One Woman's Trash is Another Woman's Treasure
In the vintage industry, I am constantly reminded of the importance of perspective. One woman's trash is another woman's treasure. The little old grandmother down the street views her furs and evening gowns as outdated fashions from the past, where an avid vintage collector views these garments as valuable gems of historic and aesthetic value. Perspective is most prominently exemplified in venues such as thrift stores, where 1950s prom dresses hang alongside worn jersey mini dresses from Old Navy. Vintage stores and boutiques bear a less drastic, yet equally important, concept of perspective. In my experience at working at brick-and-mortar vintage stores, most items are acquired in a combined fashion. Sometimes the items are sourced by the owner at local auctions, thriftstores, and flea markets. Other times, the items are brought in by people off the street who sell them directly to the owner. Often the most unique items in a store's inventory have been transitioned from the owner's personal collection.
As an Etsy shop owner, the concept of perspective is manifested on a very personal level. Some of the items in my shop were bought specifically with the intention of being resold, but a greater percentage of my inventory used to have a home in my personal collection. Not only is selling on Etsy a great way to make money, but it also enables me to constantly update my wardrobe while making a profit. My style is constantly evolving, and while some pieces of clothing will always have a beloved place in my closet, many garments have a month-long shelf life before they get sent off to my Etsy inventory. Sometimes, after making a fresh new pile of clothing to be listed, I'll wonder why the heck those items were hanging in my closet in the first place. Although I may have hemmed and hawed with myself about giving up a certain item, I almost never reconsider my decision.
Being so aware of changing perspective on a level such as clothing has also increased my awareness of perspective on other levels. Many of the people, places, and things I valued in high school or in college are not contingent with the people, places and things I value today. My old hobbies and favorite haunts, even if not manifested on an active level in my current life, are typically recalled with fondness and nostalgia. For example, even though I may not read multiple books a week like I did back in 10th grade, I will always have an appreciation for literature and those who indulge in it.
People on the other hand, I view much differently. I have childhood friends who I still love and remain in close contact with today, and other friends with whom I have drifted apart, yet enjoy catching up with on the rare occasion that our paths cross. However, there have been several individuals I looked up to, who have since revealed themselves to be the most shallow and non admirable of creatures. I go through a bout of combined self chastisement and amusement when I recall some of these past experiences, much in the same way as I discard what used to be a favorite item from my wardrobe. But even the most unwanted item can find the right home once it's been sent to a thrift store, and even the most questionable individual can eventually find people who accept them. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round, just as it takes all kinds of people to make a thrift store or vintage shop a success. Some of us prefer pink evening gowns and some of us prefer pink sweat pants.
xoxo,
~Hope Adela
Photo: Nikki A. Johnson Wardrobe: Pink Champagne Vintage Model: Lily
Vintage dress, coat, jewelry, and headpiece.
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
As an Etsy shop owner, the concept of perspective is manifested on a very personal level. Some of the items in my shop were bought specifically with the intention of being resold, but a greater percentage of my inventory used to have a home in my personal collection. Not only is selling on Etsy a great way to make money, but it also enables me to constantly update my wardrobe while making a profit. My style is constantly evolving, and while some pieces of clothing will always have a beloved place in my closet, many garments have a month-long shelf life before they get sent off to my Etsy inventory. Sometimes, after making a fresh new pile of clothing to be listed, I'll wonder why the heck those items were hanging in my closet in the first place. Although I may have hemmed and hawed with myself about giving up a certain item, I almost never reconsider my decision.
Being so aware of changing perspective on a level such as clothing has also increased my awareness of perspective on other levels. Many of the people, places, and things I valued in high school or in college are not contingent with the people, places and things I value today. My old hobbies and favorite haunts, even if not manifested on an active level in my current life, are typically recalled with fondness and nostalgia. For example, even though I may not read multiple books a week like I did back in 10th grade, I will always have an appreciation for literature and those who indulge in it.
People on the other hand, I view much differently. I have childhood friends who I still love and remain in close contact with today, and other friends with whom I have drifted apart, yet enjoy catching up with on the rare occasion that our paths cross. However, there have been several individuals I looked up to, who have since revealed themselves to be the most shallow and non admirable of creatures. I go through a bout of combined self chastisement and amusement when I recall some of these past experiences, much in the same way as I discard what used to be a favorite item from my wardrobe. But even the most unwanted item can find the right home once it's been sent to a thrift store, and even the most questionable individual can eventually find people who accept them. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round, just as it takes all kinds of people to make a thrift store or vintage shop a success. Some of us prefer pink evening gowns and some of us prefer pink sweat pants.
xoxo,
~Hope Adela
Photo: Nikki A. Johnson Wardrobe: Pink Champagne Vintage Model: Lily
Vintage dress, coat, jewelry, and headpiece.
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
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