|
|
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I'll admit it. I don't shop at high end stores but I do extensive searches online for what I consider basic clothing one "should" always be able to find.
Lately all the tops I'm seeing in stores for women, T shirts, blouses, tank tops, etc... are as thin as tissue to the touch and "see through" as well. Young people have no idea that clothes used to be opaque and warm. Every long sleeve blouse also seems to have a scoop neck. The old style button up blouses (a last refuge for the modest) have the top buttons missing altogether. Ladies of a certain age may not wish to show the tops of their arms or their décolletage (and the viewing public would not wish to see mine). The cotton jeans and sweatshirts and sweatpants that used to be all over the place are gone for the most part. I miss the old style jeans. If you can find all cotton it is thin and or weird cuts like low rise or have stupid designs on the pockets, acid wash or full of holes. We had cheap brands when I was young but even the cheapest brands of shoes (other than deck and tennis shoes) were leather and lasted quite a while. I know men have similar issues because I can't find all cotton jersey shorts or T shirts that are not thin as can be without paying a lot extra. I know we've gained the internet, microwaves and cell phones but no-one told us it was a trade. And besides that, I see a lot of kids walking across my yard!!! -Mary Mowder |
NYCTwister Loyal user 267 Posts |
It's a throwaway world Mary.
I remember my grandmother actually repairing my clothes on many occasions. Once we went off the gold standard and things got "made in China", things became so cheap that we don't value them enough to maintain or repair them.
If you need fear to enforce your beliefs, then your beliefs are worthless.
|
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
So true,
Also you can't repair them. The cloth won't hold a stitch and you can't possibly repair a spray on computer circuit. -Mary |
NYCTwister Loyal user 267 Posts |
It's the same with a lot of things.
Take relationships for example. The internet has made meeting people so "cheap" that we're increasingly unable to properly value the people in our life. Why work on a relationship that hits a rough patch, when the next ten are right around the corner to instantly gratify us? Throwaway clothing, throwaway people, throwaway morals; it's all driven by the same wrong mindset.
If you need fear to enforce your beliefs, then your beliefs are worthless.
|
magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Are you open to shopping at thrift stores, Mary? You can find some very cool stuff. I've been frequenting our "Opportunity Shop" quite a bit the past year or so and have started making upcycled clothing. I'll post a link to a pic of a dress I just made, if you'd like to see it. There's some thin fabric on it, but it's fabric I chose . It seems opaque enough, though- I was wearing pants underneath it when I tried it on and took the pics. So I might just wear it outside this winter afterall, with some invisible layers underneath.
|
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 31, 2017, Mary Mowder wrote: When doing Medieval research I stumbled over the info that in some museums the garments are in pieces while in others they are intact. Why would one 12th century dress hold together and another not? Turns out the secret is the use of braided silk thread. After 50 years or so, when garments began showing wear, the thread was removed and reused. Try and fine braided silk thread today. The problem, methinks, is not just a disposable society, but that folks have money they never worked for, and no real hope there will be a tomorrow in which to spend it. you have to be cold to value good cloth, and hungry to appreciate nourishing food. We suffer form life being too easy, with boredom the illegitimate child. As a kid I learned to darn socks. Given the prospect for this country, I may need that skill again. Ditto on gathering wool and silk garments at thrift stores. You may need them, If you can find old, wool army blankets -- they make wonderful ponchos.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Laurie,
I will try again in the thrift stores. Great reminder. Last time I wore a dress was when Tom worked the Magic Castle Close-Up parlor. Unless I'm going to the Castle , I'll never wear one again. LOL I do admire people who can make their own clothes. I've done pretty well with costumes over the years but have not made the jump to making normal garments. Good for you Laurie! Funsway, I think a lot of hard working people shop in Target, Walmart and the like. They just don't find better choices and as the population gets older many don't even know there were once better offerings. You might be right about being cold making you value good cloth. I'm almost always cold (and I live in California). Sadly, cotton feels good but is not very good for holding warmth. That is why I like the cloth thick. I can't wear wool or quite a few of the synthetics. Mending clothes that were made of good cloth is easier than mending clothes that were made cheaply in the first place. -Mary Mowder |
Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
My grandfather passed away in 1979. He was a very skilled tailor. Although he was never wealthy, one of the things he did more than once was have a wealthy woman buy him a bolt of fabric and he could cut the fabric by hand and sew a nice dress from it. Growing up he handled all my mending needs. Sadly I did not inheret his skills. They were very good. I remember vividly his commenting on the quality of the clothes I would wear and how the material got both cheaper and thinner, just in the short period of 1970-1979.
