in content, and we will trade off who will write up a fashion post each week. If it comes to me to do a fashion related post, typically I will do an outfit post, unless I have a fun, creative fashion idea that I want to share.


B: I am "the seamstress" of the blog, so I find it harder to balance fashion related posts with "What I Made" posts, since, for me, the creativity of sewing is inseparably linked to fashion. Generally what ends up happening is I will share an outfit post, unless I have something new that I have made, in which case any typical outfit post for me is thrown out the window in favor of sharing my latest creation.


J: I will say that if I don't have anything new to share, be it a new outfit combination, something I have bought that I love and want to share, or something that I have made, I will typically opt for a post that is more uplifting and encouraging to our readers. I try to be more sensitive, thoughtful, and encouraging, making sure that my life isn't always represented by fashion, but is represented by the fact that I care about other people and want to minister to, and uplift them, in any way I can.



3. What has been one or two of the best/most rewarding things about blogging for each of you?

J: For me, it would definitely be gaining a host of new friends from all over the country (and the world) who, if they are not so completely similar in their thinking, are encouraged to try new things through our example.


B: The most rewarding thing for me has been connecting with our readers, and gaining encouragement from the community that has grown up around our blog. It always brings a smile to my face when I receive a comment on a post, whether it be sewing or fashion related, saying that I have inspired someone to try something new, or revived an old dream that they forgot they ever had. Being able to encourage others touches me in a way that nothing else can.


C: My answer is very similar to my sisters. Just receiving comments, letters, and emails, hearing from our readers that we have touched them and inspired them to do things they were unsure of, or try new hobbies and new pursuits, that has been the most rewarding part of blogging.



4. Would you say that it's easier, harder or about the same to have three people run one blog than it is for just a single individual to do so?

B: I would definitely say it is easier to have three people running a blog. While we don't always get along and agree on everything, we each have different talents and gifts that we can use to help one another, and we can depend on each other to fill in the gaps when life and the blog become too much to handle collectively.


J: It is easier for a person like me, who is not remotely interested in coding, to have someone like Charlotte who can provide such a wonderful platform to work on. And it is hard trying to keep up with my sisters' creativity, while not always being able to do so.


C: It is easier in the respect that you have three people who think quite similarly coming up with content, so we don't have too hard of a time sticking with our blog vision. And also, we are able to blog frequently because we have three people working together to make things happen. It is harder in the sense that each of us do have to get along with two other people, and we have to work in harmony to make our goals possible, as opposed to just dealing with yourself. It is always more of a hassle dealing with other people than just being responsible to yourself.




5. What are each of your favourite time periods and why?

C: My favorite time period would be WW2. Nothing was perfect back in that era, nothing ever has been perfect! But the courage and valiance that the men and women showed back in that time is something to be admired, and from which I think we can find much to emulate. Besides the graver side of things, the fashions and music of that era were pretty spot on. ;)


B: There are several different eras in history that I admire, but the time period that I connect with the most is definitely the era surrounding WW2. As Charlotte said, the folks in that time had to have so much courage and tenacity to make it through those years, and I think we had a better sense of community then, than we do now. And I will just echo what Charlotte said, and say that the music and fashions were pretty swell too.


J: Laura Ingalls’ time when everyone was settling "out west" holds a special place in my heart, because we are from the western coast of the United States. If those folks had never ventured forth into the great unknown, we would never have had our home in the beautiful state of Washington (though we now live in the great Midwest in the state of Ohio), and their courage and fortitude were the inspiration that led to some of my favorite books that I have read.



6. In a few words (or lines), how would you each define your current styles?

J: Sturdy and reliable, natural, and tasteful.


C: Vintage-meets-modern, eclectic, with pops of color and a minimalist twist.


B: Authentic, ladylike, and eccentric.



