I was already tearing up reading this wonderful essay, and then was totally honored to see you mention mine at the end as a reading rec, thank you! This was so powerful to read.
Ah thank you! I have worked and noodled with this one so much that I can’t see it fresh so this means a lot! And your piece was so clarifying and stunning; it complements what I’m trying to say about how clothing can be a mindful pursuit and that will even heighten its power
As someone who loves both food and fashion and originally wanted to get into fashion before becoming a farmer, I can't tell you how much I love this piece. It gets me on multiple levels in a way that doesn't often occur.I was obsessed with Marc by Marc Jacobs and thought he was the absolute epitome of cool from my late teens into my mid-twenties and I still treasure a couple dresses, some amazing jelly shoes and a gigantic quilted handbag. Most of my life as a farmer is spent in holey tshirts and jeans, but I have a collection of designer sunglasses (most thrifted and a couple new) that are my babies. I also read all my mom's Vogues as a child and now my mom simply sighs whenever I find her a thrifted treasure she loves and says that I have surpassed her in taste and style. 😂
Ah! I missed this one last week and reading it was a treat! We came of age at similar times, I think, so a lot of this really spoke to me— I too recall cutting up my clothes when I got tired of them and wanted something 'new' (I still have to fight not to cut half my tees into crop tops and tanks every summer). I didn't set out not to buy new clothes in 2024, but as I spend the better part of the year unemployed, I kind of came to it out of necessity, aside from a couple thrift store finds. It made me evaluate how much I liked or didn't like the multitude of things I already had. There wasn't really much I wished I could buy and couldn't. I worked in retail for years, so I've definitely amassed more than I need.
I especially loved the bit about design and craftsmanship mattering more than brand names (often upheld as a marker of quality, when that's not always earned, it's simply a marker of wealth). Because I knit, I sort of have to feel that way, otherwise I wouldn't do it! I recently saw someone post two side-by-side images of similar outfits decades apart, lamenting that sweaters used to be better made than they are now, and when someone challenged them to look past fast fashion someone else posted a screenshot of prices of better-quality things saying the cost was outrageous— they were all in the $50-100 range. And to me, yes, that is outrageous, because a well-made sweater should cost a lot MORE than that!
I think if more people took a step back from shopping, whether by choice or necessity, and dealt with it from a point of neutrality rather than scarcity, so many people would realize they already have so much! But it’s much easier said than done and takes a lot of detachment from societal norms that condition us to only feel “good”—as in dopamine and as in righteous—when we are consuming, because it means we are capable of being consumers, and so we’re worthwhile.
People are so weird about clothing costs. Good craftsmanship costs because we don’t actually need 10 new sweaters every winter! Maybe we need or want one great one every few years. Same with everything: if it’s made well, it lasts, you don’t need a new one all the time! I love that you knit — so cool! And means you can do so much for yourself!
Brilliant as always! I constantly think about the parallels between fashion and food, especially as it comes down to who deems things to be worthy of attention and what it means to define your style or taste philosophy. Lately, I’ve noticed that the same trend cycle that fashion has adapted is slowly making its way into food (tomato girl summer, squash girl fall) creating what feels like a hollow appreciation for in season produce. It really has me thinking about how we can create more intention around food consumption when we live in an age of abundance
Also I’ve been on a fashion diet this year and two of the pieces I’ve purchased are from Chava. Can confirm that they’re worth the investment!
Many years ago I worked on a personal project with some friends called Food and Fiber Project, looking at some of the intersections of the two - in particular thinking about where natural fibers + dyes come from, and that they all have a farmer behind them. Really appreciate your take here, and very much sitting with this question of enough/satiation. I’d also recommend Fibershed (if it’s not already on your radar) as an organization taking an interesting approach to fashion via a food/farming lens!
Oh thanks! That’s so cool. I’ve written a little about this before (https://www.aliciakennedy.news/p/on-fabric) and need to put together a list of resources on it to go deep!
