Every Tuesday in Victoria, British Columbia, you may come across a vibrant lady dressed in 1950s fashion, exuding charm and grace. Mollie Kaye, 55, the founder of the “Dress Up Tuesday” project, dons vintage dresses, gloves, and decorative hats to emphasize the importance of social interactions through fashion.
Kaye sees her weekly attire as a form of service and a gift to others. Since the age of 12, she has been excited about experimenting with her clothing, a passion that continued through her teenage and early adult years while studying at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Wearing her vintage outfits allows Kaye to connect more deeply with her community and the people around her, as she believes clothes play a significant role in expressing one’s personality and sparking conversations.
Despite struggling to fit in and conform to mainstream fashion in her adult years, Kaye found solace and joy in joining an a cappella group called “The Millies,” where she and her fellow members dressed in 1950s-style attire and sang music from that era.
Kaye’s unconventional fashion choices not only draw admiration from onlookers but also serve as a conversation starter, fostering connections and nostalgia among those who appreciate her unique style.
Challenging societal norms and embracing her true self, Kaye’s project “Dress Up Tuesday” was born out of a desire to see how people would react to her deliberately dressed-up appearances. Over the past five years, Kaye has encountered only positivity and appreciation for her bold fashion statements.
By donning 1950s attire, Kaye aims to break stereotypes associated with that era’s fashion, emphasizing that modern clothing can sometimes be more restrictive and repressive compared to the styles of the past. Through her outfits, she encourages respect for oneself and the community by demonstrating that dressing up is an act of self-expression and acknowledgment of others.
With a collection of over a hundred hats, some restored from thrift stores, Kaye believes that hats play a vital role in her “Dress Up Tuesday” project, initiating what she calls “hat chats” that lead to meaningful interactions and conversations with people she meets.
Kaye’s mission goes beyond spreading joy and happiness; it extends to inspiring others to embrace their individuality and incorporate elements of her philosophy into their own style. Through her TedX talks and public appearances, Kaye has reached hundreds of thousands of listeners who have been encouraged by her message.
For those looking to adopt her approach, Kaye suggests starting with scarves as a simple way to add a vintage touch to their wardrobe and spark engaging conversations, just like her iconic hats do.