i have a lot of vintage gear, this is probably the first time i’ve written about it, though. i’ve bought vintage for years, since I first visited Manchester with some friends and scoured a corner thrift, i bought a black nascar t shirt i’ll never grow into, and a green olympic sweater i wear regularly, and has been stolen many times by my sister many years ago and by my girlfriend right now. I write this as I sit and admire a purple Russell sweatshirt that just arrived today, size Large and quite nice in hue, a gentle fade, boxy fit.
I’ve had an interest in fashion since early social media days really, when menswear subreddits and /fa/ was fresh media. They were small, micro influencing was big, I can still remember r/streetwear in 2016. Over time, niche comes and goes, curiosity and interest takes you down different rabbit holes. Instagram led a frontier of curators and sellers for all interests. I watched American fashion culture and the lifestyle they had. I’d shop baggy jeans on Depop and skateboard in the library carpark, listening to BROCKHAMPTON in one earbud. I shared an interest in niche fashion with my girlfriend at the time, as well as college friends and online moots. Time passed and trends changed, I bought Rick Owens items and sauntered in my statement swag. I dressed ‘avant garde’ and dyed my hair black, going to see The 1975 in Manchester and thinking Matty was so cool. 2018, I think.
I think I grew to care less about the subcultures as I worked more, having less time to spend on these endevours for fashionistic nirvana, I watched less content, spent less time online, and within this time I settled into the style that I continue to indulge in, the one I can’t quite describe.
I’ve picked up a special selection of clothes over time, probably too much to recount, theres jeans, Japanese and American denim, Levi 501s, 505s, all with unique fades, heelbites, knee holes, patchworks. Work pants and fatigues for work and casual, all used and beautiful in shade, style, utility. Leather jackets and boots, unique and my own, cared and kept clean. Different styles of A2 and N2 USN jackets, work jackets, one from the 50s I’m sure. Plaid button up shirts and countless Tshirts, aged, single stitch, faded, novelty, some with holes… Russell Athletic, Champion, hoodies I prefer and a few joggers too, all aged, lovely coloured, and well fitting on me. Accessories like my glasses, a vintage pair of 1970s YSL gold plated frames, delicate but bold. My wallet, a beautiful brown leather with patina and character. I have a few nice watches, Omega, and Lacroix, darling. Gold and brown, both from my dear Grandfathers. My desire for preloved extends beyond clothes, but that’s another post.
I don’t want to know how much I’ve spent on clothes my whole life, but it’s a hobby I’ve come to treasure and nourish slowly. I’ve given things to my friends and family, traded and gifted. I swapped a pair of fake Yeezy slides for a plant cutting once. My sister has at least 2-3 sweaters or hoodies that didn’t fit me great.
What you wear defines who you are, and how you act. It defines your confidence, your intent, your status or your attitude. Fashion has existed as long as social constructs, and should be viewed as such.