I love the brilliant connections you're making here; it resonates with many of us. I can't believe I'm going to quote the problematic (to say the least) Chanel, but I'm reminded of her "Elegance is refusal." It sounds kind of dumb at first, but I've often thought of it as a 'less is more' kind of adage, you know? I also think there's something here that connects with body image. Arwa Mahdawi wrote about how "thin is in again" in The Guardian's "This Week in Patriarchy" (like it ever left.) This message is intimately tied to women spending time, energy and resources (which are limited by the fact that women are paid less) to "achieve" this nebulous thing. And like all consumer behavior, it's an endless cycle.
So many parallels to draw on! I think a lot about kitchen stuff because so many brands were trying to do partnerships and it’s like—I’m good! I have what I need! But it’s so rare for most folks to accept there’s so little we “need” (me too) and it’s an interesting tension.
I think there is definitely a perfect button up shirt or timeless investment piece corollary in the kitchen, as well as the black and white tee shirts! When I was teaching cooking, people always wanted more things: gadgets, appliances, etc. The whole retail therapy concept doesn't come out of nowhere; it's so ingrained (in me) and how so many of us get some kind of dopamine rush or feeling that we will fix ourselves. For me, whether it's clothing or kitchenware, I do grapple with the desire for the new to streamline and have fewer, "just right" things, while I still have serviceable and not ideal versions. Maybe that's my not so tamped down perfectionism peeking out here!
You're right: it "doesn't come out of nowhere"! I constantly remind myself (and sometimes others) that there's a reason Coke and Pepsi and every other huge corporation spends billions of dollars on marketing: because it WORKS.
this was such a great read! i really enjoyed your no-buy year reflections — despite being postpartum and not having clothes fit the same, it’s been oddly enjoyable figuring out how to make what i have work!
My brain did a lil record scratch when you posed being satiated by my clothing. I can't really imagine what that would feel like -- which is a frightening thing! Ha!
I was already tearing up reading this wonderful essay, and then was totally honored to see you mention mine at the end as a reading rec, thank you! This was so powerful to read.
Ah thank you! I have worked and noodled with this one so much that I can’t see it fresh so this means a lot! And your piece was so clarifying and stunning; it complements what I’m trying to say about how clothing can be a mindful pursuit and that will even heighten its power
There is so much to chew on here and I really liked the pacing, the way the essay was segmented worked so well
This means a lot!
Precisely! The pacing makes this piece not only readable, but relatable.
As someone who loves both food and fashion and originally wanted to get into fashion before becoming a farmer, I can't tell you how much I love this piece. It gets me on multiple levels in a way that doesn't often occur.I was obsessed with Marc by Marc Jacobs and thought he was the absolute epitome of cool from my late teens into my mid-twenties and I still treasure a couple dresses, some amazing jelly shoes and a gigantic quilted handbag. Most of my life as a farmer is spent in holey tshirts and jeans, but I have a collection of designer sunglasses (most thrifted and a couple new) that are my babies. I also read all my mom's Vogues as a child and now my mom simply sighs whenever I find her a thrifted treasure she loves and says that I have surpassed her in taste and style. 😂
I LOVE THIS! And I love that you wear designer sunglasses to farm—that is quite a perfect vibe.
perfect as always
Ah! I missed this one last week and reading it was a treat! We came of age at similar times, I think, so a lot of this really spoke to me— I too recall cutting up my clothes when I got tired of them and wanted something 'new' (I still have to fight not to cut half my tees into crop tops and tanks every summer). I didn't set out not to buy new clothes in 2024, but as I spend the better part of the year unemployed, I kind of came to it out of necessity, aside from a couple thrift store finds. It made me evaluate how much I liked or didn't like the multitude of things I already had. There wasn't really much I wished I could buy and couldn't. I worked in retail for years, so I've definitely amassed more than I need.
I especially loved the bit about design and craftsmanship mattering more than brand names (often upheld as a marker of quality, when that's not always earned, it's simply a marker of wealth). Because I knit, I sort of have to feel that way, otherwise I wouldn't do it! I recently saw someone post two side-by-side images of similar outfits decades apart, lamenting that sweaters used to be better made than they are now, and when someone challenged them to look past fast fashion someone else posted a screenshot of prices of better-quality things saying the cost was outrageous— they were all in the $50-100 range. And to me, yes, that is outrageous, because a well-made sweater should cost a lot MORE than that!
