Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'
'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit.
'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. 'When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.'
'Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,' he asked, 'or bit by bit?'
'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
OMG MY HEART IS SO FULL SEEING THE VELVETEEN RABBIT REFERENCES IN THE COMMENTS ❤️🐰
Great piece! As I type this, I'm looking at all the holes in my favorite sweater. Initially, I felt an urge to darn them, but now it think it gives it character. Clothes are better lived in. They have so many stories to tell. That's partially why I thrift over buying something new. I like the idea I'm carrying on it's legacy.
My favourite knit (also acquired around seven years ago) was in my possession when it fell victim to moth a few months ago, and yet I can't give up wearing it either- it's been cleaned and put through hot temps since.
Though it's only a plain navy cardigan and not distinctive like a Sandy piece, I actually..... like the look of the holes? Visible wear/damage as a conceptual part of collections isn't exactly new, I'm pretty sure Margiela explored that in the Martin era and among smaller independent labels, Paul Harnden was known for burying clothes and shoes to get the right patina. And I get the appeal of it - wear and tear is a result of, well, actually wearing/using things, it suggests actual connection between the clothing and the wearer which pre-distressing can never fake (which often results in scoffing if someone imitates that wear for cachet they can't get)
I really enjoyed your writing on this, a loved garment has its own character. However, I am a cynic and I must say this trend provides an convenient reason for Prada/Miu Miu to source even poorer quality material. I bought a secondhand Miu Miu top and the red dye literally RAN when I handwashed it, something I would expect from Shein not a $700 top.
What a lovely article and sentiment, I also love buying used and knowing I am continuing someone’s love of an article. Thank you for supporting Powderhorn and Minnesota!
Almost all of my circa 2016 work clothes from my first “real job” at mtv comms are in some state of disarray (mostly white oxfords with tinted bb cream on neckline, some vintage holy wool) and when i saw this show i was like finally a resurgence of this very specific vibe lol…i feel emotionally connected to these things in a way that probably isn’t healthy but it is low hanging fruit. Also i remember intentionally chipped lavender nails was a microtrend from that era.
Okay but real question when I also like the look of holes… how do we not introduce insect populations into our wardrobes that will leave holes in EVERYTHING?? Point me towards a good resource because I’ve found some holes in stuff and now I know not what I have welcomed into my home or what internet source to believe.
:) I loved this one. I also have a collection of 100% wool and cashmere eBay sweaters that I love dearly, and many of them have small holes from moths and wear-and-tear. I sometimes feel self-conscious about wearing them out (and lack the skills to mend them/funds to send them out for repair right now), but they're warm and beautiful and have seen a lot of things.
I think this imperfection trend is a bit of a response to what it means to be human now, in the age of AI. Just a few days ago I saw another newsletter talking about a beauty brand finding success after a campaign that featured images of used products in real places, like a car's cup holder. Looks like fashion is following suit!
Also, I love how you said new clothes can be dirty. I've worked in different stages of the fashion sales cycle, from warehouses where collections are stored to retail stockrooms, and I can confirm those places generally aren't very clean 😅
:')
Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'
'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit.
'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. 'When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.'
'Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,' he asked, 'or bit by bit?'
'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
I apply this same metaphor to abstaining from botox/filler/surgeries - wrinkles are also a literal impression of life!
OMG MY HEART IS SO FULL SEEING THE VELVETEEN RABBIT REFERENCES IN THE COMMENTS ❤️🐰
Great piece! As I type this, I'm looking at all the holes in my favorite sweater. Initially, I felt an urge to darn them, but now it think it gives it character. Clothes are better lived in. They have so many stories to tell. That's partially why I thrift over buying something new. I like the idea I'm carrying on it's legacy.
My favourite knit (also acquired around seven years ago) was in my possession when it fell victim to moth a few months ago, and yet I can't give up wearing it either- it's been cleaned and put through hot temps since.
Though it's only a plain navy cardigan and not distinctive like a Sandy piece, I actually..... like the look of the holes? Visible wear/damage as a conceptual part of collections isn't exactly new, I'm pretty sure Margiela explored that in the Martin era and among smaller independent labels, Paul Harnden was known for burying clothes and shoes to get the right patina. And I get the appeal of it - wear and tear is a result of, well, actually wearing/using things, it suggests actual connection between the clothing and the wearer which pre-distressing can never fake (which often results in scoffing if someone imitates that wear for cachet they can't get)
my favorite 'to be loved is to be changed' example will always be that garfield plush lol <3
it is so sweet 😭
Calling that incident “mothgate” had me rolling🤣
I really enjoyed your writing on this, a loved garment has its own character. However, I am a cynic and I must say this trend provides an convenient reason for Prada/Miu Miu to source even poorer quality material. I bought a secondhand Miu Miu top and the red dye literally RAN when I handwashed it, something I would expect from Shein not a $700 top.
I'm tempted to slap the recession-core label on it and move on, but you have a very adorable point
What a lovely article and sentiment, I also love buying used and knowing I am continuing someone’s love of an article. Thank you for supporting Powderhorn and Minnesota!
I love this so much. It feels good to embrace rather than shun life's patina - the evidence of history and stories to tell. In clothing and in people.
Almost all of my circa 2016 work clothes from my first “real job” at mtv comms are in some state of disarray (mostly white oxfords with tinted bb cream on neckline, some vintage holy wool) and when i saw this show i was like finally a resurgence of this very specific vibe lol…i feel emotionally connected to these things in a way that probably isn’t healthy but it is low hanging fruit. Also i remember intentionally chipped lavender nails was a microtrend from that era.
💙🩵🖤
Okay but real question when I also like the look of holes… how do we not introduce insect populations into our wardrobes that will leave holes in EVERYTHING?? Point me towards a good resource because I’ve found some holes in stuff and now I know not what I have welcomed into my home or what internet source to believe.
I used to store my most beloved items in the freezer
It's like performative, forced pre-love for objects that haven't had a home yet.
really enjoyed this one viv!
:) I loved this one. I also have a collection of 100% wool and cashmere eBay sweaters that I love dearly, and many of them have small holes from moths and wear-and-tear. I sometimes feel self-conscious about wearing them out (and lack the skills to mend them/funds to send them out for repair right now), but they're warm and beautiful and have seen a lot of things.
I think this imperfection trend is a bit of a response to what it means to be human now, in the age of AI. Just a few days ago I saw another newsletter talking about a beauty brand finding success after a campaign that featured images of used products in real places, like a car's cup holder. Looks like fashion is following suit!
Also, I love how you said new clothes can be dirty. I've worked in different stages of the fashion sales cycle, from warehouses where collections are stored to retail stockrooms, and I can confirm those places generally aren't very clean 😅