7. What are some of each of your dreams and goals for the next five years of your life?

C: I've always had a dream of sharing my photography skills & web/graphic design know-how with a broader audience than just our blog, so starting a business with one (or both) of those hobbies is definitely a goal of mine. I would love to further pursue singing opera/Broadway style music outside of our girls' current career as 1940s-style performers, and I have always had the desire of becoming a wife and mother, so we'll see what happens with that :)


J: Oh, ho ho! You're talking to the girl who very much dislikes to plan for things, and rather likes to "go with the flow", if you will, of life and whatever it will bring. Having said that though, I have just picked up drawing again, so I hope to infuse that creative pursuit more heavily with the work I do on the blog. Besides this, I have begun to thoroughly enjoy the sport of running, and by the time the next five years is over I hope to have run a couple 5ks in the least. I have also just picked up a new Frank Sinatra book to study for voice, and I hope to incorporate those classic bluesy songs in with the shows the girls and I do already, if not to go out and do some solo work on my own. And to parrot Charlotte, I too greatly desire to be a wife and a mother, and pray fervently that that desire will be answered by the Lord someday soon.


B: To get married is definitely top of the list for me in the way of hopes and dreams. :) Aside from that dream of being a wife and mother, growing my ePattern business, Brijee Patterns, is going to be a focal point for me for the next few years. I always dreamed of having my own dressmaking business, but after realizing I am not cut out for the high-stress demands of that line of work, creating sewing patterns for other people to make clothing from has become a dream and passion of mine. We will see where I go in the days ahead.



8. You've grown a wonderful and impressive blog following. Do you have any tips in regard for those who may just be starting out or who are looking to grow the reach of their own blogs?

All: Connect with your readers! Open up just enough for them to really get to know you and feel like they are reading the blog of a friend, not just "a blogger". Be personal, but be tasteful about it (as another blogger, Elsie of A Beautiful Mess, put it: your blog is not your best friend).

Create a blog vision and stick to it, and always try to keep quality over quantity. People are attracted to bloggers that take time and energy to post and curate their content.




9. What are five things that bring you each joy?

C: Music (Frank Sinatra all day, every day :); creating something unique and beautiful; a sunny, blue sky; singing anything from Phantom of the Opera; performing in front of crowds, and bringing them joy.


B: Making music: Whether it be playing the piano and letting the tunes flow from my head to my fingers, or singing a tune as I go through my day; Sewing: watching a garment grow with every stitch; Cooking and baking: being able to experience that sense of satisfaction when you have made something delicious for everyone to enjoy; Learning something new: Whether it be history or homemaking related, I love discovering new things; Watching a child learn and the light that comes into their eyes when they understand something for the first time.


J: Being outside doing some recreational activities like walking, running, badminton, and bird watching, or doing something useful like gardening; drawing; singing with my sisters; having a heart to heart chat with somebody I love, be it a family member or friend.



10. Sewing is an integral part of your blog. How did you each get into this timeless art and what are some of your favourite types of garments to create?

B: When I was seven years old I asked my Mom to teach me what she knew about sewing. It started with making doll clothes, and after my skill grew from attending two summer sewing camps, I started making dolls as well. It was actually doll-making that drew me into the world of fashion history, which in turn prompted me to start sewing my own clothes in the styles that I couldn't find anywhere else.

My favorite type of garment to make... Oh, that is so hard to decide because I don't like making the same thing twice, and I enjoy the challenge each type of garment brings with it. The choice would probably be between skirts and dresses. Skirts because they are so simple and quick to make, and dresses because there are so many details that you can put into them.


C: I got into sewing through my Mom & sister Brigid :) One day I decided that it was something I wanted to learn, and the rest is history! I love sewing dresses, mostly. With the perfect fabric & design, it is such a joy to put in hours on a single dress, finishing each seam, fitting it just perfectly, and adding those bits and pieces that make it something special and magical to wear.


