Anti-Inspiration

While these images of eternal, sun-kissed, vintage summer are alluring, they are absolutely cheapened by how commonplace they have become through movies like 500 Days of Summer and music like She & Him. Sorry, Zooey. Life should be anything but contrived, and those of the vintage persuasion have become mere collectors of sensationalized image. Some golden hour they weren't around for and they want a piece of that pie. I do see merit in this genre, but it's usually not seen for what it is: a candied view of the past as present. Distinct memories that people hold in the things they collect are lost in the smear of people trying to make a quick buck on novelty or those trying to forget how truly miserable their real past was. These images aren't personal anymore, but women will keep putting bows in their hair, wearing Buddy Holly glasses that aren't prescription while they dress their boyfriends in bow ties, checkered tops, and yeah, Buddy Holly glasses. Chances are, they weren't alive when any of this was "in," but they've seen pictures of people wearing the same outfits--and they seemed happy enough.
 Here's everything I try not to love: