I Don’t Work Here.
After sitting on something during a recent visit to Disneyland (thankfully nothing too horrific, and I was in a repro skirt), I decided I should buy some more repro skirts, and felt that Pin-Up Girl Clothing‘s boutique in Burbank would offer the best solutions. Additionally Patrick decided it was finally time to splurge and buy some jeans from Self Edge. So yesterday evening we found ourselves in Burbank and LA.
At Pin-Up Girl, I bought two skirts, and also visited Miss Charlotte’s Vintage, an antique shop across the way where I picked up three vintage hatboxes. At Self Edge, Patrick was in denim heaven, and walked out with two pairs of Japanese denim jeans, and it just so happened that Self Edge was across the street from a Buffalo Exchange, which we popped into. And I’m sure you’ll be seeing many of my new purchases soon!
Initially we planned to eat dinner at home, but our stomachs began to grumble and decided to wait out rush hour traffic at a Ruby’s Diner. Now, in case you aren’t familiar with Ruby’s Diners, they are a chain of those joints that attempts to capture the golden age of diners in the 50s, with white and red upholstery, girls running around in adorable waitress uniforms, and lots and lots of chrome. They serve classic American fare, as well as shakes and malts. After being seated, I jumped up to go to the restroom, only to be waved down by a patron. At first I thought it was someone who recognized me from Disneyland, or somewhere, only to be asked if I could bring the check. “Oh! I don’t work here. Sorry.” I said, only to have the woman look at me as if I insulted her, but I just turned and continued toward my destination. I won’t lie, this wasn’t the first time something like this has happened, but it felt odd, as every waitress dresses the exact same at Ruby’s (red and white stripe dresses), and I was wearing nothing similar, with the exception of the color red. How about you? Have you ever been mistaken for a waitress or employee of a retro establishment, be it a restaurant or shop?
Outfit
Top: Scully by way of Buffalo Exchange, Portland, Oregon
String Tie: Elsewhere Vintage, Orange, California
Saddle Ring: Central Park Antique Mall, Bakersfield, California
Turquoise Ring: Don’t remember…
Earrings: Aquanetta
Skirt: Tatyana, when it was Bettie Page Clothing
Nude Fishnets: Nordstorm
Shoes: Miss L Fire
Black Tooled Leather Purse: Retro Rejuvenation, Coburg
haha! That’s never happened to me but Ruby’s Diners are the best! One of my favorite places to go when I’m in California.
How funny!
Once while in Disneyland, I was wearing a red velvet blazer, black dress slacks, and a lanyard full of pins. Had a few people ask me where the bathroom was/did I work there, etc.
It did to me in Germany and a few places here in the States.
I have been asked several times at Disneyland where the restrooms are, when there on a special dress up day. I just smile and point them in the right direction – fortunately (or unfortunately) I know where all the restrooms are!
That’s happened to me at Disneyland too! I’m not sure why, as Cast Members are clearly wearing name badges! But, like Cindy, I’m a regular and usually know the answer to their question.
I am always impressed with people that wear vintage every day, as most of my vintage is 1) very fragile and 2) precious to me. Like you, I’ve lately begun to acquire more reproduction clothing that can withstand the rigors of everyday life (work, Disney, play). I’m excited to see what you bought at PUG, as your taste is impeccable! Did you go to Playclothes while in Burbank?
I had been to Playclothes a few times prior, but did not return during this visit. It’s fabulous!
That hasn’t happened to me, but I went to the Power of the Past one day and someone asked if I was a part of a fashion show. The Power of the Past is an antique tractor show that also has a flea market.
I’m crazy about that string tie!
I’m always asked questions or directions in Targets. I don’t get it at all… They have such a distinct red/khaki uniform and I’m never wearing those colors.
You look fantastic! That top is seriously amazing and looks stunning on you. As for your question..YUP! But it actually happened at Oktoberfest in Toronto. I was wearing a Dirndl (only my toronto vintage society gang and about 3 others dressed for the event) and got asked several times if I could bring some beers to people’s tables. Facepalm. Not happened yet in a retro establishment but there is still lots of time.
Oh what a surprise! I love this outfit from head to toe!
I found out that I sit in more strange stuff wearing repro then wearing vintage … not kidding!
Oh my gosh. I love this outfit SO much. And I was once mistaken for a burlesque performer at a show – does that count? Hehe.
Great outfit, my other-half was reading over my shoulder and really likes your shirt in particular, he has a soft-spot for Western clothing (not the norm over here in the UK!). How funny about being mistaken for staff, I can’t say that’s happened to me, but I was guilty of accidentally once confusing a child for a supermarket staff member….!!!
Your outfit is FANTASTIC!!! Your blouse is perfection! I’d love to see your hat boxes!
And yea, I’ve been mistaken for working at a museum, working in Tatyana when it was Bettie Page, and I’ve been mistaken as a professor in my dept.
Gorgeous (underline that many times) outfit, dear Janey! Goodness, yes, I’ve had that similar things happen before, too, including being (understandably) confused for an employee in the vast majority of vintage and antique stores I’ve gone in as a customer (I think that because it’s so very rare to see someone in vintage garb around most parts of this country, when the average person sees me in such a location, they think I’m just dressing like that because I work there, not that I might, oh you know, have a whole wardrobe full of the same kinds of things at home). I’m sorry you encountered that while trying to enjoy a meal out. The nerve of the woman to cop an attitude when you said that you didn’t work there. Some people, eh!
♥ Jessica