Haunted Clothing...

This project started as part of my Senior Seminar project at UW Bothell, and I think (hope) it will grow into an exploration of the memories embedded in our clothing; the memories that we cart around with us everyday. I encourage and invite you to send me your pictures and stories...

-Kate

Pearl Bracelet

This bracelet belonged to my mother's grandmother, and like the pearl clutch, it really does hold memories of her. The luminescence of these pearls glows as if she's inside them looking out. I really like how the one picture makes the pearls look as though they're lying on a mirror, when it's actually a two strand bracelet.

Gold Earrings

These earrings also emigrated to the US from Sicily and they carry a lot of that "old world" charm with them. I don't have a whole lot of personal connection to these, but my mom does, and I know she feels that closeness with these as well as the other pieces of her grandmother.

Beaded Clutch

This pearl clutch was always one of my favorite items...but I've never been allowed to use it! Again, it's my great-grandmother's, and it's precious to her. The craftsmanship on this item is amazing, and it's really priceless.

Holey Jeans

These are my all-time favorite jeans...I've had them for years and years, and they were my benchmark for post-baby jeans. They fit me 3 months after giving birth, and I was pretty excited about that. However, because I wore them ALL the time, I busted a rather large hole in an inappropriate place, and despite my efforts to repair them, the hole kept getting larger. I've retired them, but I can't seem to manage to actually part with them. I know I'll never wear them again, but I can't get rid of them! Maybe I'll do something with them someday, but for now, they're in a box under my bed.

White Button Down

This shirt is one of my favorites. My husband wore this to our rehersal dinner, and I've always loved both the cool crispness of it and the way the embroidery feels embossed and stiffer than the rest of the fabric. This shirt reminds me of that day everytime he wears it, and I love that this everyday article of clothing can remind me of such a memorable time.

Many Pocketed Cargo Shorts

These shorts don't hold much for me, but they are my husbands all time favorite shorts...I remember buying these when I worked at the Gap for like, 4.99, and he was so excited. They are full of holes, and getting close to unwearable, but he refuses to part with them. I still wonder what makes us hang on to stuff that is totally unusable, unwearable. Is it really just memories? Is that enough to make humans keep closets full of clothing we'll never wear again?