As the year draws to a close, I typically reflect on my purchasing habits during the year. This year, however, I want to focus on the clothes I've worn and repaired, starting with this beautiful 1960s or 1970s Junior Aim skirt suit which was reclaimed by my bonus parents and gifted to me.

Unfortunately, when we took these pictures I busted the dress' zipper! So, it was whisked away to the tailor's shop pretty soon after I received it, but this wasn't the only piece I repaired this year.

I repaired not just clothes, but also shoes, vintage watches, my car, and even a wristlet.

What I repaired:

Clothes

•Patagonia puffer

•A trench coat I've had since 2011

•A tried and true blue J. Crew dress that I love

•A pink blanket that my grandmother sent that got eaten by the washing machine. I actually had enough punches in my Alyx Jacobs Repair punch card so it was repaired for free!

•My lucky red dress which I continue to bust

Shoes

•Erdem x H&M crocodile patterned leather kitten heels

•I repaired my Arizona Birkenstocks in LFK at Footprints. They needed new footbeds and heels. It was a wonderful repair experience!

•I repaired the heels on my Gucci Brixton loafers

•Shined and replaced the heels on my favorite Chelsea boot

•Sole guards were put on my SJP Carrie Heels

Accessories

•Three vintage watches were repaired (Two needed new batteries and one needed a new movement)

•A Hunter for Target wristlet which I have wanted to use for years was fixed by my tailor!

What I altered:

•This vintage skirt suit needed a new zipper, STAT! I was lucky to get it back in time to wear for a work holiday party and also to see the Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert.

•A vintage skirt that I busted during a photoshoot

•A yellow silk maxi dress from J. Crew

•My bonus mom Diana hemmed some St. Roche track pants for me, not once, but twice!

I was recently telling someone that feel like I spend a lot of my money taking care of my clothes (which I think I can safely say) and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to take care of them. Repairing our clothes minimizes their environmental impact. It extends their lifespan, fosters regenerative living, and creates vibrant fashion communities. Plus, every time I repair my clothing I feel even more connected to them.

A huge shoutout to Alyx Jacobs for her incredible work, Vladimir at Indian Creek Shoe Repair for keeping my shoes in impeccable shape, and Best Tailor for always making sure my clothes fit perfectly!

Wearing: Skirt suit + belt - Vintage Junior Aim (truly one of a kind, but here's a modern option, another option I like, a vintage option, and a second vintage option), shoes - Gucci (exact)

Many thanks to Rose at Paper Crane Photo who took these photos of me at the Studio Reverie.

Wearing & Repairing

December 22, 2024