November 2024
Tis the season for repair and repurpose
Welcome back!
A common misconception about me is that I like to shop, but I strongly dislike shopping. Most retail experiences stress me out and on more than one occasion my husband has politely ushered me out of a store when a salesperson got too pushy, and I practically shut down. It’s hard to know what you like or what looks good without trying things on, and it’s difficult (not to mention environmentally harmful) to buy online just to try.
Despite all that, I truly love shopping for other people. I have a Locker collection titled, “Gifts” that I add to all year long whenever I spot something that I know someone would love. And then gift guide season begins. There’s a gift guide pretty much everywhere I look and the pressure to buy tartan pajamas, cashmere gloves, and sequins compounds until I find myself just buying things. Gift guide makers are tapping into the aspirational version of “you” during the holidays, but the reality is you do not need to buy something new to be holiday “you”. Instead, resist the gift guides, wear what you already own and love, and gift people what they really want: something special they wouldn’t buy for themselves. Consider this my ‘not a gift guide’ gift guide.
You don’t need to buy new when it comes to homewares, and this doesn’t just apply to gifting.
Scour the thrift (or pickup something weird at Fishy Eddy if you’re in NYC) and find some preowned dinnerware. Or make a serving patter or dinnerware special with these homeware stickers.
I love a vintage shop or estate sale for glassware. If you prefer someone to do the sourcing for you check out Rosemary Home for amazing vintage finds you can buy online.
When we upholstered our couch, I kept the extra fabric and have enough to make a few small pillows. Most local tailors or upholstery shops can easily make pillows and other home goods.
This also applies to clothing and accessories, but almost anything can be embroidered and customized. I went to Eva Joan last year to have a spare set of pillowcases embroidered as gift. Napkins, tablecloths, pillows, really anything! All of these things can be found preowned.
If preowned is not for you, then try to find something from a small shop you love. When on vacation last year, I found a ceramic store I loved and the artist mentioned he took custom orders. I told him what I wanted and the price and a few weeks later he shipped me handmade dishes that I gifted to our family. Highly recommend doing this for candle holders, trinket dishes, or mugs.
Food items may not be the first thing you think of for gifting, but most people are not buying specialty items for themselves, which makes them perfect as gifts. There’s a good chance you know if the people close to you drink coffee or tea, if they eat breakfast, if have a sweet tooth, if they put hot sauce on everything, or love watching movies at home.
If you are going to buy new, I highly suggest you buy something that Sam Kidd Shelton has recommended. Not only does she have incredible taste, but she has used or bought most of what she features in Sam’s Seven. She’s where I found these chocolate sardines that everyone will be getting this year. Give yourself the gift a become a paying subscriber.
In addition to gift guide season, it’s also sale season. Resist the sales and instead use this time to take stock of what unworn items in your wardrobe need repair or can be repurposed. Repair and repurpose is the best way to enjoy something “new” without buying new. This is a list of my go-to specialists, but feel free to add anything missing in the comments!
Tailor. You may think they’re just for hemming pants but they can do so much more! Tailors can add or change sleeves, add pockets, and repair/replace broken zippers. Before you think something cannot be changed go talk to a tailor. Some even make custom garments if you’re looking for something special.
Patching and Embroidery. Most tailors will patch garments to hide the damage, but some specialists patch through decoration. I mentioned Eva Joan above, but they are true artists when it comes to patching. This is a special way to repair pants, sweaters, and more.
Cobbler. The most common visit to a cobbler is to fix or replace the bottoms of shoes, but they can also add tread to slippery soles, stretch the toes or heels if they’re causing blisters, change laces, clean leather, and fix zippers. My absolutely favorite thing about the cobbler is that they can dye leather almost any color. I’ve dyed a handful of shoes over the years to extend the life of the styles I love. While most people only go to their cobbler for shoes, they also work on a variety of leather goods. So if you have a belt that needs an extra hole, a leather jacket that needs some love, or a handbag that needs repair or dyed they can probably help.
Dyeing. Fabric dyeing is one the easiest ways to keep your favorite items in rotation. Once a year I dunk all my black cotton garments in a black dye bath to keep them looking vibrant. If you’re not a DIY-er you can send your items to Green Matters for their monthly community dyelots, or their community indigo vats. They also sell a shipping kit for the monthly dyelot as a gift!
And with that, let’s take a look back at October.
What I Bought Last Month
I haven’t bought boots in years, and after trying on close to a dozen pairs I went home with these. Cannot wait to wear them when the temperature starts to dip.
What I Sold Last Month
After years of wear it was finally time to say goodbye to this striped TOTEME sweater. I wore this silk Markarian gown to a wedding in 2021 and it’s been sitting in my closet ever since. Happy these both found news homes.
Most Worn Items Last Month
A nice return to closed toe shoes. I’ve had these loafers for a few years and have worn them almost 70 times. I’ve already had the soles repaired and just give them a good polish every once in a while. I’ve only had my Chanel ballet flats since last spring and I’ve worn them over 50 times. They’re so comfortable and look good with almost everything. I’m looking froward to getting a lot of wear out of them before winter.
See you next month!
Lauryn
♥️ To let me know you’re enjoying Data Made Me Wear It, and this post is public so please share it with someone else.
🛒 You may have noticed some affiliate links, which I may earn a small commission from. These are not to encourage you to buy (you probably already have something great in your closet!) but instead link to actual products I buy and love because it’s important to me to cite my sources.
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I’m now going to take a wool vest + jacket I let get moth eaten to do fun patching at Eva Joan! So excited!