J: Like Charlotte, I too was encouraged and influenced by Brigi and Mom to sew, though I hopped on the bandwagon last. Before I made the commitment to learn the art, Mom was always the one to sew my clothes. After a while though, I began to realize that Mom and I did not share the same standards of perfection when it came to making a garment, and so I finally committed to making my own clothes so that they would be made exactly the way I wanted them, without any short cuts.

Don't take me wrong, Mom has always done a fine job of sewing for my sisters and I, but she isn't one for detail work like I am. And for me, if I have the time, making sure that even the smallest of details is done to perfection is one of my greatest joys in sewing. You could call me a snail when it comes to making up my own garments and I would agree with you. ;)



11. Can you each please share a hidden talent with us (aka, something that you haven't really discussed on your blog and that it might surprise people to learn about you)?

C: I love singing Broadway and opera music! I'm a bit of an actress at heart, so expressing emotion through song is a huge passion of mine, and the operatic Broadway style has a special place in my heart.


J: My "hidden talent" is derived from being able to look at something and then translate it onto paper or a 3d medium (such as clay) and make an exact copy of the object I am looking at. I mentioned above that one of my joys in life is drawing, and after recently having picked up that art form after neglecting it through high school, I am more inclined to say that art done with a pencil and paper, brush and paint, clay and tools resonates more with me than sewing ever will. As the months go on, I hope to share this talent on the blog, and reveal a side of Jessica Boyer that most people didn't know before.


B: I mentioned above that I love to play the piano. I have been studying the art since I was six years old, and I find such great joy in being able to just sit down at that instrument and make music go floating through the air. The moods that you can express and create are as limitless as the feelings that you have everyday, and, being an introvert, being able to "have a discussion" with myself, or praying through music, by playing the piano has helped me to work through many problems and conundrums.



12. And last, but certainly not least, what is it like having not one, but two other sisters who each share your passion for the past, sewing, and numerous other elements of life?

C: Not to sound cliché, but it's a true blessing in every sense of the word. We have our days when we just want to pull each other's hair out, but that's life. Having two other people who you've grown up with, share similar passions with, and just be best-friends with is a gift that I don't deserve, but am so grateful for.


B: It is nothing but a joy. We may get on each other's nerves at times, but I couldn't imagine life without Jessica and Charlotte. We pull each other up when we our down, and push each other off of the volcanoes of conceit that we inevitably find ourselves walking on at times. It is especially a blessing for me because I have two people to sound off my creative ideas with.

Sharing a passion for the past has led to interesting discoveries because we come at a subject from three different angles, and my sisters will think of things that I never would have myself. "A threefold cord is not easily broken" is our blog verse, and there never could be a saying that was more true. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the blessing of my two sisters, and I know they would say the same of me.


J: I couldn't have asked for better sisters than what the Lord has so graciously given to me. Being the eldest it is natural to take the leading stance, but as time has gone on, our age difference has all but disappeared in my mind, and I view my sisters as my equals whereas I used to not in my younger years. Truth to tell, it has been amazing to watch my sisters come into their own persons, albeit we all influence each other, but we still have very different personalities and characters that clash just as much as they compliment.

For everything I am so grateful, especially for our parent's stressing the need for us to work together. If it weren't for this, we would never be where we are today, singing and blogging three people strong.

♥ ♥ ♥

Giveaway Details:
This giveaway is for one physical copy of the Boyer Sisters CD, which will be mailed to you directly from the Sisters themselves. It starts today (May 16th) and runs until 11:59 PST on Monday May 23rd.

It open to participants from around the world and you are welcome to enter using as many of the following twelve different methods as you desire. The only one of which is mandatory to take part in this giveaway is that you leave a comment on this post telling me about your favourite type of vintage music.

If you have any questions about this giveaway, please don't hesitate to contact me via email.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

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From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Jessica, Charlotte and Brigid for this fabulous interview, as well as for generously offering one lucky Chronically Vintage reader the chance to win a copy of their truly excellent CD.

