Wednesday, June 8, 2011

do you find this happens all the time?


skirt: thrift circa 2004, stolen from my sister -- blazer: thrift -- shoes: thrift -- top: American Apparel (from the awesome days when I had 5 friends working there and got anything I wanted for 50% off...)

Bustin' out my gamine game for my last day of school stuff! It's been a crazy day, but an awesome one. I'm finally done with all of my academic commitments for the year! Yesss.



So I'm pretty obsessed with this blazer. I bought it last Wednesday at Salvation Army for a cool $3.40. I really dig the color and shrunken fit, I just wish the material were wool instead of this plastic-y polyester.


Bottlebrush forever!

Caveat: the following deals with problems in arguments (i.e., logical shortcomings), not things in my life that I experience as hardships. I'm a ponderer, and these are ponderings. Not things that actually trouble me. Just saying that in advance.


Yesterday, I showed my friend Bobby the presentation I did last quarter about thrift and vintage fashion, and he brought up an interesting hole in my argument. If I derive such a sense of worth from the uniqueness of a garment, doesn't the fact that there must be others of it (barring hand-made items) somehow detract from the sense of authenticity I feel?

I want to say "oh my goodness, of course not!" but that wouldn't be true. Don't get me wrong, most of my value of and attachment to my thrifted clothing comes from the energy I put into finding it and the joy it brings me, but there's definitely a bit of a letdown when I see someone else with that item.

Oddly enough, I've had the very rare occurrence of seeing another person in the same vintage piece (sort of) happen to me twice in the last week. I saw one of my thrifted vintage dresses on eBay (can't for the life of me find the listing, but I tried), and last Thursday, Katy from Kansas Couture sported a seventies skort that I have in a different color. Seeing what I think of as "my" clothes on other people shocked me a bit, but I don't think it actually diminished my enjoyment of my clothes. What really gets to me is seeing another woman wearing a piece from a mass-market retailer, probably because it reminds me of how terribly Unoriginal and Unspecial my garment is.

Moving out of my dorm room this week has drawn my attention to just how much goddamn clothing I have. I can't help but feel quite materialistic. I'm surrounded by stuff, and I imagine that I love it even though I know it couldn't possibly love me back. I see many of possessions as extensions of myself. I think that's why it unsettles me to see other people wearing the same thing as me--I see it as them wearing my identity. Of course, they aren't. They're just wearing clothes, and I'm making up a crazy story.

Oh, and just for fun, here's a photo of me from five years ago. I've had the same Photobucket for six years, and it's organized by month and year. It's pretty cool to be able to see me and my life change with nice precise dates.


This was in my midi skirt, Converse Chuck Taylors, and pearls phase. Oh geez.

Today's title comes from New Order -- "Age of Consent," a song that invariably puts me in a great mood.

8 comments:

Gertrude said...

You looked so different as a brunette! I really love the blue blazer. I don't mind seeing others wearing an item that I own, but it depends what 'type' of person she is. I know it sounds too stupid, but if for example I see a 10-year old wearing the same t-shirt, I wouldn't want to wear it again.

Kathryn from Schoolmarm Style said...

I personally love seeing people wearing the same (or very similar) items to me. It gives me remixing inspiration. I do however, understand your feeling of the lack of originality in an outfit.

On the other hand, that blue blazer is super cute- great score!

callie said...

I've never come across someone who had the same thrifted piece as me (although I'm sure it will happen eventually), and that definitely is one of the main reasons I like thrifting so much. I agree that my clothing is sort of like an extension of me so I hate when I see people wearing the same thing! I bought a dress on sale at UO a while ago and really liked it, but after seeing so many other bloggers and people who have it I don't even really like it anymore. I'll probably just give it away.

Anyways you look awesome. That blazer is the best color!! Gosh you have the best luck.

Congrats with finishing school for the summer! Must be a relief. Tell me more about the Modcloth job! ^_^

ilene @ muchloveilly said...

that's you?! i love it!!!! i love both looks really...they are so different. but it is funny to look back at old phases. loving that blazer too!!

Annalise said...

Congratulations for being done with school for the summer. Do you have lots of fun plans for the season?
I love you with that dark hair. Cute!!
XOXO

JennaStevie said...

This look is sooo good. I love the blue blazer, and that skirt is so so pretty! Your hair looks so great with this look too.
I think I've only ever come across one person with the same dress as me (even from f21) so thrift makes it less likely, but I like that I'm recycling clothing when I thrift and that the pieces are original.
xJennaD

Hope Adela Pasztor said...

great blazer! you remind me of a modern alice in wonderland! =)

http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

Jo - Lost in the Haze said...

I absolutely adore the bright pop of colour! And I love your hair!

x
www.lostinthehaze.com