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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Alahna Kindred

Couple live their entire lives like it's the 1930s with vintage clothes, home and car

This couple lives their life as if they are in the 1930s with a vintage home, car and clothes.

Ruth Shelley, 28, and partner Robert Oestmann, 27, both share a passion for living the past when it comes to their clothes, diet and music choices.

They often turn heads on the street as they appear to have just stepped out of a time machine and also say people sometimes stop to ask for photos.

Robert, who sells whisky for a living, enjoys cooking and loves to experiment with recipes from the 1700s onwards.

Ruth, a research historian from the West Midlands, said the couple wear vintage clothes all the time.

Ruth Shelley, 28, and partner Robert Oestmann, 27, are passionate about living a vintage lifestyle (Dilantha Dissanayake / CATERS NEWS)

She said: "Robert and I dress like this all of the time as we are in love with the style.

"Robert mainly wears a suit and flat cap whereas I may wear clothing from 1930s to 1940s.

"I don't wear 1950s fashion as it involves a lot of trousers which I didn't like on myself."

The couple is also fascinated with the history of the era.

Ruth adds: "This style isn't something you could wear if you are shy as we do get stared at a lot.

"We don't mind at all and it's often positive feedback. The elderly love it as it's like a flashback for them.

Robert is currently restoring a Morris Minor which is a British economy car (ladyadepha / CATERS NEWS)
Ruth and Robert say they get stopped on the street sometimes and get asked for their picture because of their style of dress (Dilantha Dissanayake / CATERS NEWS)

"Sometimes people stop us and ask for photos which are totally fine."

The couple is fully committed to embracing the 1930s as they've incorporated it into their lifestyle.

They both have vintage bikes and Robert is currently restoring a Morris Minor which is a British economy car.

He said: "As a kid, my grandparents used to watch a lot of old films.

"They were inspirational - as I grew older I began reading a lot of books and my style stems from stuff like that.

"I also didn't like the sound modern synthetic clothes make when I was walking.

The couple enjoy wearing clothes from the 1930s as well listening to music and eating food from that time period (ladyadepha / CATERS NEWS)

"Our wardrobe is unique and different to today's extremely casual.

"There is nothing wrong with casual but it's not for me. I might lounge around in chinos and a flannel shirt or when working on my car.

"But most of the time, I wear a tie and jacket. I like to make sure I'm looking somewhat presentable."

Keen chef Robert also loves to try vintage recipes and one of his favourites is a "Depression Era Meat Loaf" from 1938.

He adds: "I love playing around with new recipes to me but they are actually very old.

"I am originally from British Columbia, Canada, so this recipe gives an insight into the lives of a rural Ontario Canada community.

The couple have even decorated their home to look like its from the 1930s (ladyadepha / CATERS NEWS)

"It is a simple basic meatloaf recipe that uses tomato soup."

The couple's dedication has gone so far that they do not own a TV and only listen to music through a gramophone.

They do have smartphones but only to keep in contact with people.

Ruth adds: "In our spare time, we read, talk or Robert cooks and I help.

"We have a few original cookbooks which are interesting from a historical point of view.

"I prefer baking so make my own bread or welsh cakes on a griddle.

"We listen to music and dance, go on walks or cycle on our original vintage bicycles. Sometimes we ballroom dance to 1940s music. Our music taste may be old fashioned but we like it.

"We both have smartphones as they are useful when you're alone to contact people. But Robert would ditch his phone within a heartbeat.

"For us, this lifestyle works best and is beneficial for our relationships.

"It works for us as we are present in the moment as opposed to glued to Netflix or on our phones."

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