Rose's Wardrobe Interview Lizzy from @lizzybennetpham
Emma Duncan
Rose’s Wardrobe chat to modern vintage muse, friend and model for RW, Lizzy, from @lizzybennetpham about what, when and why she started wearing vintage fashion.
WELCOME TO ROSE’S WARDROBE! PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF...
“Hello, my name is Lizzy. I’m from Vietnam, a small country in South East Asia. At the moment, I am a part-time content creator and a full-time vintage lover. I enjoy wearing vintage-inspired clothes because I find them very elegant and timeless. Besides, I want to inspire people to “buy less, choose well and make it last”. That’s how I found out about so many amazing sustainable brands, including Rose’s Wardrobe.”
Lizzy wearing Rose’s Wardrobe new ‘Josie’ dress (gifted to Lizzy), available in a range of colours and fabrics including this beautiful Sizzle - Hemp/organic cotton fabric.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO VINTAGE INSPIRED FASHION?
“I was born in a very traditional family so since I was a child, I have always been surrounded by modest clothes of my parents: long dresses, wide trousers, white blouses, etc. My love for hats, gloves, flare dresses have always been there. However, when I tried wearing an Edwardian inspired hat at the age of 15, my friends said I looked weird. That made me embarrassed so I rarely wore it.
In 2019, I created an Instagram account and almost immediately, I felt in love with the vintage community. Before that, I had no idea that people can actually dress like this everyday! I tried to “copy” some looks I found on the Internet and I was like “This is me!”
WHEN DID YOU START DRESSING VINTAGE?
“I seriously began to dress like this in the beginning of 2019. I also started to post my content on Instagram at that time. Since then, I have made so many friends in the vintage community!”
Lizzy is part of @unitedvintagegirls Instagram page - a community for Vintage souls, they do monthly vintage inspired themes.
Lizzy’s photo on Instagram for the @unitedvintagegirls April theme - Woodland Magic
CAN YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST VINTAGE/VINTAGE INSPIRED PIECE?
“My first true vintage dress is a navy Peter Pan collar dress. I bought it online after months of considerating because I didn’t know if it would fit me or not. Luckily, it does! Now it’s still one of my most favorite dresses! Since then, my true vintage dress collection has been growing. I have 9 vintage dresses in total and I hope to own more in the future.”
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR PEOPLE TO BEGIN THEIR VINTAGE INSPIRED CAPSULE WARDROBE?
“I love the 1950s fashion so here are some staple items if you want to try the style: white blouse, midi skirt (it could be circle skirt or pencil skirt depends on your preference), Mary Jane shoes, belt (black and white can goes with almost everything) and hat (optional).”
Lizzy pictured wearing some vintage Wardrobe staples.
“Tips: It’s all about how put-together your outfit is so you can try to match the color of your belt to the color of your shoes or your handbag and you’re ready to go! I usually coordinate my hair bow with my dress – that’s super easy to do!”
Lizzy matching a hair bow to her dress - picture from her Instagram @lizzybennetpham
HAS THERE BEEN ANY NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO DRESSING VINTAGE, AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT IT?
“Yes and No.
My friends always say I look a little bit “extra” comparing to others. Sometimes they don’t understand why I wear hats and belts all the time (those accessories are not necessary, in their opinion). But that’s all, they don’t hate my style or anything, they just think I am different and they accept my true self.
Other people (my colleagues and some random ones) say I look like a lady because of the way I dress. My parents love my wardrobe at the moment because it contents so many modest clothings. Sometimes people said I inspire them to wear more dresses and that can make me smile all day!”
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE VINTAGE INSPIRED ITEMS IN YOUR WARDROBE AT THE MOMENT?
“Oh no, don’t make me choose! There are just so many, so many items that I love: my gray dress with full circle, my 80s foral dress, my purple cottagecore-inspired dress, my dark green 40s-inspired dress, etc.
My most favorite items are all made of natural fibers like linen (and most of them are ethically made by slow fashion brands!). The Josie dress is the first item I have that is made out of hemp/ organic cotton. I am already in love with this fiber, it’s so soft and fall beautifully on my body.”
The ‘Josie’ dress is also available in Coral Linen, Linen Pastel Stripe and Tile Print.
Click here for a Reel Lizzy has done about why she loves Linen.
One of Lizzy’s favourites at the moment - picture from her Instagram
DO YOU FEEL YOUR STYLE HAS EVOLVED SINCE DRESSING VINTAGE?
“Oh yes! At the beginning, I only wear 1950s, 1940s style because I love the silhouette of these eras and I thought I could only stick to one time period (I know, how ridiculous I was!). It turns out I was wrong. I can wear Edwardian-inspired style and Regency-inspired style, too! Besides, there are other aesthetic that I find very lovely and suitable for my personal style such as cottagecore and light/dark academia.
I understand my body and my style better with time. I know what will suit me and what I will want to wear for a long time. That helps me a lot while choosing or buying clothes because I don’t want to waste anything.”
DO YOU HAVE ANY TOP TIPS FOR SOMEONE WANTING DRESS VINTAGE?
“The most important part is having fun! Don’t wear things that you don’t like or just because they are worn by other bloggers. Be yourself and dare to try new things!
Besides, instead of buying from fast fashion brands, try to buy from local brands, small business because they always pay more attention to details and therefore, your items can last a lifetime! They care about our environment and people, not just the profit. Thrifting is also a great idea when your budget is limited – there’s always something unique there waiting for you.”
Lizzy wearing her gifted ‘Josie’ dress with Charlie Stone shoes
Thank you so much Lizzy! Follow Lizzy on Instagram at: @lizzybennetpham
THE TEAM
Rose’s Wardrobe was founded by Emma and Leanne after both having over 12 years of experience between them working in high street, vintage inspired, and fashion supplier backgrounds. The inspiration from Rose’s Wardrobe derived from Emma and Leanne’s muses - their grandmas and great grandma - Patricia, Edna, and Rose. The aim is to produce replicas of the beautiful clothes their grandmas wore, using colours, styles and prints from the 1940’s through to the 1960’s. You can connect with Rose’s Wardrobe on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Have a look at where Rose’s Wardrobe will be here. Read our sustainability statement. Or, shop the collection.