The Chilean poet Pablo Neruda loved "things." His three homes are filled with his treasures--colored glass, figureheads from old ships, masks from around the world--and he composed odes to birds, to salt, to socks. In "Ode to Common Things," he writes, "many things conspired to tell me the whole story. Not only did they touch me, or my hand touched them: they were so close that they were a part of my being, they were so alive with me that they lived half my life and will die half my death." He believed that everything ever made bore "the trace of someone’s fingers on their handle or surface, the trace of a distant hand lost in the depths of forgetfulness."
I can relate to Pablo Neruda, because that's exactly how I feel about vintage clothing. That by slipping on a dress I might be able to share a piece of the previous owner's spirit. It's not about capital-F Fashion at all. So I wasn't even mad today when the wind kept blowing my dress askew or passersby stared. I felt romantic and content, illuminated by the hazy afternoon sunlight, and it was a nice feeling.
Outfit details:
1940's dress via Dethrose Vintage
Madewell heels
I feel that way about vintage too. It's more about story than about a statement or a style-- though I do love to play with color and shape when I decide what to wear. Funny enough, I have a similar attitude towards the elements as you described. I am always amused when someone who doesn't know me well *gapes* when I sit in the grass in a vintage dress. Haha, silly people. Life does not stay perfectly clean or polished, and that's what these garments were worn for-- life! Kindred spirit lady. :)
ReplyDeleteI constantly wonder whether or not I should continue blogging, but a comment like yours makes the decision an easy one. Kindred spirits indeed. <3
DeleteThat dress is supurb... I did feel so strongly for vintage and loved my dresses and what they meant for so long. Until they stopped fitting me. I now kinda look at the pretty things with pity cause my 25" waist is no longer. I used to do everything in vintage... maybe I'll bring myself to buy a new flock of lovely dresses that have already had many adventures and give them new ones.
ReplyDeleteLauren
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