Best of luck to all those who enter - and to the Boyer Sisters themselves, with their music, blog and all other areas of their lives.

You ladies are an inspiration on so many fronts, a breath of fresh air in today's world, gifted musicians, and an absolutely sincere pleasure to know.

The curse, and blessing, of being eclectic

The hours is late as I pen these words. Dawn has not yet broke as gossamer threads of moonlight bounce off the barren branches of our neighbour's stately tree right outside our front door. There are several posts of time sensitive nature I could be writing at the moment, but I am tired and know that they can all wait until later in the day/week, after I've nabbed a little sleep. Not this one though.

I've been blogging long enough (very nearly seven years on this blog alone, several more if we reach back further in time to sites that no longer exist) to know that sometimes when the spark of inspiration for a strikes one must set about composing immediately or risk being left with the lingering feeling that something great, important or poignant has passed you by. Like realizing you missed seeing someone you cared about for the first time in years by a matter of minutes.

I'm the sort of person who does a great deal of introspective thinking. I analyze my thoughts, my actions, my emotions, my conversations, my passions, my relationships, my dreams, my fears, and just about anything else that I experience. Not obsessively, of course, but certainly with a heavy hand and for the most part, I'm grateful that I operate this way. I think that it stems in part from being a shy, quiet introvert, but know that there are many roots of such and have always found it a comforting trait to possess.

Last year in particular, I thought very frequently about who I am at this present stage in my life, what I like, what defines me, and how I portray myself to the world. I have known since early childhood that my tastes were powerfully eclectic and am generally a-okay with that.

Having a wide array of loves, interests, and (if one can find the time) hobbies keeps life fresh and fun. It means you always have an answer at the ready for what you want to do, buy, see, experience, and even taste next. It ensures I'm never bored, can reply to the question of "what would you like for your birthday/anniversary/Christmas gift" at the speed of light, and has helped me to move with relative ease amongst numerous specific interest groups and subcultures throughout my life.

Yet being eclectic can also have its downsides in a sense. For one, because I have so many likes and interests (some of which I've never even so much as mentioned on this site), it is often easier to stick largely with one and let it define you in so many different ways.

This isn't a negative per se at all, and I don't mean to paint it has such, but rather I wish to speak to the fact that when one is so largely focused on a certain topic, it can, at times, feel like some of the others in your life fall to the wayside or, worse, get left (unintentionally) in the dust all together. It is easy to lose yourself when you are consumed by love, be that for a person, a thing, a timeframe, a place, a way of life or just about anything else.

Or, if not lose entirely, than start to appear rather one-sided. Back in the summer of 2014, on the eve of my birthday, I wrote a post called Thoughts on who I am as I turn 30. This entry has stood out for me ever sense and was a catalyst for further thoughts pertaining to who, in fact, I am, what I love, how the world sees me (online, at least), and some of the way in which I might want to change various things.

The simple truth of the matter is, once you've perceived a certain way - even when that way is wonderfully positive - it can be hard to change or to let other sides of your personality and spectrum of interests shine through, and at times it is even illogical and/or detrimental to do so.



{Being eclectic means that at almost all times, you are only able to show a portion, be it large or small, of who you are and what you love to world. There are perks and downsides to this, as touched on in today's post, but in the end, I'm grateful to have a plethora of passions and enjoy continuing to add new ones to the roster as time goes on. Vintage woman with a hand mirror photo source.}


If I could go back in time to the birth of this blog in April 2009, there are numerous things I would do differently - not the least of which is to include a wider array of my interests and hobbies as part of it. There's nothing to say I still can't, but just as one would be perplexed if they showed up at the Great Wall of China and saw Sphinx of Eiffel Tower themed souvenirs being sold, so too does one have a certain natural path to follow once they've been running a successful blog on a given topic for a long time.

