From the Anti-Dresses Movement to Retro-Meets-South Asian Glamour
Once upon a time in the Netherlands, a teeny, tiny girl was born with a full head of hair. When she was 5, she would wear her last dress. She became part of the anti-dresses movement. They were way too girly, so she would recycle her brother’s shorts and t-shirts. A typical summer #ootd in 1993, 1995 AND 1998 would look like this: shorts with a bright print, a basic t-shirt, pink sunglasses and this girl was ready to rumble.
Groove Is in the Heart
In 1994, I got my very first radio. It was like a baby ghetto blaster. And it was literally a whole new world. I recorded so many songs on the cassette player, while often internally screaming because the radio DJs were talking during intros and endings. However, my love for music had risen. In the mid-’90s. MTV was all about the music (and commercial breaks every 10 minutes), but my vintage heart blossomed for the very first time. MTV had 1970s and 1980s weekends with the biggest artists of those eras and also one-day-but-good-day-flies. I was hooked and next to the ’90s music I grew up with, ’70s and ’80s music would forever be in my heart.
(Old) Bollywood Glamour
Flash-forward to my early teenage years and a lot of lazy Sundays. When I would finally get up to have some breakfast, my parents were watching (Old) Bollywood movies. I would usually join them and my breakfast would take almost as long as the movies. I was instantly intrigued with the looks of Indian actresses.‘Long, raven hair, do care’ was my first lesson. Old Bollywood actresses like Zeenat Aman & Parveen Babi fascinated me. Not only for their style, but also because they were ahead of their times back in the ’70s. Next to that, tops and pants were still my kind of glamour, so the glamorous Bollywood style attracted my eyes. I also loved the makeup. I was intrigued by the winged eyes, always on point. Add bright, vibrant colors and, last but not least, a hair flower and you’ve got yourself some (Old) Bollywood glamour. I also read a lot of Bollywood magazines at home. Or actually, I studied them to ‘up my makeup game’.
Questionable Makeup Decisions
I started experimenting with makeup when I went to highschool. Which also includes a period when I thought army green lipstick would create a marvelous look. Thankfully, these kind of questionable decisions could not be captured on camera in those days. After this episode, I came to my senses. I went from Great Lash Maybelline days to the looks that would become my trademark: winged eyes, red lips and a regular trip to oriental-inspired makeup looks.
From the Anti-Dresses Movement to Retro Glamour
So how did I go from the anti-dresses movement to retro glamour? It all started with my favorite subject in high school: History. I read my history books like a novel. In the early ’00s, I started watching Old Hollywood movies. This was around the time when you could finally google everyone without dial-up internet (you can hear that tone right?). From Marilyn Monroe to Ava Gardner. And from Grace Kelly to Rita Hayworth, Cary Grant and of course…Paul Newman. Googling information and learning about Old Hollywood was my favorite online activity and I also discovered less known rock & roll music of the 1950s and 1960s (thanks Google).
The first Old Hollywood movies I ever saw were Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Some Like It Hot and Hitchcock classics like The Birds, Rear Window and Psycho. Next to unforgettable and entertaining storylines, Old Hollywood movies have the best dialogues. Of course, I was also intrigued by the classy fashion of those bygone years, for both men and women. It was the total opposite of early ’90s and ’00s fashion. Vintage fashion, especially in the 1950s, was very feminine and tailored. Also the kind of fashion that you couldn’t buy anywhere in the early ’00s, because offline retro shops were non-existent and the online shopping world was still a tiny dot on the horizon.
My fashion turning point came when I graduated from high school. I needed something special for my graduation, because my closet was only stacked with non-glamorous pants, tops and sweaters. So, I had to go on a shopping spree. I wore a skirt to my graduation, but I also (re)discovered dresses. One piece of clothing and your outfit is practically done? Mind blowing.
Evolving Retro Fashion Style
In 2009, my style started to evolve because I started working full-time. I started applying the classic fashion style that I’ve seen in Old Hollywood movies to my offscreen world. I was already into online shopping and clothes were just a click away. I welcomed fitted pencil skirts, pencil dresses, hair flowers and of course hats to my closet. Slowly but surely I transformed my teenage wardrobe into a retro fashion wardrobe with so many dresses, that it would make the 5-year old me cry of deception. When I tell people nowadays that I loved the tomboy look, I need photo evidence to support that statement.
When it comes to retro fashion, I like to experiment with different eras. I usually have 1950s, 1960s or 1970s inspired looks, but I also love the 1920s and 1940s fashion and hairstyles. I own a few true vintage items. I have some vintage hats, but true vintage clothes are very delicate. I’m part of the ‘run to the train’ movement, so it’s more practical for me to wear retro clothes.
I mentioned Classic Hollywood vintage hairstyles earlier. I love them, but they can be challenging with my long, thick Indian hair. So, I usually turn to the oriental world for hair inspiration. On the other hand, I’ve joined some vintage hair challenges on Instagram recently and I was pleasantly surprised how much vintage hairstyles and updos you can create with really long hair. Also highly recommended as workout for your arm muscles.
Nowadays, I like to play around with makeup and hairstyles. It usually depends on the style I’m going for on a particular day. For example, when I’m in the 1950s mood or on a regular working day, I go for winged eyes and red lipstick. When I’m in the 1960s/1970s mood, I choose the sultry ‘kajal’ eyes look.
Opposites Attract
Another question that is inseparably linked with this lifestyle: “Why do you like vintage so much, life wasn’t a fairytale back then?” True, but it isn’t always a fairytale nowadays. I’ve always been grateful that I’ve been born in a time and country with a lot of freedom. Thanks to the digital world, you have your own channel(s) where you can let your voice be heard. I always refer to my ‘modern vintage lifestyle’. Two complete opposites in one phrase, but opposites attract. I appreciate the freedom and modern technology nowadays, but I love the music, movies and fashion of the old days. So, I’ve combined the best of all worlds: the positive aspects of the past and present, I added my oriental flavour and it grew into a lifestyle. In a certain way, I also see it as an opportunity to shine for those who couldn’t do that back in the day and I like to inspire others to do the same.
