In my experience, there are people of every scene where I live, from retro to trendy to whatever you can imagine. I love vintage style, but I love a lot of other things at the same time. That leaves me with the problem that I feel like I am a jack of all styles and master of none. I find myself wondering if maybe I should devote myself to one scene and become a master at that, so I can stop feeling like such a poseur. That is honestly how I feel sometimes. It's like I have fashion ADD. I am all over the place! One minute I am devoting myself to the vintage, then I decide to be goth for a few, the switch to 80's, then onto something else. ACK!                   

                     I guess the next obvious question would be, at least for me, when did you come out vintage?

I mean, a point where you were wearing vintage when it wasn't specifically a "vintage" occassion?  Or that point where you decided to wear vintage every day?  Especially you, ZSC.  I'm very interested!                    

                     Around 1977. I started wearing argyle sweaters, bowties, and saddle shoes during the disco days, when I was still in high school. Got the s--t beat out of me a couple of times, but fought back pretty viciously, too. Funny thing is that I've still got some of the bowties.

Retro is just a daily thing for me now. Almost all of my hats, ties, and other accessories are all vintage now. I just like 'em better!!                   

I guess the next obvious question would be, at least for me, when did you come out vintage?

                     ok, it's not that good, but it has it's benefits.  :wink:                   

                     velveteenidol-
Lots of places have a "scene", and that scene is made up of vastly different people who share similar interests.  Not all of them are nice, or at least not right away.  Some want to see that a "newbie" at least put some effort into a vintage look before they'll be forthcoming with tips, advice, or friendship.  I'm not saying they're right to do this, but it's the truth and I've probably been guilty of it once or twice myself.

So, my suggestions to you would be as follows:

1. Like most said, be yourself and make no apologies for it.  We at the Cafe love you no matter what you're wearing.

2. If you want to "do it right", do a little research on your own before you start peppering someone with questions.  If someone's been wearing a 60 year-old wool Army uniform all day in June, he might not be so freindly when that 15th question rolls around, especially if the answer is only a Google search away.

You are of course welcome and encouraged to pepper us with as many questions as you like, since we're all sitting in fornt of the computer in gym shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops.

TMBC                   

...since we're all sitting in front of the computer in gym shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops.

Lots of places have a "scene", and that scene is made up of vastly different people who share similar interests.  Not all of them are nice, or at least not right away.  Some want to see that a "newbie" at least put some effort into a vintage look before they'll be forthcoming with tips, advice, or friendship.  I'm not saying they're right to do this, but it's the truth and I've probably been guilty of it once or twice myself.

                     I look at what others are doing, consider my own beliefs/desires, then do my own thing, based on what the others are doing, or not. Some "scenes" allow for individual expression, within a common denominator, such as with hot rodding. Sure, there might be a plethora of (say) '32 Ford roadster highboys at a car show, but when ya get to looking closer, each builder/owner has done something their way, which sets it apart from all the other '32 Ford roadster highboys.

In this, I don't see becoming part of a scene as being as bad as "a bunch of lemmings," but a place for people with similar interests, a common denominator, to gather. Those of us that frequent The ATOMIC Cafe are part of a scene, and I don't see many "lemmings" around here. 

Matt                   

Am I  making myself clear?

                     Scenes?  There are scenes?  Certainly not in my Bop Dead neck of the woods!  The scene here is whatever I'm into at the time, although it is only a "scene of one", as no one I know is into what we call the Retro scene.  Besides, I'm terrified of clubs and parties.  (and the yuppies run everything where I am)

Marlowe                   

I've never really worried about scenes or who is a part of them. Dressing retro is more about how I want to represent the music I love and play...