Sadly I think we have become a very disposable society that has no expectation of things that last or can be repaired.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
NYCTwister Loyal user 267 Posts |
Mary,
Since you did pretty good with costumes, maybe you'd like to take a shot. https://www.google.com/search?q=vintage+......ie=UTF-8 You never know, it could be the start of a niche business for you.
If you need fear to enforce your beliefs, then your beliefs are worthless.
|
magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Mary, I wore dresses only on extremely rare occasions earlier in my life.
The last ten years or so I've been more open to them. I decided, while I can, why not broaden my clothing horizons? Recently, though, for some reason, since my Dad passed, I've taken an interest especially in vintage dresses. First, if I recall correctly, I started looking at 70s festival stuff, and then at early 20th Century. I love lace and have a keen interest in the lace overdresses and Edwardian dresses. I started rather keen on empire waist, but recently have taken interest in dropped waist. I've always liked "old fashioned" and antique stuff and period costumes and when I studied Theatre-Arts, I became very interested in Costume Design. So, with my busking this past summer, I went with a period theme and started making some things. I don't use a machine, so it takes awhile, but going one stitch at a time, you can see things developing and prevent catastrophe, so it works for me. Good luck in your searches. Thrifting's a treasure hunt for me now. |
Chessmann Inner circle 4242 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 2, 2018, magicalaurie wrote: Laurie, was your text "Historic Costume for the Stage" by Lucy Barton? I think I've still got my copy!
My ex-cat was named "Muffin". "Vomit" would be a better name for her. AKA "The Evil Ball of Fur".
|
magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
"Theatrical Design and Production" 5th edition- Gillette, which I still have. But I'll check out Lucy Barton! Thanks for the title.
|
imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1337 Posts |
If you’d like to see some top quality clothing check out Duluth Trading Company. I first came across them when my wife bought me a long tailed tee shirt. I’m a tall guy and my wife hated I’d often have a plumbers crack when wearing tee shirts. Duluth makes one that’s an extra 4 inches long. Plus it’s very nice heavy duty material. Since then I’ve gotten jeans and button downs and more from them. Everything is thick quality material. Plus they add gussets and panels to give more space and comfort. You should look over their website.
www.duluthtrading.com
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
|
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
You put the word in quotes that is going to drive you insane. "Should".
That word alone removed from your vocabulary and thinking will help you tremendously. (Took me a LONG TIME!) No sarcasm here no bs and no mean spirited anything. Just very seriously said sentence. Please take it only as intended.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Chessmann Inner circle 4242 Posts |
Mary, oddly enough, my wife and I had similar issues furnishing a new (to us) home. The home was bigger, and much of our current furniture needed replacing, anyway.
We visited a number or furniture stores, but found mostly furniture that was rather modern/spartan looking (hope that description makes sense). We didn't care for it, but didn't really have a handle on what to call what we actually *were* looking for. Pressing on, we found that we preferred 'traditional' furniture, and that the majority of stores didn't stock much of it, but we did find a couple of stores that catered mostly toward traditional, and all went well. I would suggest shopping for clothes during winter months, when stores might be more stocked with heavier items...but you're in California, not to mention that brighter colors are not as prevalent during winter. I'm sure you'll eventually find some good sources, thought it is surely frustrating. Good luck!
My ex-cat was named "Muffin". "Vomit" would be a better name for her. AKA "The Evil Ball of Fur".
|
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Danny, I know what you mean about "should". I'm not there yet.
It is like being the frog in the pot, realizing the issue and deciding to just go with it. Either way it's over but one way is less stress. I'm only pragmatic in fits and starts. -Mary Mowder |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Mary thank you for taking the time to understand my point.
So many people get caught up in should. It is an easy trap to fall into an I have done it myself on many an occasion.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Not very magical, still... » » Thin material in Clothing, etc... (1 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |