Woman, 28, quits her criminology career to become a full time ‘housewife’

A young woman obsessed with the 1950s has binned every item in her modern wardrobe to embrace her vintage style – and has even quit her job to become a housewife for her husband. 

Jemima Collins, 28, from Brisbane, has recreated the forgotten era with her collection of 50s dresses, antique brooches, elegant hats and dainty gloves and attracts lots of inquisitive stares from people curious about her fashion sense. 

But Jemima doesn’t care, with the vintage enthusiast taking time out from her criminology career to take pride in leading the true lifestyle of a 1950s housewife for her engineer husband Jack, 29. 

‘I love being a housewife. People might say that I’m going against feminism but it’s entirely my choice,’ she said. 

A young woman obsessed with the 1950s has binned every item in her modern wardrobe to embrace her vintage style – and has even quit her job to become a housewife for her husband

The vintage enthusiast has taken time out from her criminology career to take pride in leading the true lifestyle of a 1950s housewife for her engineer husband Jack, 29 (pictured together)

The vintage enthusiast has taken time out from her criminology career to take pride in leading the true lifestyle of a 1950s housewife for her engineer husband Jack, 29 (pictured together)

‘My husband and I have traditional roles in the home. My job as a housewife is to look after the home and he goes out and works. It might not be for everyone, but it is what works for me. It’s totally my choice and it makes me happier than I’ve ever been. ‘

Jemima said she has always been ‘really drawn’ to the 50s – especially the fashion.  

‘I take great pride in what I wear, and it makes me feel amazing, beautiful and confident when I’m dressed in my vintage clothes,’ she said. 

‘People will often stare at me when I’m walking down the street or having coffee in a café. They probably haven’t seen anyone dressed like me very often as it’s so different to what other women my age will wear.’ 

'I take great pride in what I wear, and it makes me feel amazing, beautiful and confident when I'm dressed in my vintage clothes,' she said

And her clothes were not the only thing to get a makeover, with Jemima collecting timeless antique pieces and traditional homewares to beautify her home

‘I take great pride in what I wear, and it makes me feel amazing, beautiful and confident when I’m dressed in my vintage clothes,’ she said

Jemima’s ruthless clothing cull saw her get rid of all her ‘modern’ clothes after losing 30kg (4st 10lbs) – including all her jeans, crop tops, yoga pants and hoodies – so she could start afresh with a collection of classic vintage pieces from a long-gone era. 

 I love the simple pleasures of using a cup and saucer instead of a mug for my tea.

And her clothes were not the only thing to get a makeover, with Jemima collecting timeless antique pieces and traditional homewares to beautify her home.

‘I didn’t always dress like this. I used to be really overweight as a teenager. I was close to 100kg and didn’t have any sense of style – I just dressed in whatever I could to cover up the parts of my body I didn’t like,’ she said.   

‘I tried lots of different clothing styles, but I kept getting drawn to the 50s fit-and-flare dresses. I love that silhouette. 

'I tried lots of different clothing styles, but I kept getting drawn to the 50s fit-and-flare dresses. I love that silhouette,' she said 

‘I tried lots of different clothing styles, but I kept getting drawn to the 50s fit-and-flare dresses. I love that silhouette,’ she said 

‘Online shopping which really opened this world of vintage fashion up to me. I couldn’t believe the incredible pieces I found. They often have deceased estate auctions online where they just sell a lot of the possessions from someone who has passed away.’ 

Jemima’s oldest piece is a dress from the 1940s.  

‘I absolutely adore it, and it’s amazing to be able to breathe life back into it,’ she said. 

‘Now I have less than ten outfits I really love, and they’re all vintage or vintage-inspired pieces. I don’t own any jeans, crop tops, yoga pants or hoodies. 

‘It feels right. I feel like I’ve found myself and like I was made for this era. I’ve never felt better.’ 

'Now I have less than ten outfits I really love, and they're all vintage or vintage-inspired pieces. I don't own any jeans, crop tops, yoga pants or hoodies,' she said

'I also have doilies all over my house, which you don't really see anymore. But I love them,' she said

‘Now I have less than ten outfits I really love, and they’re all vintage or vintage-inspired pieces. I don’t own any jeans, crop tops, yoga pants or hoodies,’ she said 

Jemima said she takes pride in being a good housewife – and although it may appear to ‘go against the women’s liberation movement’ it is entirely her decision. 

She loves dolling herself up every morning no matter where she is going – and enjoys making each day ‘extra special’ by sipping her tea from a cup and saucer, while setting her dinner table with fancy vintage china every night.  

‘I love the simple pleasures of using a cup and saucer instead of a mug for my tea or setting the table with the fancy china collection. It’s makes every day a bit more special,’ she said. 

‘I also have doilies all over my house, which you don’t really see anymore. But I love them.

'Even if I'm just staying at home all day or running a few errands at the grocery store, I will always make an effort with my appearance because that is what makes me feel good,' she said

‘Even if I’m just staying at home all day or running a few errands at the grocery store, I will always make an effort with my appearance because that is what makes me feel good,’ she said

‘I really believe in the psychological element of fashion. What you wear totally affects how you feel and sets the tone for the entire day. I get dressed up every morning in my vintage dresses, and pop on my pearls and lipstick because it makes me feel confident and beautiful.’

Jemima said people often ask stare at her when she’s out and about in her hats and gloves but she is not bothered.  

‘People will see me and say “where are you going? Who are you all dressed up for?”. But the point is that I do this entirely for myself,’ she said. 

‘I don’t care what others think.’  

‘Even if I’m just staying at home all day or running a few errands at the grocery store, I will always make an effort with my appearance because that is what makes me feel good. 

‘It’s something that has been lost over time, which is a real shame.’



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