I think if more people took a step back from shopping, whether by choice or necessity, and dealt with it from a point of neutrality rather than scarcity, so many people would realize they already have so much! But it’s much easier said than done and takes a lot of detachment from societal norms that condition us to only feel “good”—as in dopamine and as in righteous—when we are consuming, because it means we are capable of being consumers, and so we’re worthwhile.
People are so weird about clothing costs. Good craftsmanship costs because we don’t actually need 10 new sweaters every winter! Maybe we need or want one great one every few years. Same with everything: if it’s made well, it lasts, you don’t need a new one all the time! I love that you knit — so cool! And means you can do so much for yourself!
Brilliant as always! I constantly think about the parallels between fashion and food, especially as it comes down to who deems things to be worthy of attention and what it means to define your style or taste philosophy. Lately, I’ve noticed that the same trend cycle that fashion has adapted is slowly making its way into food (tomato girl summer, squash girl fall) creating what feels like a hollow appreciation for in season produce. It really has me thinking about how we can create more intention around food consumption when we live in an age of abundance
Also I’ve been on a fashion diet this year and two of the pieces I’ve purchased are from Chava. Can confirm that they’re worth the investment!
love this one, can’t wait for the salon!
Many years ago I worked on a personal project with some friends called Food and Fiber Project, looking at some of the intersections of the two - in particular thinking about where natural fibers + dyes come from, and that they all have a farmer behind them. Really appreciate your take here, and very much sitting with this question of enough/satiation. I’d also recommend Fibershed (if it’s not already on your radar) as an organization taking an interesting approach to fashion via a food/farming lens!
Oh thanks! That’s so cool. I’ve written a little about this before (https://www.aliciakennedy.news/p/on-fabric) and need to put together a list of resources on it to go deep!
Oh nice! I have a friend who is steeped in that world if you need some additional resources/ideas :)
Once again proving why you're a god of this newsletter thing! Beautiful essay.
Omg thank you!
A formidable yoking of the two topics that I (for better or worse) think about the most. Really looking forward to the fashion bibliography!
I love the brilliant connections you're making here; it resonates with many of us. I can't believe I'm going to quote the problematic (to say the least) Chanel, but I'm reminded of her "Elegance is refusal." It sounds kind of dumb at first, but I've often thought of it as a 'less is more' kind of adage, you know? I also think there's something here that connects with body image. Arwa Mahdawi wrote about how "thin is in again" in The Guardian's "This Week in Patriarchy" (like it ever left.) This message is intimately tied to women spending time, energy and resources (which are limited by the fact that women are paid less) to "achieve" this nebulous thing. And like all consumer behavior, it's an endless cycle.
I've done thrift-only years but feel like maybe I need a no-buy year. This is inspiring a hard reset!
It is really so clarifying and weirdly so easy, and I really appreciate what I have now
Yes! As always, thoughtful and thought provoking. I think there’s a parallel here to housing and home goods/kitchen goods here as well?
So many parallels to draw on! I think a lot about kitchen stuff because so many brands were trying to do partnerships and it’s like—I’m good! I have what I need! But it’s so rare for most folks to accept there’s so little we “need” (me too) and it’s an interesting tension.
I think there is definitely a perfect button up shirt or timeless investment piece corollary in the kitchen, as well as the black and white tee shirts! When I was teaching cooking, people always wanted more things: gadgets, appliances, etc. The whole retail therapy concept doesn't come out of nowhere; it's so ingrained (in me) and how so many of us get some kind of dopamine rush or feeling that we will fix ourselves. For me, whether it's clothing or kitchenware, I do grapple with the desire for the new to streamline and have fewer, "just right" things, while I still have serviceable and not ideal versions. Maybe that's my not so tamped down perfectionism peeking out here!
You're right: it "doesn't come out of nowhere"! I constantly remind myself (and sometimes others) that there's a reason Coke and Pepsi and every other huge corporation spends billions of dollars on marketing: because it WORKS.
this was such a great read! i really enjoyed your no-buy year reflections — despite being postpartum and not having clothes fit the same, it’s been oddly enjoyable figuring out how to make what i have work!
My brain did a lil record scratch when you posed being satiated by my clothing. I can't really imagine what that would feel like -- which is a frightening thing! Ha!