When I spoke about wearing pants in this interview with
of Cup of Jo and now, Big Salad, I should have known then that another story would reveal itself to me. At this point, there’s always one more thing beneath the epidermis of my words, and of my own self. Of ourselves. I put on black pants and spoke of suits, and was surprised about the fairness in the tailoring, something I had long forgotten about.“Lately, I’ve worn more dress slacks than ever before. These are from a vintage suit, and I took them to the cleaners to have them tailored for my body. They’re perfect for meetings. As an artist and a Black woman and someone who didn’t finish college but has written books, I’ve enjoyed shifting to own my accomplishments and feeling like, I deserve to wear pants in this room.”
In addition to the black outfit, I threw on a few layers of denim—reliable and easy. All of which had belonged to me long ago. It wasn’t until after the shoot when I looked at the photos, I came to the realization that I wore the same jeans six years ago in my first Week Of Outfits. The degree to which this wasn’t surprising was, well, surprising. I spend an awful lot of time talking myself down from sharing style posts on social media because I hardly ever wear anything new unless it's a big deal (which is defined by not-so strategic internal measures), or it was gifted to me. My closet—which I just organized over the course of the last month or so—is evidence of this. But for the most part, I realize now as I write to you from my bed, staring at the colors, the textures, and my failing (but still there, organizational skills), it is evidence of a person who loves old things. Long before I had a blog in 2011, and surely before this Substack ten years later. It is why—in truth—this series exists. It is an answer to the reality I am a repeat wearer of new things, but mostly old things. Subconsciously, so. If I could buy used and vintage, I’d rather. If I can purchase something new, small and sustainable, I surely will.
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