Original Date: 2024-5-19
Reading Doctorow and this quote struck me
Ria met him in a different pair of jeans, these ones worn and patched at the knees.
https://reactormag.com/chicken-little/
What is the purpose of a patch on jeans? Or any pants?
Or any garment?
It is both a useful fix and a signifier.
The fix portion is clear. It covers the hole and stops further growth.
What does it signify?
Frugality. A belief in repair. A certain eco-consciousness. An aestetic.
But it also has one more physical and signifier function. That is in the projection of the self.
The material one chooses, if you place the patch on the inside or on the outside.
How showy are you? What material makes your heart sing?
For me, I think of my favorite patchwork jeans. Inside patches, for some more subtilety. But the material is a soft, reasonably thick one with a little pile. It also features in my favorite handkerchief. Of course it is adorned with many small flowers.
But what does it mean to buy new clothing with patches or with holes? Is it in some way lesser?
After all, the exterior signals would all be the same. One’s selection of the garment would reflect all of the same factors, since you would likely choose something that matches your style.
Does it have the same statement of values?
I don’t think so. Thats ok, though. I think as a garment, store bought ones are still a reflection of the self and I wouldn’t want to privilege my style, and the values that I want my clothes to represent, over another persons. I also have the luxury of having the ability and a little time to spend on repair.
For me, part of the value and importance comes from the time spend breaking the clothing. It reflects clothing used to its utmost. New value is added by the repair, reflecting time spent in the furtherance of reducing waste and in making clothing. Finally, value is added in making a one-of-a-kind reflection of the self.
Not too shabby.