Hello Arni,
This is so nice to read with valuable information.
Your childhood sounds very similar to mine. My mum and aunts were also seamstresses, so I spent many days shopping for fabrics, zippers, buttons, and anything related to sewing. I LOVE the vintage Singer sewing machines.
I really like the chart with the breakdown of tones.
I'm gonna take a closer read.
It's good that you developed your own minimalistic style:)
Hi Camille, yes the vintage Singer sewing machines same 🙌 I smile when I see them. There are perks to growing up with seamstresses like the early knowledge of anything about sewing, shopping for zippers, buttons, etc. Were they an early influence on your love of fashion too?
Yes, I think I got my love for fashion from my mum, aunts, and grandmother. They were all seamstresses with big factory-quality machines in Kingston, Jamaica.
I always had a conflict with my mother though. She made my clothes with space for another person. I hated that. She complained that I was picky because my sisters never complained.
I used to get angry and ask her why she bothers to take my measurement. I tried to explain to her that when clothes are not the right fit, it loses all their style. She could never get that. My school uniform was so much bigger than me. I was constantly teased that even after graduation I would never fit into them 🤣. One year I had my aunt sew my uniforms, and I finally looked like I was wearing my own clothes.
That must have been uncomfortable to wear a baggy uniform. Like you, I am particular with the fitting and that's the advantage of having clothes made because it's supposed to seamlessly follow one's body shape and create flattering silhouettes. It's good that your aunt rectified it.
Since moving back to the Philippines, I have only purchased a few plain white or black t-shirts but even then, I'd put them back on the rack inside a fitting room if the fitting is questionable.