Time Warp, again

When I first heard of the Time Warp Wives special (by way of this article), I was immediately intrigued. Okay, it was basically the photos that got me (that kitchen!), and I resolved to watch the program myself. I saw it once on YouTube, and then it disappeared, much to my chagrin (I wanted to see the dressing room again). Since then, the program seemed to enrage many who took it at face value, leading to the ladies themselves speaking out about their misrepresentation. Now, a couple of years later, the program is back on YouTube and I finally got a second view.

In retrospect (no pun intended), it's pretty easy to see how manipulated the whole thing was. From the condescending narration to the Twilight Zone inspired music, I think it was pretty obvious that they were trying to paint the "time warp wives" as deluded fantasists. The narration is condescending and occasionally downright mocking. I'd be willing to be bet that the tea-time discussion about modern behaviors and values was the result of questioning by the host/producers. That said, I have to admit that I fail to understand the furor this program seemed to bring about in some corners of the internet. Are these people hurting anyone? Are they even so much as attempting to force their beliefs on others? Even if they were as out-of-touch as the article and program want you to think they are, I can't see how it would directly affect anyone who wasn't in personal contact with them. I sincerely doubt that the entire world of people with no interest in vintage will suddenly believe that all women who wear vintage clothing are completely removed from the modern world because of an exploitative one-shot, half-hour program.

Maybe I'm the wrong person to ask though, as I admittedly can relate to a fair deal of what the women themselves actually say. I'm not interested in clubs or drinking, and I pay very little attention to current pop culture or trends. It has nothing to do with trying to pretend it's another era -- these things just hold no appeal for me. It just so happens that I find the fashion, decor and media of a different time far more to my liking. Do I wish people could be more polite and respectful? Of course I do. It's not because I think that's the way people were in the past, but simply because I think it's nice when people are polite and respectful. I have no idea why people think these are old-fashioned concepts. While I can't speak for the women of Time Warp Wives, I can personally say that I (and I think many other vintage enthusiasts as well) prefer to combine the parts of the past I like (the clothes! the movies) with welcome modern advances (feminism! the internet!). There are many aspects of the '50s which I have no desire to ever recreate. Like so many things, living a "vintage lifestyle" is like a buffet -- you can choose the parts you like, but you don't need to take everything out on the table. But enough with my blathering...let's get on to the important stuff.

The dressing table!


The kitchen!