Yet that is easy to say - hindsight and all that jazz. For, eclectic though I may be, I am not the same person I was nearly seven years ago. A staggering number of things, many for the better, have changed in my life since then. I'm older and bolder alike. I've grown in innumerable ways and some of the interests I had then are now just pleasant memories or things that are touched on once in a blue moon. Others are with me still, naturally, and it should go without saying that vintage and all that it encompasses is certainly one of them.

I can't fathom that I would ever stop loving vintage, antiques, history and genealogy. These are embedded passions that have been with me since my earliest days. Yet they are not all of who I am and what I love, and I often struggle with ways to let some of those other parts of my eclectic soul shine through, be it on my blog, in my wardrobe, through my decor choices, and in other areas of my world alike.

Perhaps, to a degree, many of us do. I don't claim to be alone here and am not leading this post in the direction of some great epiphany on the subject, for none has been forthcoming, no matter how much I've thought, reflected and even meditated on the topic.

The focus of this blog is, and always be, vintage, and I love that. However, at the same time, I also sincerely hope that as the years continue to roll on, I can find ways to weave more and more of my interests, my passions, my beliefs, and my soul itself into my posts here, too.

There are, as with so much in this world, pros and cons alike to being eclectic - to loving a great many things with a huge part of your heart/mind/spirit. Ultimately though, I have always felt, at the end of the day, the blessings outweigh the negatives and I think, no, I know, that having such a wide breadth of interests is a huge part of why I've been able to keep this blog going strong for the better part of seven years now.

So if that means certain sides of myself remain under wraps or aren’t overly represented here, ultimately, I have come to realize, so be it. They're still with me, still shaping my life, and who knows, perhaps some of them are even waiting just around the corner to be blogged about in the wee hours of another sleepy, moonlit night.

Meet Kate Dutcher: The stylish jazz age wearing, passionate pet mama behind the blog Retro Rover

When this month began and my laptop died on the first of the month, I feared (especially once I knew that my new one would need to be ordered online and that it wouldn't arrive until around the end of February) that my usual monthly "Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger" interview post might not happen.

Thankfully, this month's interviewee was very understanding about the whole situation, especially since she herself is presently making due without a working computer or iPad.

Between our respective cell phones, we were able to swap questions back and forth and I'm delighted to report that even with all of the unforeseen bumps in the road this month, I was still able to carry on as planned and interview none other than Katherine (aka, Kate) Dutcher from the marvelous blog Retro Rover.

Kate is one of those highly cool people whose interests span a diverse and engaging spectrum of different areas. Not only is she a passionate 1920s - 1960s vintage wearer, but she and her husband are awesome parents to a number pets, including several adorable dogs (so hence the "rover" part of her blog's name), plus she adores classic cinema, Star Trek, kitschy collectibles, and oodles more, all while holding down a career in the highly commendable field of special needs education.

As well, Kate is an active blogger and blog commenter alike, the latter of which I always admire so much in my fellow vintage bloggers.

She's kind, sweet, passionate, loads of fun, stylish, and a supporter of my Etsy shop to boot, so it was with no small amount of joy that I posed the following selection of questions to Kate this month and then lapped up her terrific answers!

Read on to find out (p)oodles more about this fabulous vintage sporting, critter adoring, kitsch collecting lady behind Retro Rover.

Your blog is a wonderful marriage of two of the most important elements of your life: your dogs and your love of vintage. Was it a conscious decision to combine the two or did it come about more organically? 

It was definitely a conscious decision. In 2011 I started a dog blog, Urban Hounds, about my pets. As time went on and I blogged more and more, I started to like the idea of blogging about one of my other obsessions, vintage clothing. In May of 2013, I started a second blog about my love of vintage, that I originally called 'The Old Fashioned Way'. I kept up both blogs for about five months, but it was tough maintaining two blogs. In December of 2013, I decided to combine them both and I created Retro Rover. 

What are some of the elements of vintage that really draw you to it? 

