Style File: Originals

My Life: STYLE FILE

ORIGINALS

On a recent trip to Santa Fe, my daughter and I hunted through a vintage clothing consignment shop. My daughter spotted a dress whose hard-to-find tag would later reveal it was an original "Karen Stark for Harvey Berin" linen dress. The embroidery was excellent. (Pictured)

Berin's dresses were a favorite of several First Ladies, including Pat Nixon and Ladybird Johnson. The business was gone by the beginning of the 1970s. I don't know the particular history of why they closed shop. But certainly fewer and fewer women were investing in wearing such original dresses. Mass market production and casual clothing was taking over the market.

My own treasure was finding a pair of low boots from the California shoemaker CYDWOQ. Even from a distance I could tell they were handmade. I have no idea about European shoe sizing. Which is just as well. The boots were barely used and the size mismarked. I suspect that's why they ended up being resold at a deep discount while still in great condition.

The boots have taken longer than usual to break in. But I can already tell they will last a long time. The company website promotes CYDWOQ's use of vegetable tanned leather that will mold to the unique shape of the owner's foot. Production is done in the USA at their Burbank, CA factory. The footwear is intended for long distance walking. They don't fall apart quickly like so many shoes.

After a season my boots show little wear. I expect that if I take them to a cobbler to replace the heel and toe pads, they'll be sturdy for many years to come.

Finding the handmade boots and original dress made me ask some uncomfortable questions--like why don't I pay more money to buy a few quality items instead of sticking to cheap clothes I find off the rack?

While my boots were a steal at the resale shop, would I pay $250 to $325 to buy another pair of sustainably made shoes where USA workers have to be paid at least minimum wage? Perhaps better? Or will I go back to the mall for the same old (relatively) cheap mass-produced footwear?

The whole episode got me to thinking about how our wardrobes, and our local economies, would look a whole lot different if we focused on having fewer items that were better made, preferably by local skilled artisans.

My daughter is a teenager. It makes sense for her to buy inexpensive factory-made styles that she'll discard in a year or two as her tastes change. She is still learning what clothes appeal to her. And her life is in constant transition. Who knows when she'll need her first professional set of clothing for an internship or first real job.

I, on the other hand, have reached the Age of Knowing that my full figure and short height will only look flattering in a small range of clothes. That there are many fads for me to avoid because they didn't compliment my figure the last time they were in style.

It would make sense for me to invest in a few quality pieces of clothing.