December 19th, 2009 | Author: admin
image above by axioo photography
I’ve been pondering more about this retro 1950′s and 1960′s craze. On my last post Jeannett commented..
“i actually read an article about that…that our generation is the generation that grew up with the 1980′s super-mom…the mom with the career and the bulky shoulder pads…so we were the latchkey kids…and whether consciously or sub consciously we didn’t like it. We realize that it’s not possible to do it all, so the pendulum is swinging back to the stay at home mom with homemade gear…rather than the boxed dinners, catalog orders, etc.”
I totally agree that social norms have changed a lot since the business/ power-mom of the 1980′s. Woman’s roles have changed. The 80′s were all about equality, pant suits, tough career woman and big hair. Today powerful woman can be leaders,and also look femine. You’re not “selling out” by wearing heels and cute vintage skirt. Some of the best female bosses I’ve worked for could be strong and courageous, but also warm, frilly and a bit motherly. Woman can be “tough”, but not have look “tough”, or be forced to enjoy all the things guys enjoy. Hopefully we’ve learned from our parents that money can’t buy happiness and you don’t earn your kids respect by your career but by having a relationship with them. We’ve swung back towards stay at home moms, where it’s now socially cool to knit, quilt and be crafty. (The Martha Stewart phenomenon.)
Today’s generation is looking for authenticity, and something “real”. In a world of facades and fake everything, handmade gifts become special and reality TV is king. On one hand we want to be oh-so sophisticated and yet to be super chic is to really go back to enjoy the simplest of pleasures, a loving home, wholesome home grown food, friends and neighbors who actually know your name, and being part of a community bigger than yourself. In a society that is more and more isolating, real relationships become very precious. When it seems everyone wants their 3 seconds of fame, we realize we’re rather be an Audry Hepburn than a Paris Hilton! So here’s to lacey dresses, vintage veils and giving handmade jam away for guests!
image above by Jose Villa
image via The Inspired Room
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