While I was taking pictures, I looked more closely at the only tag in the sweater. I noticed that a woman's name tag was hand sewn onto the brand tag. I clipped the threads below and confirmed that the vest is, indeed, 100% cashmere as I had suspected. However, it was something else that struck me.
There was a time when clothes were special.
I'm guessing this sweater is from the 1950's. This Donna Hotel didn't have as many shopping options as I do today. No malls. No Walmart or Target. No Forever21 or H&M. No internet shopping. No 20+ monthly fashion magazines to vie for her attention and wallet.
I don't know if Ms. Hotel was a woman of means or not, but one thing is clear: her clothes, at the very least this sweater, were important to her. So much so that she had personalized name plates embroidered and hand stitched them into her garments, and in this case, with matching thread! I have to believe that her intention, when she purchased this vest, was to have it for a very long time. It's in such lovely condition, I can tell it's been cherished!
I know I'm being nostalgic for a time before I was even born. But seeing this really spoke to me. How much of my wardrobe is special? Am I filling my closet with "stuff"? Is clothes shopping a hobby or a treasure hunt? Do I mindlessly purchase clothes that really have no value other than being on trend for the season? And the big question: how much of what's in my closet will be there 10 years from now (wow, even 5 years from now) and what condition will it be in?
Often I feel like my soul is from another era. But if it wasn't meant to be for me to live in the 20's or 30's, then maybe it's okay if I take a bit of sentiment and sensibility from that time.
To take a little extra time and effort to select and care for these bits and pieces of fluff that I adorn myself with.
To make my clothes and how I use them........special.
When you have a closet full of pieces you love rather than 'stuff' you tend to wear more of it. I've cone across name tags in vintage pieces, people had a different attitude about clothing back then!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right! I cleaned out my closet today and only kept what I absolutely love and got rid of the "stuff"!
DeleteThis leaves me images of a fabulous woman dressed in cashmere and pearls...a simple, classic diamond ring on her hand...she is chic and her garments are special to her. I love the idea of clothing being this special to women...I guess it changed as less expensive lines flooded the markets. Thanks for the images you conjured up with this post!
ReplyDeleteAwwww Pam! Yes! I can picture that too!! Thanks for the sweetness! I think of you as a woman who chooses her clothes wisely and well!
DeleteI love this post, Serene. In my house, built in 1925, the closets are tiny. The lady of the house could have held only a dozen or so pieces of hanging clothing. I like to think she loved each piece like "Donna" did, and took great care to prolong its life. I don't like disposable clothing!
ReplyDeleteI, like Patti, love this post. I know that I have learned so much about the care of clothing, vintage clothing in particular. I often ponder how this must have been everyday knowledge to women in a previous era.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece! I really love the red color. Serene once again we are the same, I often feel like my soul belongs to another era as well. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Serene! We may well be forced to be a bit more careful about selecting and cherishing clothes if the global economy goes into a nosedive and that would be no bad thing. Resources are scarce and we could all do with caring for and using our clothes for longer rather than buying and chucking every season. I've been struggling with exactly the same questions as you lately and thinking the same things. Will I still want to wear this in ten years? Is it really special? I think a good rule of thumb is that if you truly love it and it makes you feel fabulous then you will.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post!! Oh for the days before "fast fashion"
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you and all of our blog-sisters here! One question I try to ask myself before I bring something home (and this is relatively recent, unfortunately), do I respect it? By that I mean, does it have a soulful quality. Is it well made, are the materials natural or thoughtfully created. Is there the stamp of a human hand on it, and if so, is it the product of a humane environment. Sometimes it's impossible to answer all of these questions, but at least it's easy to tell the glaring exceptions. Making my own clothes, especially from thrifted materials, helps me answer the questions, but I also try to support artists who are asking the same questions.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you look divine in your sweater. I somehow feel that Ms. Hotel would be so happy that you have it, cherishing and appreciating the loveliness of it.
I can't believe I missed this post for so long. I thought this vest was part of a uniform worn at the very upscale Hotel, called The Donna. But seriously, when my mother-in-law died, in her sewing basket there was a roll of labels exactly like this one, with my husband's name. They were sewn into everything he took to camp and I have no idea why she kept them for over 30 years. And my grandmother had them in all her clothes when she went into the retirement home. Cashmere used to be such a luxury!
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