Original blog post here
While I do love new things but the novelty has worn off and now I’m starting to look for ways to fall in love with what I have. Uh sounds like a relationship doesn’t it? But when it comes to dating advice, would you not seek the person in a monogamous relationship over one that ricochets between multiple persons? An exaggerated example but nevertheless if I want to ask someone how to fall in love with clothes, I’d find one who has a long term relationship with their wardrobe over one who buys and wears for a couple times. Therefore I observe those who have and maintain little.
This is what I’m now shifting towards:
1. Defining a distinct style
Hm I know this may mean a visual consistency that will bore most readers of fashion blogs but I want to achieve a signature narrative of sartorial history that doesn’t come and go with the tide of trends.
2. Patina over Gloss
Gloss is what’s apparently hot in the magazines, patina comes through simply age and usage. The patina is the layers of historical narrative.
3. Slowness & thought
The speed at which fashion goes is redefining what we see as ‘old’. I find myself saying “the shirt is old” which actually means “I purchased it a year ago but it’s old compared to the skirt and bag I bought a month ago”. To think what our grandmothers would say about this mode of thought!
4. A return to materiality
While the ‘natural fiber’ industries are no more eco friendly than its synthetic counterparts, aiming to buy only cotton, leather, silk and wool is the birth control to my consumption cycle.
“Do you really need a polyester blouse?”
Um, no…