I’ve always liked images, objects, and clothing with an element of whimsy and fun, most utilitarian modern clothing is totally lacking this. However, vintage clothing, as well as vintage reproductions, has it in spades. I’m also a sucker for details, like a pretty button or a bow at the neck of a dress.  I find that these sorts of flourishes are prevalent in vintage styles. 

When did you first begin wearing vintage styles? 

I’ve had elements of vintage style in my wardrobe since I attended high school in the early 1990s.  I used to love shopping in thrift stores for vintage bits and bobs that I’d work into my wardrobe.  Occasionally  I even wore full-on vintage. For example, I wore a 1940s dress to my high school graduation. When I got married at age 23, I wore a 1920s style veil and the wedding definitely had a vintage feel. In my 20s and early 30s, I continued to have vintage elements in my wardrobe, but I didn’t really embrace full on vintage until I turned 34. 

That was when I discovered vintage style blogs, including yours, plus Etsy and various repro companies. I realized there where lots of people dressing just like I had always wanted to. I decided that I wasn’t getting any younger and it was now or never. I made a vow that from them on I’d dress only to please myself and I set about creating a vintage wardrobe.

I’m nearly 38 now, quite a bit older then most vintage bloggers, but I think my age has given me the confidence I lacked when I was younger to wear more "out there" styles. For example, in my 20s and early 30s, I would have been embarrassed to wear a giant 1940s hat. It also helps that my finances are better now and I have more funds to spend on my hobby.

How has your personal fashion sense changed/evolved since then?

When I first got really into vintage I was pretty much all about the 1920s and 1930s. I was really inspired by images and films from the era. As time went on, I became more interested in the 1940s, mostly because the hats are so incredibly fabulous! Lately, I’ve been dipping into the 1950s and 60s, as well, and I’m particularly drawn to the kitschy accessories from this era such as novelty offerings. 

You're a big fan of ordering from independent seamstresses on sites like Etsy. What are some of your favorite such sources for old school style clothing?  

I have some gorgeous custom things from Sew Vintage Seamstress. I also love Swell Dame, Jitterbuggin, and Nudee Dudee who are all on Etsy. I have some things from Time Machine Vintage on Facebook, as well as Girl in a Whirl, who is on Facebook and Etsy. She makes amazing 1950s style novelty skirts! 

Any advice you wish someone would have told you about doing so before you started shopping from indie repro brands?

Of course it varies by the seller but it can take a long time to have something custom made.  I’ve waited up to 6 months for a custom dress.  So its very important to plan ahead if you need something for a special event.  Its also a good idea to make sure the seller is totally established and reputable.  I’ve been burned once by a seller who never sent my custom sweater order.  

Another huge love of yours is old movies, which also feature heavily on your blog. What are five vintage movies that you could watch over and over again a hundred times and never get tired of?  Oh my gosh its so hard for me to narrow it down to just five, but here it goes.

1)  It, 1927, with Clara Bow. I think this is a great silent movie for beginners to silent film. It's very entertaining and easy to follow and Clara lights up the screen.

2)   Dracula, 1931, with Bela Lugosi. I’m a big Lugosi fan and this is of course his best film.  

3)   It’s A Gift, 1934, with WC Fields. This is the one of the funniest movies I have ever seen and it manages to hold up wonderfully even 80 years after it was made.

4)   Top Hat, 1935, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. I love all of the Astaire and Rogers films, and this is probably the definitive one. 

5)   Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan. I suppose 1982 is vintage enough. I’m a huge trekkie and this is my favorite Star Trek film.  I love that Ricardo Montalban is in it. 

Are there any points that strike you as being much better about vintage movies than modern day ones? And vice verce,  to your mind, do 21st century movies beat those from past eras on any fronts?

I’m a big science fiction, fantasy, and horror fan and one thing I notice is that while modern films have amazing special effects, it is sometimes at the expense of the story. 

