Thank you for sharing wise words from Andrea Zittel! The quote "What makes us feel liberated is not total freedom but rather living in a set of limitations that we have created and prescribed for ourselves" in particular resonated with me. I've been on a low-buy this year because I felt like it could give me the space I needed to arrive at these definitions/limitations for myself (consumption is very distracting!). So far. I find that it works for me, but it's clearly not for everyone. Also, maybe style just isn't a language everyone is interested in mastering, and as such, it's easier to conform than develop something more personal...
I echo this! Also, why expect liberation or freedom from our wardrobes and the way we express ourselves through clothes? This would make fashion fall in the religion category …and even these struggle to give us what we need in this area. I haven’t yet embarked on the no-buy endeavour - mainly because I’m not good with diets of any sort. I eat healthy and exercise so there’s no need for a diet. I’d like to think this is how my fashion consumption can also be described. With currently 150 items in my closet, incl clothes, shoes, bags, belts and scarves I think I’m doing a good job 🙌🏻😏
Such a thought-provoking piece, Laura! Your friend who is fun at parties may be on the nihilist side of the realm, but I think that our individual style is still our first unspoken language, yes it changes and evolves depending on external factors such as changing careers, moving to different continents, confidence, having children, adopting pets, becoming vegan, menopause you name it. What sticks is our style that through individuality and curiosity keeps resurfacing it just changes in size, colors, volumes, fabric weights, and adjectives.
Reread this after seeing it linked in your more recent post. The moving and entangling questions you ask remind me of a favorite line from poet Diane Seuss: "And to smudge beauty is to discover ugliness. / And to smudge ugliness is to be knocked back by splendor."
Such a thoughtful piece! I think there is also a certain way that people who grow up poor look at clothes. And it is about social climbing and fitting in! But I agree we've gone too far...
“While each of us may choose a different avatar to emulate, the reality is that we don’t look as unique as we might think; instead, we often resemble armies of luxury brand enthusiasts.“ Thank you for this…what a great & timely piece. I think there will always be clique mentality and urges to fit in and herein that lies. I spend a lot of time now trying to find accounts/ humans that don’t look the same or who aim to “strongly suggest” you get a capsule wardrobe! Thankfully, I have found styling clients that are also unique and can appreciate the variety of brands and resources and inspiration I can bring to the table.
Thank you for sharing wise words from Andrea Zittel! The quote "What makes us feel liberated is not total freedom but rather living in a set of limitations that we have created and prescribed for ourselves" in particular resonated with me. I've been on a low-buy this year because I felt like it could give me the space I needed to arrive at these definitions/limitations for myself (consumption is very distracting!). So far. I find that it works for me, but it's clearly not for everyone. Also, maybe style just isn't a language everyone is interested in mastering, and as such, it's easier to conform than develop something more personal...
I echo this! Also, why expect liberation or freedom from our wardrobes and the way we express ourselves through clothes? This would make fashion fall in the religion category …and even these struggle to give us what we need in this area. I haven’t yet embarked on the no-buy endeavour - mainly because I’m not good with diets of any sort. I eat healthy and exercise so there’s no need for a diet. I’d like to think this is how my fashion consumption can also be described. With currently 150 items in my closet, incl clothes, shoes, bags, belts and scarves I think I’m doing a good job 🙌🏻😏
Such a thought-provoking piece, Laura! Your friend who is fun at parties may be on the nihilist side of the realm, but I think that our individual style is still our first unspoken language, yes it changes and evolves depending on external factors such as changing careers, moving to different continents, confidence, having children, adopting pets, becoming vegan, menopause you name it. What sticks is our style that through individuality and curiosity keeps resurfacing it just changes in size, colors, volumes, fabric weights, and adjectives.
Reread this after seeing it linked in your more recent post. The moving and entangling questions you ask remind me of a favorite line from poet Diane Seuss: "And to smudge beauty is to discover ugliness. / And to smudge ugliness is to be knocked back by splendor."
Full poem here: https://waxwingmag.org/items/issue10/21_Seuss-Here-on-this-edge-I-have-had-many-diminutive-visions.php
Such a thoughtful piece! I think there is also a certain way that people who grow up poor look at clothes. And it is about social climbing and fitting in! But I agree we've gone too far...
“While each of us may choose a different avatar to emulate, the reality is that we don’t look as unique as we might think; instead, we often resemble armies of luxury brand enthusiasts.“ Thank you for this…what a great & timely piece. I think there will always be clique mentality and urges to fit in and herein that lies. I spend a lot of time now trying to find accounts/ humans that don’t look the same or who aim to “strongly suggest” you get a capsule wardrobe! Thankfully, I have found styling clients that are also unique and can appreciate the variety of brands and resources and inspiration I can bring to the table.