Our wardrobes are filled with memories and meaning. There are clothes that you bought with your first pay check, those that were handed down from family or the ones that you bought on a special trip. We asked six people to tell us about their oldest item in their wardrobes and what meaning they hold—here’s what they had to say:
Nondi Beattie | Fashion model
Nondi Beattie’s oldest item is a mahogany brown leather, sherpa-lined aviator jacket that her late mother bought in the 80s
Over 20 years ago, shortly before Nondi’s 8th birthday, her mother passed away. “I found this jacket amongst her things during my second year at university. Little did I know that I did not only need a quality winter jacket to keep warm during coastal winters as a student, but that having this jacket would be my most prized possession well into my adult years,” she says. “I love the shade of brown in the leather and the way it has aged gracefully. It has flair and character with its sherpa lining and interesting seams along the bodice.”
Nondi says the fashion piece represents two very significant things that she holds close to her heart. “It’s a piece of my fashionable and uber-chic mother who inspired my own love and appreciation of creativity and self-expression through fashion, as well as embracing slow and circular fashion in my personal capacity as a consumer and a creative,” she says.
“My understanding and advocacy for sustainability in fashion began as a fashion design student shortly before discovering this rare gem. While I still deeply enjoy and value the art of thrifting vintage pieces wherever I am in the world, there’s an incomparable comfort in knowing that a jacket I so deeply treasure today is a piece that embodies the woman that my mother was; a woman with flair, elegance and impeccable taste.”
Stella Hertantyo | Slow fashion enthusiast
Stella Hertantyo loves the detail and quality of her great-grandmother’s green trench coat
“This green coat belonged to my great-grandmother, so my mom’s grandmother. I love the attention to detail and the craftsmanship of garments from that time – they were really made to last. What enchants most about this coat is the colour. It is the perfect moss green. The buttons are also super cute and remind me of an art deco building – the same moss green colour with silver detailing,” says Stella. “I wish I knew how my great-grandmother used to style this coat, but I like to layer it on top of many warm winter layers on gloomy days, because it dresses up simple outfits and makes me feel like I’ve actually put effort into my outfit! It’s in mint condition and I hope to pass it down one day too.”
To Stella, this garment represents a time gone by – both in her personal life and the way clothes were made. “My great-grandmother never knew me, but I feel like I carry around a part of her when I wear this coat. That’s what makes heirloom pieces so special and irreplaceable – they are like a time capsule that holds memories from a time you’ll never know,” she says. “When I look at the quality and attention to detail of the way this coat was made, it reminds me of the value placed on looking after your clothes and making them last. It reminds me that this was once possible and gives me hope that we will one day return to this ethic.”
Tandekile Mkize | Fashion editor
Tandekile’s father gifted this jersey to him when he was 15 years old. With little knowledge of how to care for it, his father put the jersey in a washing machine, and it came out shrunken. “I am lucky that it fits me. I love the bright pop of colour. It brightens up my winter wardrobe. It’s small on me now but I like its crop proportion.”
“Even though my dad doesn’t pay too much attention to fashion I think he has good taste and takes pride in his appearance. In a lot of ways, he influenced my style,” says Tandekile. “Of course I have my own flare and definitely dress better than he does, but he is the blueprint.” This cashmere jersey represents an inheritance of taste and appreciation of quality that Tandekile carries with him.
Fikile Sokhulu | Fashion designer
This denim jacket is Fikile Sokhulu’s oldest item
“Pale denim blue with shades of dark blue in colour. It has a cropped shape, ending precisely below the waist,” says Fikile.
“The item has been with me for more than a decade and I love it because it’s timeless, seasonless and I can use it to layer my outfits in winter or to style a dress in summer. The jacket represents comfort, and the ability to fall into a daily activity routine.”
Pippa Leenstra | Personal stylist
Pippa Leenstra loves this pair of Current Elliott jeans
“I love jeans, these were an investment at the time and I’m a firm believer in investing in your denim,” says Pippa. “From my personal experience with denim, usually the ‘big name’ brands are of superior quality and cut, and they do outlast any of the high street options.”
Pippa says these denims represent her whole ‘price-per-wear approach to purchasing clothing. She says that the more you love and wear an item, the less it costs you. “Rather have one pair of denims that you absolutely love, than spend the same amount on four cheaper pairs that you think are ‘okay’,” she says. “You’ll always reach for and feel good in the pair that you love, and you’ll get your money’s worth from them.”
“You can often find amazing jeans from secondhand stores at reasonable prices,” she says. “You don’t need to spend a fortune on them, you just need to seek them out.” Pippa’s Current Elliott jeans are no longer on the market.
Carlyn Frittelli Davies | Lawyer with a love for clothes
Carlyn Frittelli Davies’ mother wore this dress 44 years ago
“This dress once belonged to my mother,” says Carlyn. “It is a knitted and crocheted peach-coloured spaghetti strap dress with gold wool lining and a tie at the waist with a cute matching cardigan. My grandparents bought it for my mother’s 18th birthday from a boutique in Sandton City, so it was locally made.”
Almost 44 years later, it’s still in good shape with just a few holes that tell the journey of the dress. “To me the dress represents the beautiful craftsmanship and quality we have in South Africa and highlights the value of preserving special pieces,” she says. “I find it difficult to let beautiful clothing go, however there are some items that we should keep, almost like heirlooms.”
Seamstresses, tailors and garment technicians can mend and change special items so that they may serve as heirlooms for years to come. “A well-worn one, though,” Carlyn says. “I make a point of wearing the dress as often as I can!”
- Images supplied
