That includes always wearing vintage clothing at home and around Hobart, living in a 1920s home, driving a vintage Buick, owning two “vintage dogs” (a Scottish terrier and a West Highland white terrier), not having a television, and listening almost exclusively to vintage music.
They admitted they still own one pair of jeans each, although Robert only wears his while gardening and Erin’s pair are a replica of 1940s fashion.
Unsurprisingly, the Art Deco Festival is a favourite on the calendar.
“It feels immersive,” Erin said.
“The cars, and the planes, and everywhere you look it’s very vintage.”
They have also made amazing friends over the years since they attended the festival for the first time in 2017, and Erin said in many ways it felt like coming home.
Plenty of visitors have arrived in Napier for the festival, including an army of motorhome inhabitants parked up off Marine Parade. Photo / Doug Laing
The decision to change their lifestyle and the way they dressed was largely sparked by watching a television show, Indian Summers, set in the 1930s, Erin said.
“I thought ‘why am I wearing jeans when I could be wearing beautiful clothes like that’.”
Robert, who owns about 40 different bow ties, said the festival had a special atmosphere and vibe.
“It is like all of a sudden it’s a different world, and that’s really nice.
“It’s like the rest of the world can just go away for that time.
“That’s what is really nice about it.”
They always stay at the Masonic Hotel during their trips to Napier, specifically in the Art Deco suite, which is another aspect they enjoy.
They are also members of the Art Deco Trust.
Robert said they now travelled with friends to other similar festivals, including the Australian Art Deco Festival in Leeton, NSW. That festival is relatively new, having started in 2019.
Plenty of visitors have arrived in Napier for the festival, which began on Thursday and runs until Sunday.
That includes an army of motorhomes that occupy a large grass area off Marine Parade each year, south of the aquarium.
Head to the Art Deco Festival website to check out the events happening this year.