For many people, the idea of a vintage lifestyle is appealing. While not everything from that period was ideal, there were aspects of it that were very attractive, including living a simple life, observing old traditions like Sunday dinners, and spending time with family, as well as other areas such as cooking and repairing one’s items instead of succumbing to fast fashion. With this list, you’ll see how to adopt a vintage lifestyle and incorporate ‘old’ ideas in your life.
Cook
One of the biggest things about living a more vintage lifestyle is dining in and cooking from scratch. These days, that can be expensive, but there are ways to reduce the cost, including finding local farmers and utilizing coupons and other strategies. The idea is to limit your packaged foods and eating out. Instead of eating out all the time, it should be a treat that’s enjoyed less often.
Sewing
Back then, money was tight, just as it is now. People didn’t go out and buy new things if they couldn’t afford them, and that meant sewing. Women would sew, hem, and patch clothing so that their family could stretch their dollar further. That way, when the clothes couldn’t be worn anymore, they’d have had at least a decade’s worth of use.
Faith
Faith was another way families lived, and they would regularly attend church and be an active part of their community. Almost half of Americans, or more, attended church, and membership grew rapidly. It was believed that part of the reason was that people wanted to grow spiritually, focus on family and community, and experience a normal life after the war.
Finances
There was also an emphasis on living within your means, and there weren’t issues with social media, influencing, and overconsumption, although there were commercials telling you that you had to buy this hand cream or that appliance. Regardless, there was an importance placed on not living beyond your means and attempting to stay debt-free.
Music
Music is an expression of the soul for some people, and it acts as a huge time machine. Listen to the sounds of times gone by, whether your favorite decade is the ’20s, ’80s, or ’50s. Vinyl has seen a great resurgence in popularity, and if you want to feel like you’ve stepped back in time, a record player would be a great start.
Classics
There was a time in history when people had to wait months for a new book to come to their town, and certain people, like women, couldn’t buy specific books. That part is not ideal. However, if you want to adopt a vintage lifestyle, do some research on what books were available during that decade and attempt to read them.
Vintage Movies
Like music, movies resonate with people in a uniquely personal way. For instance, try films from the 1920s or other decades you like. The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, and Singing in the Rain are classic favorites that, believe it or not, many people haven’t seen. Spend a night immersing yourself in a different time.
Letters
No one writes letters anymore, at least not very often. But this is a great way to adopt something from the past that was a loving gesture and made people genuinely happy. Text messages can lead to misunderstandings, and it’s easy to get upset. A letter is more significant because you have to think carefully about your thoughts, and it has a more profound effect.
Interior
A fun way to make your life look different is to update your decor. You can tell when a house is retro or vintage, and it’s usually because of a different style. Each decade had its unique characteristics, and the styles were innovative and more varied. Consider how the people from your favorite decade modeled their home, and then see if you can either find something from that decade (which can get extremely expensive), find a replica, or DIY it.
Your Job
We’ll preface this by saying that not everyone can simply quit their job, and we’re not suggesting you should. However, if you have the option of adopting a vintage job or trade that dates back to earlier times, it could be a fun experience. Think of things like leatherworking, printing, or woodworking.
Be Present
Before the age of cell phones, people were present with their families. They would sit at the same table, eat a meal, and talk about their day. Now, families only do that once or twice a month or for a memorable holiday like Thanksgiving. While you may want to check your text messages immediately (we’re all guilty), it’s essential to put the phone down and be present with your loved ones.
Vintage Clothing
Some find vintage clothing silly, while others think it’s awesome. There was an elegant and sophisticated way of dressing back then, and it looked completely different from how we dress now. Depending on the era that you choose to emulate, you could feel like a dapper gentleman or an elegant woman. If you find authentic clothes from the period, they will be costly. Your best option for doing it within a budget is to go for vintage-inspired options.
Dishes
Vintage dishes are another great way to add a vintage touch to your home. Think about when you used to visit your grandmother’s house. Did she have the white and blue dishes that you had to be careful with? The vintage glass hen butter dish? All of these touches and dishes can be a great way to add a vintage vibe to your home. While some dishes can be more expensive, others are relatively inexpensive.
Gardening
If you live in an apartment, you’ll need to get creative with this one (consider growing on your balcony or in other areas if allowed). However, if you have the space and can do it, gardening is a great vintage life skill that can enhance your journey. Victory gardens were important during wartime, but they remained popular in the 1950s and afterward because they were a sign of outdoor living, practicality, and optimism following the war.
Dinner Party
Back then, families hosted dinner parties, and they were a lot of fun. You can emulate that and host one of your own. Even when they went through hard times and had little, they’d put on their best and make what they had. Music would be played, and dancing would ensue. It was about celebrating life and enjoying the moment.
Going Vintage
When you want to go vintage and start incorporating new things into your lifestyle, this list will serve as a great starting point. Estate sales are a great way to find items for a great price, and you’ll find that a lot of online sellers are more than happy to negotiate as well. Just be respectful and give them a fair offer. Happy hunting!
