In certain situations, an often employed thought is the idea that once something has been achieved – or in the area of style, bought – it should be replaced. Items, looks, and people are by habit eagerly replaced. Away, they say; I need something new. But all objects eventually grow old. It should be perfectly enough to have in possession something that is functioning, and loved; if not motherly polished. I don’t keep items which I do not like, but I am interested in longevity — made anxious almost by having to replace unless it is absolutely necessary. Marine blue and a bit tarnished, I have had my trenchcoat for over three years. I am entirely myself in it, safe within the arms of seasons passed. A gold-tone brooch sits pinned to it; a bit of metal from the belt has been lost. I loathe the day when my coat has to be replaced.
this sounds so much like my navy blue (too) winter coat. I love it and expresses my style so well.
by the way, I really love your blog!
I feel the same way about my navy trench – and many things. Today I took to the dry cleaners a vintage navy knitted jacket I bought in Florence 14 years ago and still wear. It has shrunk from being washed (now it gets dry cleaned) and had the buttons replaced with Civil Defence WWII buttons from the navy military coat I had to throw away. The knitted jacket isn’t perfect by any means but it is perfect for me and will be with me until it falls apart or is lost.
think you will like this
http://www.metameat.net/kafka/index.php?en
btw, through your style tips, I just found my inspiration in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Lanvin ! this blog is a gem!
sorry to spam here but i just found out that actresses, such as Mary Pickford, and Marlene Dietrich, wore Lanvin clothes. I looooooove Marlene, how peculiar is this? haha
Maria: That’s lovely!
Claire: I wish we could see more from your wardrobe, it sounds marvellous.
limnalhymn: Thanks for the link, I do like Kafka and diaries tend to interest me quite a bit.. If you like old Lanvin, you should look at the Costume Institute’s collection — link is in my links list to the right.
just did, ran into smth else as lovely http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/the_costume_institute/dress_evening_jeanne_hallee/objectview_enlarge.aspx?page=415&sort=0&sortdir=asc&keyword=&fp=1&dd1=8&dd2=0&vw=1&collID=8&OID=80018063&vT=1&hi=0&ov=0
;p
are you perhaps on last.fm?
this is my account there http://www.last.fm/user/cell_44
I also run this group with various art/literature/film threads
http://www.last.fm/group/Pandora`s+box
Beautiful post. And so true.
i agree completely. i hate western culture’s obsession with all things shiny and new. it reeks of consumerism. there is so much more poetry in things, people, places that are well-loved.
very true. i strongly dislike the throwaway-culture. carrying things through the years is so much sexier.
lovely
and love your writing…
I agree – I have to really destroy something to agree to throw it out. Otherwise if it just doesn’t work on me, I give it to close friends. Recently though I tend to acquire quite carefully so whatever I do get tends to stick around…which is as it should be I feel.
I act the same towards my wearable possessions. I even have the tendency to keep a piece I can’t wear by any means anymore but will save as a witness of so many adventures, of a part of my life. As others commented above, I have been trying to be more careful with my purchases, selecting carefully every item as I would do with friends I keep in confidence.
Can you tell me more about your trench? I am obsessed with that color blue. So lovely.
Thank you.
ive had this peacoat for almost five years, i have to repeatedly replace it’s buttons and keep dust off it, that, for some reason, gets more easily on to it now after the years, despite this, i love it and i feel safe whenever i wear it, which is often. if i dont wear it, i feel bare!
I’m glad so many of you share similar thoughts.
La bella figura: Well, I bought it in March 2007 right before a memorable stay in Paris. It is the one piece of clothing I currently own from H&M. And yes, the color is great! Hope you can find something similar.
agnes: I think that sounds wonderful, one’s relation to clothes should be like that more often.. A long procedure.