The Style Council! Jen Doward

This month's vintage lover is Jen Doward of Spokane, Washington. Jen lists her occupation as Writer/Model/Mommy/vintage Anything Hunter.

How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

Not nearly long enough! I believe the obsession started somewhere around two, maybe three years ago, when I realized that everything I was finding to wear was coming from thrift stores, estate sales, and online vintage clothing shops!

What got you into vintage clothing?

I met a lovely girl, with a lovely online vintage clothing store, that needed a lovely model for her clothes. She, apparently, thought I was lovely enough! And after seeing the beaucoup amounts of awesome-radness that she had collected over the years, it kick-started my own hunt.

What are your favorite eras of clothing?

Oooooh, 50's kitsch. I wish I could strut around downtown Spokane wearing a bright red, polka-dot garden party swing dress and heels without feeling like an attention hound! Although, I'm not gonna lie ... I'm a sucker for the 70's Boho Garden Child look. Gah! And the Rock-a-billy bubblegum-ish look of the late 40's and early 50's.

Who am I kidding? I love them all!   

What do you like about clothing from these eras?

I think my draw to the 50's is definitely the innocence of the era. The overall look of "everything's splendid, thanks!" It's all very alluring. And the 70's just fits my personality. The husband and I joke that we were born in the wrong era. Everything from the hippie-era ... well, almost everything! I'd say I definitely love the hippie-chic look. Flowy maxi dresses, mini dresses, cowgirl boots, vintage kaftans and tunics, flowery headpieces ... *gush—my heart swells!

Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

When I find an awesome piece, and I look at the tag ... they're my new favoritest vintage designer EVER! (Until I find the next piece, of course!)

Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

I have a hard time sticking with designers. I tend to move from one to the next pretty quickly. Especially since most of my shopping is done based on a specific item, not who designed it.

What would be your ultimate vintage find?

Right now, I would love, Love, LOVE to find a rack of vintage 40's & 50's slip dresses—ivory, satin, silk. The kind they just don't make anymore, that last forever and are about the cutest things on EARTH paired with boots, scarves, wraps, knit arm-warmers, and super-fun hair pretties! 

Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

YARD SALES!!!!! For being a fairly small city, Spokane is blessed with some AMAZING yard sales.

Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

It's definitely an up-and-coming thing around here—and catching on fast! Vintage-country weddings are all over the place lately!

Who are some of your favorite style icons?

So many to choose ... and no two are alike: Jackie O., Twiggy, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Bettie Page. I have a million more, but these are right off the top of my little brain. 

What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

Gidget! (I was obsessed with her in high school), Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina—are you sensing a common theme? I tend to gravitate towards the lovey-dovey, smoochy, fun, romantical stuff.

Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

   
I have this thing for aprons. Always have. My grandma, "Gooney Bird," used to have tons of them, all rick-racked and positively adorable! So yes, I collect them like a loon—by the dozens ... or by however much money I might have on-hand. I also dabble in sewing my own. Which in all reality, means I have several started and very few hanging ready-to-wear!

Thanks to Jen for answering our Style Council interview questions.

You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a quality photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my questions:

    - How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?
    - What got you into vintage clothing?
    - What are your favorite eras of clothing?
    - What do you like about clothing from these eras?
    - Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?
    - Who are some of your favorite modern designers?
    - What would be your ultimate vintage find?
    - Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?
    - Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?
    - Who are some of your favorite style icons?
    - What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?
    - Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

    Please also include your name, city and state or country of residence.

Comments

[Meghan]

Spokane is great for yard sales. Back in the day the thrifts had been really good too. I have one of my favorite vintage shirts from spokane about 10 years ago from a thrift for $1.25.