|
|
|
I think I've always loved clothes, even from a very young age. I grew up with a single Mum and we never had a ton of money but she would sometimes take me to fancy kids shops and put outfits on layby for me. I can still remember specific pieces from as young as 7 or 8, I used to try and not wear them too much to keep them "new".
My Dad lived in Sydney back in the 70s & 80s so we'd visit him once a year and bring back "cool" clothes that weren't available yet in NZ, it felt so special to have these "fashionable" things! When I became a teenager my love of vintage took over and "new" wasn't so important anymore! I think my Mum was equal parts alarmed at some of the tattered stuff I used to wear & a little bit pleased she wasn't shelling out for pricey new things for her fussy kid anymore. |
|
If I wouldn't want to wear it on an "off" day then I'll probably never wear it! |
TRENDS VS. STYLEStyle is such a personal thing and it can be hard to navigate what works for you at certain stages of life, or at least the last 10 years have felt like that for me. But, I think at the core of my "style" are things that always make me feel "at home" in my clothes if that makes sense; vintage tees & worn jeans, comfortable soft dresses.
The 70s is my favorite decade clothing-wise but I love a 40s silhouette too for when I feel like my waist is getting lost in muumuus! I don't follow "runway" trends, am actually pretty useless at identifying designers but I do love that vintage style is just so recognizable in new clothing today & at the age I am now it's fun to be branching out of vintage & into more current brands that lean towards past decades I love. 
|
Feminism & FashionI love the exploration of women's experience that vintage clothing research affords, how each era defined a point in time. I think that's why I love the 70s so much, that sense of liberation and comfort with sexuality, natural bodies, tan lines & body hair! I think it's great that we are moving away from such specific definitions of "beauty" too. Armpit hair is real, most people don't identify with that generic "nude" color & we are all different sizes. I love seeing that reflected today in fashion branding - more please!
As women we don't set out in the morning thinking 'oh how can I dress for other people today', we're just living our lives wearing whatever we want to & should be left alone regardless of what we are wearing! Images: Amy Thorowgood for the Ginny & Jude Women Project
|
|
