Something old, something repaired and something new

I, like most of you, have had a good deal of time on my hands to think about things. Life things, business things, relationship things - things I did as a child, things I wish I had done. I don't know about all of you but it dawned on me that it feels like all the classic stages of grief :shock & denial, pain & guilt, anger & bargaining, depression , the upward turn, reconstruction & working through and finally the acceptance & hope. I personally am in the third phase but rather than fixate on that negative emotion too throughly I am processing through it and projecting the positivity I want to have returned to me. Sounds like some hippie dippy talk but honestly I got a little bit of that groovy spirit mixed in with all the other elements. 

One topic in the forfont of my thoughts is connection . I am dating myself when I talk about pen pals ( like good old fashioned pen to paper , lick the stamp letter writing to another human in a different state) and AIM ( AOL instant messenger aka OG text messaging for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about ) but this the connection we are getting through Facebook and Instagram right now feels so much like that. Strangers connecting with strangers, virtually providing dialog and support. I know personally that has been such a hugely meaningful thing in my freelance life but also at this time. To connect with other likeminded folks and creatives to talk about process, get feedback, check in , learn more and just relate. It's been incredibly stimulating and has honestly been giving me a lot of new ideas.

Once such idea came in the form of a challenge to my new friend Edie in Saskatoon who like me has a passion for clothing. We were talking about how reguardless of where you get your clothes if you love an item, hold onto it and continue to utilize it for many years it serves the same principle as an item generated by the slow fashion world. Now don't get me wrong I love supporting independent slow fashion brands - I will gladly save my money for a long while to have something of good quality that will last. And I am not trying to say that quailty of an item from say forever 21 would ever be that of say Doen but I also have not always been able to afford the things I need or covet. Fast fashion is only fast if you buy a lot of it, often and then disguard it.

So that sparked the challenge I extended to her : share your oldest piece of clothing, your most repaired and your most recently purchased item. I found a lot of joy in this exercise. Not only did it make me have to think about each of those items but it forced me to dig through and rediscover things I had long forgotten about. Clothing reguardless of your level of passion for dress has a story. It is a story of origin, of what has happened to you while you were wearing and it hopefully carries a legacy afterward. By wearing the item you are keeping the stories secret or reflecting them outwardly into the world.

So I took some photos of the outlined items to share their stories with you.

Oldest item?

A shirt from the Goodspeed Operahouse production of Sweeney Todd circa 1994. I was 11 and my girl scout troop took a behind the scenes tour of the incredibly gorgeous old theater originally built in 1876. It sits right on the Connecticut River and just oozes velvet ropes, drinks on balconies and general old world charm.I had not yet seen a production (and also had a bit of fascination with the macabre) so after the tour I begged my mom to go. I remember being so annoyed with her response that it was too adult and I was not yet old enough but in hindsight now know that the show is pretty intense.My consolation was the shirt which 23 years later I still think is so retro and bizarre.

One of my most repaired items?

My mother's vintage Nine West boots. One of her first and in her words “ most expensive adult purchase” she made after landing a full time position as a research analyst for the program review of the CT state legislature ( no small feat for anyone but especially for a woman in the male dominated government of the late 70s). Basically she would spend up to a year reviewing the functionailty of a state run program (say DCF) and then present her case and recommendations to the legislature. And the most amazing part ? She in many cases got to help rewrite bills and laws to make those programs more fucntional. All that hard work certainly deserved a swank pair of boots. I was 21 and had just moved to Providence when I redisoverd them in her closet. With their sleek line and boyish flat heel I was instantly in love and as you can see from the picture literally wore them into the ground. They went with me to Deer Tick shows at AS220, to my 22 birthday at the crazy warehouse building I called home at the time, on motorcycles, train hopping, dancing , with skirts and short shorts during the summer and acid washed jeans in the winter. When the toes blew out of them I took them to the cobbler to get repaired and he just looked at me and said they were trash. I silently told him off and then sho gooed them and duck taped them back together and proceeded to wear them for 5 more years until while on a trip in NYC with my best friend Chrystal they literally fell apart while I was wearing them. But in a hilarious twist of fate ( and luck!) the flea market we happened to be at had the same brand and style pair in my size. 

Newest purchase?

Is a bit of a cheat . I should be posting a picture of my ARQ bralette and not to say it isn’t worthy - I love that brand but I just wanted to showcase something that was a bit more a full course meal. Instead I will feature one my favorite recent purchase that make me feel like a million bucks . That would be my TOWN clothes Salmina Dress. I stalked this dress for a good three years. I would take note of it, watch for sales and inevitably drag my feet long enough that whatever store had it would sell out. I finally saw it in person on a good friend and that sealed the deal - it was just as magical as I had hoped. Much like my mother's story it was the first time in my adult life I could afford to purchase a designer item. Finally last year while in the midsts of a 12 hour floral design work day I got an alrert Town was having a sale. I must have checked and rechecked my cart 1,000 times before I finally pulled a trigger. It was a big purchase for me so I was in a bit of a cold sweat but upon it's arrival I tried it on and felt it's power. It felt edgy yet comfortable, delicate in silohette but strong in that 1960's “these boots are made for walking” baby doll dress kind of way. You can dress it up with a strappy set of heels and a wide leg pant or wear it with blundstones on a hike ( clearly I have done both). And the best part was this winter I met the designer at Echo Park craft fair and not only was she still making lovely things but she herself was such a lovely person. Win Win. 

So now your challenge, if you choose to accept, is to post your three on your IG stories! Oldest, most repaired and newest purchases.

I hope also that you will tag me in your stories so I can share along with you!