What Makes Good Clothes Good?

Today someone was asking me about tailored garments, and referencing things they read online. While I think the internet is an amazing resource to learn from I think it is difficult to discern what is useful and what is not. Most things people talk to me about between the relationship to a garment and it’s “good-ness” are almost always words used for marketing and have little to no relationship to an actual garment. I think that we are so accustomed to being sold things that it is difficult to deconstruct this language and find the truth beneath it. I will say a huge majority of the language of fashion is directly related to it’s ability to sell the garment. So be cautious of spending too much time reading about garments. A question I hear a lot in my shop is “Is this a good garment?” or “I only got this for $X.XX.” with the person implying that the garments cost reflects its value. When I get asked these questions I can read the garment and look for markers that to me signify an aspect of “good-ness”. I think the difficulty with this question is that it is so subjective. I think also using a garments monetary value as a means of judgement can be misguided as well. The cost of garments today is can be low, while the raw materials, and amount of labor that goes into a garment all have significant value that to me exceed the sticker price. I think this is something I have written and talked about before.

I think another aspect I am hit with often is people who criticize “fashion” that challenges them. I am often confronted with people who hear that I work with clothes and begin to talk s*%t about things they see on the runway that oppose their existing ideas on what clothes are and should be. Preconceptions can really get in the way of growth. I think that if you can face things with openness and question things that make you react strongly, you’ll find more answers and learn more about yourself as well. There may be “good-ness’ in things that you initially disagree with, if you allow yourself to exam it closer.

I think finally on this rant. The most important thing when developing a sense of “good-ness” in clothes is to go out and touch, look and wear clothes. Lot’s of it. Make your own scale and values. Where you create this value scale is where you will find your own unique voice and style when it comes to clothing. Something that will come from you, and your lived experiences, your opinions, thoughts, feelings, and interests.

Anyways, thanks for reading. Stay open and curious.