I Like Clothes That Have Truly Lived

Lately, I've been drawn to rugged men's vintage clothing.

Slightly oversized hoodies.

Thick, heavy sweatshirts.

Clothes with logos from the military, police, fire departments, universities, or companies.

They aren't flashy designs.

In fact, the colors are relatively subdued, like navy or gray.

But if you look closely, the prints are slightly faded, or the fabric has been washed many times.

The other day, I found a hoodie at a vintage shop with "NAVY" written on it.

The tag said "MADE IN USA."

There was a small "NAVY" on the chest.

And a large "NAVY" on the back.

It was thick and felt like a truly practical item.

I suspect it was probably military training wear.

I don't know its exact history.

But I can sort of see its background.

Maybe someone wore it during training.

Maybe they threw it on during a cold day.

Maybe it was washed over and over during work or daily life, and the color faded little by little.

When I see clothes like that, I think they look cool.

It's not that I like all vintage clothes.

I'm more drawn to clothes that have actual traces of someone having used them, rather than new clothes intentionally processed to look vintage.

The fading of a print.

Natural color fading.

Fabric that has become a little softer.

Company names, unit names, school names, shop names.

Things that convey that the garment wasn't just displayed, but used for something.

In other words,

I think I like "clothes that carry time."

Of course, it's not that anything worn out is good.

Clothes with stretched-out collars, fabric that's become too thin, or clothes that make me look tired when I wear them are a bit different.

Being old and being well-aged are not the same thing.

What I like are clothes that still have strength in the fabric.

Sturdy cotton.

Thick sweatshirts.

Shirts that keep their shape even after being washed.

Clothes that have traces of use but can still be worn.

There is a coolness there that new clothes don't have.

Lately, I've started to understand a bit more about what I look for in vintage clothes.

It's not just the brand name.

It's not just the trends.

It's not about "looking younger if I wear this" or

"looking trendy."

Where were these clothes used?

What kind of work did the person who wore them do?

What were these clothes made for?

Being able to imagine such stories.

I think that is the fun of vintage clothing for me.

That's why I like not only specialty shops where things are neatly arranged, but also recycle shops and uniform-price vintage stores.

In specialty shops, the price includes the history and rarity of the clothes.

That's interesting in its own way.

But in cluttered shops, there are clothes whose value hasn't been explained yet.

Just a hoodie with a contractor's logo.

A shirt that was someone's workwear.

A sweatshirt with a school or facility name on it.

When I find such clothes at a bargain price, it feels like I'm treasure hunting.

It doesn't have to be a famous brand.

In fact, sometimes I'm more curious about clothes where I don't really know who made them.

I think I like clothes that have been properly used,

properly accumulated time,

and yet still have strength left.

Maybe it's not just about clothes.

Rather than things that are flawless, perfect, and complete from the start,

I am drawn to things that have been through something,

even if they are a little worn,

or faded.

I think those traces are cool.

I like clothes that have truly lived.

#CoinBridge
#PersonWhoVerbalizesStructures
#VintageClothing
#40sOutfit
#InTheMiddleOfRecovery
#ConsultationBeforeConsultation
#NoNeedToEraseTheBackgroundOfClothesOrPeople

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#CoinBridge
Verbalizing structures and connecting the field with systems

To those reading for the first time: My activities and CoinBridge are summarized here.