I really love the ingenuity of classic science fiction in regards to special effects and make up, they made do with what they had and came up with incredible things. The best example I can think of in this regard is Boris Karlof’s iconic make up in the 1931 classic, Frankenstein. 

You also adore many different TV shows. What are some of your all-time favourites?  

My all time favorite show is definitely Star Trek.  I love all of the Trek series but my favorite is the 1960s original.  I love everything about it from the costumes and sets to the story telling and philosophy. I also love the Twilight Zones. Most of the other shows I love are from the 1990s or early 2000s, such as Mystery Science Theatre 3000, Twin Peaks, The X Files, and Futurama. 

Any series that you've discovered in the past couple of years that you've really connected with?  

Well its been on for 11 years now so its not quite new but I love Supernatural. I also like the Miss Fisher Mysteries a lot and I think the new Muppet show is wonderful, too. 

When it comes to vintage fashion, you often gravitate towards the 1920s, 30s and early 40s. Are there any particular reasons why this time frame speaks so deeply to you?  

My late dad was a huge fan of Fred Astaire so I grew up watching the Astaire and Rogers films as well as lots of other musicals and films. He also introduced me to the comic author PG Wodehouse.  Wodehouse’s stories are all set during the 1920s and 30s. So I think it was being exposed to stories and films from that era at an early age that drew me to the styles of those periods. 

Who are some of your favourite style icons from that era?

From the 1920s, I adore Clara Bow. She has such a fun, exuberant, and approachable style and she always looked comfortable with herself.  It also helps that she was born in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, which is where my husband is from. 

From the 1930s, I love Ginger Rogers. She always had amazing outfits and she wore a wide range of styles, and of course Fred Astaire always looked amazing.  Esther Williams is my favorite from the 1940s.  I think her 1949 film Neptune’s Daughter with Ricardo Montalban is one of the most stylish films ever made. 

If you could only wear the fashions of one continuous five years period (e.g., 1930 - 1935) for the rest of your life, what would you pick and why?

I had to get out my 1930s Style Sourcebook to answer this question and I choose 1930-1935.  I love the day wear from this period, beach pajamas and simple bias cut dresses.  I think such looks were flattering and comfortable. 

Are you a big fan of accessorizing and if so, what are some of your favourite types of accessories (including jewelry)?

I’m definitely a huge fan of accessorizing. In fact, it is my love of hats that first really drew me to vintage. I think the right accessories absolutely make the outfit. Of course I love all types of hats and I’m a big fan of fun novelty purses. 

As far as jewelry goes, I quite like Bakelite bangles and vintage brooches. I’m a sucker for any accessory with a dog or cat on it.  One thing I have no interest in is precious jewels - I’d take Bakelite over diamonds any day!

Have you had many opportunities to interact with others in the vintage/rockabilly subculture where you live?

Unfortunately not at all. The only people I know who are into the vintage scene are people I know through social media. I am a homebody though, so I don’t go out that much and while I love to watch dancing, I don’t dance myself.

Your husband doesn't wear vintage. However, are there other other elements of the past that he particularly enjoys?

When  I first met my husband twenty years ago, I was much less into vintage then I am today, my obsession has definitely grown! We do share a mutual fondness for old movies.  For example, we named our first pet, our cat, Baby, who is now 16 years old, after the leopard in 1938’s Bringing Up Baby.

What are some of your favourite things (vintage or otherwise) to collect?

I love to collect kitschy vintage novelty purses, I have about ten now and I display them in my home, as well as use them. I have a collection books from the Victorian Era through the 1950s that I also display. 

I don’t do it often as there are not many affordable ones in my area, but I love going to thrift stores and looking for pyrex and kitschy vintage bits and bobs.  I’d love to collect more vintage Star Trek stuff, but its hard to come by and can be pricey.

For those who aren't familiar with your blog, please tell us how many pets you currently have.

