Facebook Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok Icon YouTube Icon Headphones Icon Favorite Navigation Search Icon Forum Search Icon Main Search Icon Close Icon Video Play Icon Indicator Arrow Icon Close Icon Hamburger/Search Icon Plus Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon

Conversational Threads

Clothing that stand the Test of Time

GailAnn | Posted in Feedback on Threads on

The summer before my Sophomore year in high-school, so about 1966, I was sent to an Aunt who lived in Connecticut to learn to sew.  I had already completed my first two years of home-ec (8th and 9th grade), so I could make an apron, a skirt, many useful, necessary things.

After she walked me through a basic dress (Yellow with a red pinstripe, zip up the back, collar, darts front and back, barely above the knee, long sleeves gathered onto a 3/4″ cuff), Auntie and I took the train into New York to select fabric for a suit. 

Yes, Miss Amber, girls in high school did wear suits, “back in the day”.

She said that I could choose any fabric I wanted.  But.. When I finally settled upon a beautiful blue and black irridescent thai silk, Auntie vetoed me!  Saying that Thai Silk rots with age and wouldn’t last in my wardrobe. I would be unhappy with it in the long run.

We decided on another “more sensible” fabric.  We chose the lining and notions to go with it, made our purchases, took in my first ‘off Broadway’ play, had a lovely dinner and rode the train back to Connecticut!

Several days later I asked Auntie, “Just how long could a person expect Thai Silk to last in her wardrobe?”

“Oh, My Dear, not more than 10 or 12 years, at the most.”

This is why I like Threads.  It speaks to those of us who want the best quality we can afford and are willing to take the time to make it for ourselves.  Gail


Edited 1/21/2008 10:06 am ET by GailAnn

Replies

  1. damascusannie | | #1

    I have a light weight pleated wool skirt that was my mom's. She got it in the mid-1950s and both I and my daughter have worn it and gotten compliments on it. The truly classic stuff never goes out of style. I also have a 1950s vintage dress that we got at a boutique, with the original tags still on it. It was never worn until we got it. I've worn it once to demo at a quilt show and my youngest daughter wore it to her sister's wedding. The fabrics in both of these garments are such high-quality. Much better than the ready-to-wear that we get now in the same price range.Annie

    1. GailAnn | | #2

      In 1981, I took my daughter for swimming lessons. 

      Another young mother at the indoor pool, had on a beautiful jacket with mother-of-pearl buttons.  I complemented her on her jacket.  Turns out it was (of course) a Pendelton ladies jacket, previously worn by the ladie's mother, but originally purchased for her grandmother's going away to college wardrobe!

      If the value of that jacket were to be calculated out on a "Cost per Wearing" basis, it would probably work out to less than a penny! 

      Cheap clothing is VERY EXPENSIVE.

      The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has been forgotten.  Gail

      1. damascusannie | | #3

        When we were out for supper New Year's Eve, I spotted an elderly woman wearing a stunning beaded jacket in the lobby. I complimented her on it and she told me that it had been her mothers'. I did a quick mental calculation and I figured that it had to have been from the 40s. Annie

This post is archived.

Threads Insider

Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.

Start Your Free Trial

Already an Insider? Log in

Conversational Threads

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |

Threads Insider Exclusives

View All
View All

Highlights