“Thanks, it’s my mom’s”
The influence and impact of my mother's closet
“Thanks, it’s my mom’s” is a phrase that my friends have heard far too many times when complimenting something I’m wearing.
Some of my most worn and absolute favorite pieces are from my mom’s closet, either willingly given to me or slowly stolen over time.
When I was home over winter break I raided my mom’s closet for the millionth time, somehow there’s always more to find. While we argued over her letting me take her favorite belt (she did not let me!) she made an observation that really struck me. She said how it’s crazy that my go-to outfits are exactly what she wore when she was in her early 20s visiting/living in LA — jeans, cowboy boots, a white t-shirt, cool belt.
Of course, she is absolutely right. This statement got me thinking about a few things — how my style subconsciously pulls so much from what I saw my mom wearing my whole childhood, how trends are so cyclical (which I can spend hours talking about but I’ll spare you), and how clothes hold stories and memories and life. But mainly, how much of my mom has seeped into me. Not only do we look alike, but we think alike, and I guess now we dress alike. I love that she’s kept so many of her clothes from the 80s and 90s because it’s like I get a small piece of her life at that time. Which I think so cool and special.
My mom loves leopard. When I was little and we went shopping she always pulled out leopard pieces and I (being unaware and having not yet found my sense of style) would turn up my nose and tell her no. In the last few years, I’ve learned to love this cool print, and now it’s a huge trend. She would tell me how she loved mixing textures (denim and lace, chunky sweater and silk skirt), and wouldn’t you know, that’s one of my favorite things to do. She also loves glitter and sparkles (which I’ve yet to fully get on board with). However, my point here is that my mom’s style is not only always ahead of the trends and uniquely her own, but it subconsciously influences me every time I get dressed. My mom taught me that clothes are a reflection of yourself, and how you want to be seen by the world. She taught me that clothes have a story and that you can make a fabulous outfit from practically anything.
Another incredible skill of hers when it comes to fashion and shopping, is finding absolute GEMS in a Goodwill or thrift store. It truly is incredible the amount of pieces she’s found that are so unique and special. It’s taught me to look in unexpected places for unexpected pieces and not always turn to a designer store as a first option. I think this is partly the reason why I can’t stand having the same item as other people. In middle and high school I always hated shopping at the “popular” boutiques because I knew I would see 3 other girls at a party in the exact same skirt. I thank my lucky starts everyday that I grew up with a built in style inspiration who valued uniqueness and being different.
*I took a break from writing this and was looking through photos and thought I would share all my favorite pieces of my mom’s that I’ve worn and loved, and the story behind it. She didn’t know I was writing this but I sent her the pictures asking where each piece was from.*
This fabulous skirt I’ve worn so so so many times, in the Bahamas for my birthday, all across the south of France, etc.
This beautiful cotton cami top is part of a sleep set from the 90’s that has a pair of matching bloomer underwear. I wear this top 24/7, out with jeans, under overalls, basically anywhere and with everything. My mom has had this set for years and I plan to keep it for years more.
“Love cotton like that. So pure and feminine” — Sherrie
This brown Susana Monaco top that is THE most perfect cut ever and I’ve never found something of this quality in stores today. Also from the 90s.
This black sparkly stretch gown I wore to my senior year winter formal. It was so stunning and made me feel so beautiful. My mom actually found this at Goodwill believe it or not. Crazy I know.
“I wore to the 1st drama fundraiser on KB when you were in 3rd grade. No one talked to me lol”— Sherrie
These Donald Pliner snakeskin cowboy boots are my favorite shoes I own. My mom got them for I think around $20 at Nordstrom Rack? I remember her wearing them with jeans ALL the time when I was younger. I wore them a few times and fell in love, and someeeehow they ended up in my suitcase when I moved to LA.
This 3-piece crochet set. I wore the top and shorts in Saint-Remy and the top and tie skirt as my beach club cover-up in St. Tropez. I wear the top with the buttons in the front or the back and love it with jeans or shorts around LA. I also wore the skirt in Palm Springs over my bikini.
“Consignment corner love the crochet feel. I must have been a boho flower child I thought the 3 pieces were so cool and vintage” — Sherrie
These pants are just the coolest things. The leather, the lace-up detail, the denim wash. They’re amazing.
“Obsessed with you in them. Goodwill.” — Sherrie
I wore this dress to my second invite at USC. It may have been have been a little much, but I loved it!!!
“I got this at the 1st Black Friday 6am sale at Lord and Taylor dept store that was where the Saks is at Dadeland. It was a Pamela Dennis gown like $900 down to $20. They were closing down and I think it was marked wrong. It was a size 12. But the cut, velvet and chiffon fabric, and the leather trim was divine. I wore it when I was preggers, then I had it fixed and wore it again.” — Sherrie
I discovered this dress in my mom’s closet when packing for France and fell in LOOOOVE with it. The cut is perfect and the fabric is so delicate but fun. The story behind it is one of my faves. My mom got it off of the set of Miami Vice when she worked on the show. It is true vintage from the 80s.
That’s it for now. I made an album of all the pictures I wanted to include, and there were 49. I know I couldn’t put every photo in here, I also couldn’t choose my favorites, so these were just a select few.
I love that I get to re-wear my mom’s clothes clothes, giving them another life (which is so sustainable and so great for the environment!!!!). I also think it is so special that I get to weave my own memories and stories into the fabrics.
A lot of the pieces my mom doesn’t wear anymore, and just kept for sentimental value, but I am also so incredibly grateful that she lets me take pieces from her closet that I know she would probably still wear. It’s a testament to her selflessness.
Final thoughts: Raid your mom’s closet! Don’t give things away, save them for your future daughter! Shop at Goodwill!