We have 9! 5 dogs: Ping a 12 year old female pug, Bob an 8 year old English bulldog, Weasley a 3 year old male pug, Philip J. Fry (called Fry) a  1 year old pug, and Mr. Tuvok a 1 year old toy poodle. Our four cats are 16 year old Baby, a female, 14 year old Scooter, a male, 12 year old Ernie, and one year old Spot.

Are there any types of animals that you'd like to keep as a pet, but which you've not yet had the chance to do so?

Our current cats are all rescues or foundlings so they are American Short hairs, but I definitely plan on owning a hairless Sphynx cat one day as well as an Exotic short hair cat. I’d love an Angora rabbit, but I don’t think  I could convince my husband or the cats! 

What is your day job and does it allow you to wear vintage while at work?

I’m a high school special education teacher. I work with students with significant intellectual disabilities in a self contained classroom, which means I have the same 12 students all day long. I do wear vintage or vintage inspired looks to work every day. 

I might not wear my most elaborate hats or delicate dresses, but I regularly wear things like a simple 1930s style dress or 1940s style slacks and a sweater.  My eccentric sense of style is well known around the school and often commented on by staff and students. 

Can you share five cool things about yourself that most of your blog readers wouldn't know about you?  

This is a little hard because I’m kind of an open book but  here we go:

1) I love vintage style  but I don’t consider myself old fashioned by any means. I wouldn’t want to travel back in time to a past era and I try not to over romanticize the past. I’m pretty happy in 2016, we have our problems but they did in earlier eras, too.

2) I’ve been married for 14 years and together with my husband for 19 years - he was my first boyfriend. I’m certainly beyond lucky to have found him and have him put up with me! 

3) My blog is somewhat inspired by my late dad.  He passed away four years ago and he really instilled in me my love of vintage because of his passion for old movies.  He always encouraged all of my interests and in some ways my blog is a supplement for the conversations we used to have.

4) I’m pretty shy and not very social, and despite my "out there" vintage outfits, I don’t really like to attract attention. I’m very much a homebody and I’m often more comfortable interacting with people through social media then I am face-to-face. On Saturday night you will always find me at home on the couch with my dogs and my husband watching TV, eating pizza and drinking wine. You’ll never see me at a party.

5) I’m the most scatter brained person on earth and would easily lose my head if it wasn’t attached!

What are you looking forward to on the vintage front for 2016? 

Well I’m not planning on going to any events or anything, but I am planning on adding some things to my wardrobe.  I’m getting more into 1950s and 60s looks and I’m planning on adding some fun pieces from this era to my treasure trove.

And, last but certainly not least, what would your "holy grail" of vintage items be?  

Oh my , so many things! 1) I'd love an authentic pair of 1930s beach pajamas; I already have some reproductions.  2) Something from the 1920s Egyptian revival like a dress or jewelry. 3) A 1940s 1950s high school or college pennant sweater. 4)  A 1930s, 40s, or 50s coolie hat.  5) Something with an atomic print from the 1950s.

Connect with Kate on: 

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Meet the past interviewees who have taken part in this delightful ongoing post series:

February 2015: Emileigh | March 2015: CiCi | April 2015: Helen Mae | May 2015: Esther | June 2015: Ms. Falcon |July 2015: Jessie, and Laurence & Sylvain | August 2015: Holly | September 2015: Rhia | October 2015: Franny | November 2015: Emily | December 2015: Porcelina | January 2016: Nora

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Thank you very much for the great interview, Kate. I adored getting to know you - and your precious pets - even better and really appreciate that even with your own computer related issues, we were still able to make this post happen.

Delightfully, next month will see - on paper at least - the return of spring and with it will come another exciting installment in the fun Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger post series.

Due to unexpectedly being computer-less this month, I've had to shift lot of my posts for February and March around and rejig some blogging plans, so I'm not a million percent certain yet who next month's interviewee will be, but I'm sure that they'll be be inspiring, fashionable, and a blast to chat with, too! :)