Fashion people share the pieces they’ve inherited from their mums
IMAGE VIA @aaeshleyyy/INSTAGRAM
as told to fashion journal
Hand-me-downs.
Our clothes can carry a lot of meaning. There might be a dress you wore on a first date, a particular top you found in a flea market overseas, or a special investment bag you bought with your first big paycheck. Though at times, our purchases might feel frivolous, our wardrobes can also tell a story of our lives.
This can really ring true when it comes to something you’ve been lucky enough to inherit. Whether it’s a pair of shoes, a jacket or jewellery, being able to keep and wear a special item from someone you love – like your mum – can feel like you’re carrying a piece of their history with you.
For more on slow fashion, head to our Pre-Loved section.
Wearing something that once belonged to someone you loved has a way of making you feel close to them. It might reveal who they once were – an art student with a hawk eye at an op shop, or a careful collector with good taste in jewellery.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, we asked five fashion creatives to share the most special pieces they’ve inherited from their mothers and mother figures.
Tulsi Prasad, artist
I love wearing my mum’s clothes. The majority of my clothing and jewellery is hers. She has the best pieces – so groovy and too cute! I feel like it’s so special to be able to wear something she did when she was my age, or when she was pregnant with me.
I love her Playboy jacket and army green shirt in particular! It goes so well together, and it keeps me so cozy and makes me feel like a powerful woman. Wearing her dresses is also my favourite thing. I have three of her black and white dresses (including the one she’s wearing in the image above). Honestly, I need more. I’m happier to be more like her.
I hope to pass my own style down to my children or whoever my clothes end up with. Clothes live multiple lives. I think it’s wonderful.
Hattie Nixon, digital creator
Before I moved to Melbourne last year, I strategically went through my mum’s wardrobe to see what I could ‘borrow’ and take with me. My mum has always had the most exquisite style, and when I saw this denim jacket, I knew it had to be mine. She told me she bought it in 2007 on her first trip to NYC and has kept it ever since.
It’s such a special piece for her to commemorate that trip. It fits me so well and has the coolest zip that starts from the waist and then has all of these eyelets all over – truly such an amazing piece. The washed denim look has stood the test of time, and every time I wear it, I think about my mama.
Tali Zevi, owner of Who Boutique
When Mum was travelling through Thailand in 1991, she knew she was going to make one big purchase to remember her trip. She stumbled across a boutique that stocked European labels and found this jacket. $500 today is a lot of money on a jacket, so I can only imagine $500 thirty years ago would’ve felt like a huge purchase. But I’m glad she made it because I have now been able to wear this jacket more times than I can count!
Even to this day, Mum tells me that jackets are always a good investment and something you will keep in your wardrobe for generations. Now, as I make my own journey into motherhood, I think about what I want to pass on to my children and how special that I will now have this jacket to give to my future daughter.
Liv Brown, fashion stylist at Rattle Style
Growing up, I spent so much time in my mum’s wardrobe. Not so much for her clothes (although I wish she’d kept everything from her thirties because I’m obsessed), but for her accessories. She had the best collection of bags and jewellery, always a chunky pair of sunglasses and a ring on every finger.
This bag in particular is my favourite. She wore it to death, then handed it down to me about 10 years ago, and it’s still in my weekly rotation. It has no label or tag, so I’m not sure of the brand, but you can tell it’s beautiful, high-quality leather.
All of my mum’s hand-me-downs mean so much to me. They’re a reminder of how close we were before her dementia. She’s still here with us, but in the final stages, so wearing something of hers each day feels really important to me.
Ashley Belle, digital creator
Immediately, my mum’s old leopard print kitten heels come to mind! These vintage kitten heels are high in my wardrobe rotation because they’re so comfy, fit like a glove and even though they’re a bit of a bold pattern, they really go with everything.
These were handed down from my mum, who bought them when she was around my age – and she was seriously ahead of her time. Leopard print kitten heels really are everywhere right now, but you can’t beat a vintage ’90s kitten heel. I recently wore them to Fashion Week! They go everywhere with me.
Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal‘s Assistant Editor
I’m very lucky to share a lot of wardrobe pieces with my mum! We wear the same size and have fairly similar tastes, so it can be a revolving door of clothes. Despite that, I’ve only inherited a few of her older pieces from when she was younger.
One is a really gorgeous cream, scallop-edged T-shirt and cardigan set from Agnès B that my grandma bought her on a trip to Paris around 25 years ago, which I’m now a proud owner of. I’m a little scared to wear that day-to-day for fear of staining it, but the other item I do get a lot of wear out of is her old silver Tiffany and Co bangle. I don’t own any other bracelets or silver jewellery, so this one feels extra special. It’s such a simple, minimal style and goes with just about anything.
For more on mothers and clothing, try this.
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