Despite the fact that I am very much for re-wearing items that I own, I must admit that at times it can prove quite difficult to do so. Not necessarily because I don’t want to, but because I find myself worrying about the opinions of others.
Culturally and socially it is kind of ingrained in me that appearances matter, in addition to it representing a certain economic privilege. I believe this is one of the reasons clothing swaps, secondhand and vintage shopping are given the side eye intentionally.
I remember going kite-flying in the park with my family when I was in my early teens. One of my then classmates who was there later mentioned that I was wearing an outfit she had seen me in before. After this incident, I began to seriously consider when and where and what I wore. Today, in the digital age where everyone records their life that sort of take isn’t feasible.
But thankfully I have matured to understand attitudes around how we approach clothing. Most times this is not necessarily dependent on our deep personal connection with them but rather how we want to be perceived by others. Perhaps it may be to appear rich, sophisticated, trendy or whatever. This, however, has nothing to do with our personal tastes because what we choose is subject to what other people like.
Last weekend, I went for a walk with my husband and I wore my favorite pair of culottes by Meiling and an off-the-shoulder statement top I have had for over two years. I have worn the two pieces a handful of times both separately and together. While both pieces are beautiful, and I genuinely love wearing them I didn’t have the same euphoric energy as I did the first time I wore them.
During our walk, an old woman stopped my husband on the street and told him that I looked so beautiful. One of the first thoughts that came to my mind was that this (my outfit) is so old.
Social conditioning has thought us to value quantity over quality, newness over genuine long-term delight and anything old must be so terrible even if it isn’t.
Famous fashion journalist Suzy Menkes said that fast fashion has taught us to look and appreciate clothes the same way we do condoms, disposable after the first use. And it is true. The quick turnover of clothing collections and cheap prices have removed the emotional attachment and lessened the appreciation.
As small as it may seem, the old lady’s words reminded me that it’s more to do with what you like and not how many times you wore it. While the euphoric feeling may go missing after the first wear, it doesn’t mean the beauty isn’t there. Wear your clothes as much as you can, other peoples’ remarks about what you’re wearing, while sometimes difficult to ignore, are never a reflection of you, but rather of them and their values. In addition, detergent is cheap so why not?
