There’s a photo of my mom in the ‘90s wearing a checkered navy blue and aqua minidress. With wind blowing through her permed hair, she’s laughing, looking young and carefree. That dress, a vintage GAP relic designed in a 1960s silhouette, now hangs in my closet, waiting to be worn every summer.
I wear it to brunches with friends, days spent with my grandma in the vineyards of Napa, and during my travels abroad. When I wear the dress, I wonder how my mom felt when she wore it. The fabric is soft, well-loved, and slightly faded, but it still carries my mom’s energy and creates a bridge between us.
Clothing is regarded as frivolous, but for women it is more than just fabric or trends; it is a way of remembering and belonging. Hand-me-downs in particular tell stories in ways that brand-new clothes can’t.
Psychologists and fashion historians acknowledge the emotional significance of inherited clothing. According to Dr. Karen Pine, a specialist in clothing identity, “clothes are not just for keeping warm or covering our bodies. They influence how we feel, think, and behave.” We wrap ourselves in memories when we wear something that once belonged to someone else, such as our moms, sisters, grandmothers, or closest friends.
Growing up, I borrowed from my mom’s closet before I had my sense of personal style. Over time, I realised wearing her clothes made me feel close to her, as if I could understand her better and carry a piece of her with me.
This connection isn’t restricted to family heirlooms. With my friends from home, clothing swaps were a common occurrence. I brought my friend’s discarded Brandy Melville tank top to Scotland, and she held onto my favorite Patagonia fleece for a while. When I wear that top, I don’t just think of the garment itself; I think of her, the moments we spent together, and the places we’ve been.
One of my friends, a fashion student, loves to inspect my closet whenever she visits. She’ll run her fingers over my vintage clothes, analysing the era and style and imagining the garments’ lives before they reach me.
Whether it’s an inherited dress, a swapped sweater, or a thrifted jacket, clothing holds memories. These pieces become woven into our identities, shaping how we carry ourselves and connect with those who wore them before us. When we swap and share pieces, we exchange experiences, nostalgia, and a sense of connection long after the clothes have changed hands.