The other day as I was getting ready, I put on one of my grandpa’s old sweatshirts— a very simple navy crew neck. Although I was not initially thinking about the significance of the sweatshirt, throughout the day I started to reminisce on all my favorite memories with him, and how fashion can give us nostalgia in our own lives. 

Nostalgia is a sentimental longing for the past, typically associated with a period of happiness. According to Psychology Today, we feel nostalgia to help us cope with disconnection or loneliness from people or experiences—which is why the fashion cycle is so influenced by it. As time goes on and trends change, past cultures and eras remind us of times we consider “perfect,” or represent the best stages of our personal life or the life of someone we love. 

Clothing can allow us to reflect on our transformations throughout our lives. Through the transitions of childhood, all the way up to high school and college, letting go of certain garments can feel like letting go of a part of ourselves. There are specific pieces of clothing I still have in my closet from past years—my old prom dress hanging in my childhood bedroom to my grandpa’s old sweatshirts I wear every now and then. Everything I own has some sort of history or memory behind it.

Worn clothing especially holds deep and important memories for people, as they become more and more intimate pieces over the years. Through the transitions of childhood, all the way up to high school and college, letting go of certain garments can feel like we are changing or discarding a part of our personal history. Whether it be an old t-shirt we have had since we were kids, or a jacket passed down by a deceased loved one, clothing holds meaning to everyone. Letting go of certain pieces we hold near and dear to our hearts is challenging, but it can also help us grow. 

While we can recognize nostalgia in clothing ourselves, brands and designers are also playing into this by reintroducing aspects of their vintage or “timeless” lines. For example, the American denim brand Levi’s has capitalized on resurfacing styles of their classic 501 jeans that have recently come back into style these last few years. Fashion trends are always cycling through, with vintage clothing currently coming back into our generation’s style. It seems as our technology advances and our world seems to go at lightning speed these days, reminding ourselves of simpler times can bring more comfort than we may realize.

While wearing older clothing can help us feel a little warmer inside, it is important to remember that reflecting on the past can sometimes lead us to become less confident and excited about the future. In an article published by ELLE Lara Johnson-Wheeler writes, “To approach nostalgia positively is to access it correctly. It might be wise to treat memory lane like our allotted exercise time outdoors – actively engaging in it, but in moderation.” Connecting with old clothes, and doing so wisely, can help claim a sense of familiarity—acting as a bridge to happy memories and significant moments.

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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.