Huge thanks with frills and rare buttons on to Andrea Quinlan for hosting my piece, 'Tagged' over at Story Bought Dress.
The piece is less a fiction than an elaborate analogy of how vintage wear makes me feel. I love that each item carries a memory of its past - that by my wearing of a piece I can evoke a sort of haunting - but in the best way - and acquire the experience of the life of an other through their garments. And it's the sort of not quite one thing or another writing that I love to indulge in, therefore I am grateful to Andrea for indulging me!
21 comments:
Interesting little piece, Rachel. New to me.
I love browsing vintage shops, but I don't think I've ever actually bought anything, for some reason!
Loved it! And I'm not a vintage fan, unless my mother owned it.
Thomas, you crack me up.
Talli, I rarely buy anything - and, despite the story content - I don't ever buy second hand shoes! But I do own a few lovely pieces of clothing and a spiffing 1950s evening bag that was my grandmother's.
JoAnne, I think there is something especially poignant about wearing our mother's/grandmother's things. Very symbolic, too.
Thanks guys.
I've just bought a pair of shoes. I always ask for the box, stick my old shoes in it and take them home with me. You never know when they'll come in handy - even for spare laces :)
I do that! Would you class yourself as a shoe hoarder?
Thing is, I completely wear a pair of shoes out before I'll buy another pair - which results in my whole wardrobe coordinating with one or two pairs of shoes!
Thank you, Rachel!
This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for for my zine :)
Your zine is exactly the sort of thing I've been scouring the net for, Andrea - thank you for having me - so to speak!
I love that shoes are not even mentioned. So much in so few words.
Thanks, Nuala - it was a deliberate effort so I am all the more pleased you noticed.
Though I left my comment over at Story Bought Dress, I want to say it again here. You hit every mark of what they are about, what you are about and - yep! - what I am about. Hats off to you. No one, no essay could have struck a more resonant chord with me. I bow at the altar, Rae.
What part of it specifically resonates for you, Les. I'm really intrigued - really glad it hit the mark, too.
Please don't bow - I have no alter (no ego either) and all you're likely to find is a big dollop of pooh!
(Rhyme unintentional!)
I guess what I'm saying is, the respect's mutual.
I liked that you infused "things" with importance - gave them their props for serving us, pleasing us. You made them more than just "things". I liked that you gave honor to vintage, gently used items that would be perfectly suitable to their next owner - we throw entirely too many things away. And I love the little "con" you showed. Your rejects, "only worn once" as a selling tool. All of that worked together to please me. Now go get your coat.
Thank you, Les. Some things are more than things. There is a beauty in the used, as well as a glaring practicality when facing global ruin. But I think my love of things is connected to something deeper than environmental awareness. Partly associated with history, and past lives, but something else in there, too. Not sure how to explain that exactly but I'll try for a future post.
Thank you for taking the time to explore all of that and tell me.
Here's my shorthand version: when Ex and I went to the UK for our first visit, we had allowed $XX for me to purchase some vintage (hopefully Victorian) things. Aside from everything else, Les must return with some 150-year-old touchstone. Guess what? The items I could afford (though we'd set aside all we could possibly manager) were in poor condition. I landed on other things that still please me today and that cost me about 1-pound each. Mostly they are pins and such, that I wear on my clothing when I want to make a statement or draw a question or a snicker. These things are precious to me. Their value FAR beyond "things".
Your memories are precious stones on those pins, by the sounds of things. I like your shorthand. It's often the least expensive things which hold the most value in the end.
Something has to realy connect with me before I consider investing in it - and I am fussy - hence so few 'things'. But the things I have, that made it this far, I treasure just the same as you.
like the idea of haunted clothing....
Me too, Penny - got a few stories about spooky garments... a collection brewing.
Thank you, Deirdra - your blog is pretty spiffing and I'm following you now, too.
I have saved my award and will proudly display it in my next post.
I went to my fav op shop on Friday but these days it is raided by young women who've caught the bug! You used to be able to buy prada Minnie mouse shoes and crusty suede jackets!
But I will return. All the signoras will have wardrobe renewal in autumn and all that stuff they've grown out of...
You have a favourite haunt, Cat - very good. "I know a nest" as Billy Caspar said in Kes.
I wish you richer pickings next visit!
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