The other reason to remember that nothing is finished is that it helps curb the impulse to purchase lots of things so that you can "finish your wardrobe". Sometimes I can fall into the trap of wanting to buy lots of things at once so that I can "just be done" and stop thinking about it.
@sierra8077 I appreciate your insight here! Your comment reminds me of something I heard once about curating home decor-I think from Myquillyn Smith, aka “The Nester.” The idea was basically that it can be helpful to gather pieces over time rather than buying all at once because the risk of suddenly getting tired of all your things and wanting to replace them increases when you purchase all your things in a short period of time: all of it feels “old” all at once if it was all purchased together. Not directly related to your comment, but what you said brought it to mind for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
What a truly liberating way to consider my possessions, my home, my yard, my body! I have surgical scars, wrinkles, more fat than I like, gray hair...the lawn has weeds...the backyard bushes are in the wrong places...and don't get me started on the ivy...It's all work in progress. Poetry is never finished, merely abandoned, it is said. And, yes, VOTE!!!!!
The delivery of the "No there is nothing wrong with us, there is nothing wrong with you and here's why...wabi-sabi..." was chef's kiss! You should make it into a short! So funny & spot on!
You're on my “if you could go out to dinner with anyone, who would it be?” shortlist. Your amalgamation of fashion, philosophy, and art is hypnotic yet stimulating in the best possible way. ❤
As a Japanese, Wabi-sabi is to me "don't overdo it." I wondered what is the official definition, so visited Wikipedia which says: 慎ましく、質素なものの中に、奥深さや豊かさなど「趣」を感じる心、日本の美意識 (it is to appreciate beauty, by recognizing interests such as depth and richness, in subdued/simple/austere/modest things) and I totally agree with this and you ^^ (BTW, 金閣寺 Kinkaku-ji temple is literally golden and very popular for many tourists, but if you like wabi-sabi, then it is to be found in 銀閣寺Ginkaku-ji ("silver" temple)、竜安寺 (Ryōan-ji, especially the dry garden), and so on.
What a fun video!! As a biologist, physiologist and a medical professional I can attest that nothing is ever finished. it just transforms! Think of your breath and CO2 that you just exhale. It slowly drifts to a nearby plant, enters the plants to make sugar, that is food for others and the plant itself. Now it’s energy that sustains a butterfly etc etc etc!! You are genius to apply the principle to a wardrobe and I think one of the key factor here that you acknowledged, is that the item needs to be made well , hopefully with materials produced by nature! I have a table that’s very old , made of solid wood. All school project with glue and crayons, all family dinner are happening on this table. And every time someone tells me it is time to replace this old table, I gasp!!!😮😮😮❤❤❤❤ Great work!! You are philosopher❤️
Your description of the aesthetic of wabi-sabi reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit... through our imperfections we become Real. They are a sign of a life well-lived, and of being well-loved. How lovely to remember.
I love that book! 😍 I only discovered it when my nephew was a baby; I bought it for him (wink-wink!). I read it first, and it made me cry. I was about 32 at the time, in 1991. “…when your ears/hair have been loved off; when your joints are loose…” or something like that.
Thank you so much for addressing the issue of impermanence in regards to our wardrobes. When people talk about investment pieces or forever items, I want to fling my hands on the air. It took me almost 50 years to grasp that clothing is a consumable. Even the best quality items wear out. They rip in unmendable ways, and stain in unspeakable places. Quality items stand up to wear better, but even they don't last forever. And we, as people, change. What truly was an ideal piece for who we were when we bought it might not suit who we become 10 years later. I have had the odd experience of waking up one morning and finding my clothes all felt like costumes. It was the unexpected result of a huge amount of internal work, and not entirely welcome. But no amount of denial on my part made the clothes feel any better to me, so I had to let it happen. If I can't justify the price with the amount of wear I am truly likely to get out of an item in 5 years max, assuming destruction within that period, then I don't get it. This isn't easy! I LOVE beautiful things. I get deeply attached to my clothes. But this helps me to wear them and enjoy them to their fullest, rather than leave them in my closet to protect them or until they no longer fit or suit me.
This is SUCH a useful and timely reminder to reset the perfectionism mindset that is so driven by society and media! Regarding your shoe reference (but this applies to furniture and other objects), I think sometimes giving our things TLC - cleaning, polishing, ironing, even refinishing - can help bring our used and loved items back from the “unpleasantly used” space into the wabi-sabi space. Giving loving maintenance to the things we have can be an antidote to the emotional drive to purchase “new”.
Yes yes yes I was just coming back to comment similarly! I just spent 10 minutes polishing a 12 year old pair of leather boots and giving them that care and attention made me feel so grateful for how well they have lasted, and I am amazed at how much better they look despite the patina (pronounce it how you will 🎉) ❤❤❤
Could we get another “What’s cheering me up right now” video? I love all your content, but I’m craving another collection of thoughtfully curated random things you are loving at the moment.
Wabi sabi! You are bringing it, Hannah. Next up, feng shui. Curation. Life as art. Keep having fun. Energy is flowing or stagnant, or somewhere in between. Friday morning musings. Enjoying the content. Topics on point.
What comes to my mind from this video is art galleries, exhibits, museums, etc. where they curate the space. They are always changing and updating as they go - that's literally the whole point of s curator as a job. But they do it over time and are really intentional about their selections so that it matches the theme, the event, etc. And what's lovely is that they never get rid of those pieces. They may not be visible to the public for a time, but they will make an appearance again. It's obviously not a complete one-to-one but for me the sentiment is there. I like the idea that I am curating my closet and accessories over time and that most of it will change over the course of my life time. It keeps it feeling fresh while also being mindful of sustainability. Great video, Hannah! As always ❤
Yes. I have a couple of sweaters that I rarely wear because it just doesn't get cold enough where I live. But I am not going to declutter them. They are well-made and beautiful. So I keep them stored away, and they make an appearance every 1-2 years. I also store away clothes that I'm bored with (providing they are in good condition). I'll take them out a couple of years later and they feel new again. The better the quality of the piece, the more likely I'll want to wear it again after a "break".
Ya know, I didn’t realize that this was going to be the video I needed today while I clean and work on home projects that feel never ending. Because they are. And that doesn’t minimize my accomplishment. ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for your thoughtful response to my question. The wabi sabi concept is new to me but after watching your video really helps put it all into perspective. I love this aesthetic in art and architecture but never thought to apply it to my wardrobe. Now this gives me so much more to think about. I do strive to replace items in favor of higher quality fabric or construction but now I will ruminate on how wabi sabi is at play in my wardrobe. Yes VOTE!!😀
I third this! I am not big into make up (I am very minimal when it comes to that and I'm not interested in trying more) but I am BIG into fashion and this content is the one I love most.
Same, I’m useless at makeup and keep it super simple, fashion otherwise and closet curation is my jam and I love all of the fashion and curation content
Also also, sometimes the chase, the curation itself, is the fun part. I think that's one of the impulses that can get some of us in trouble with shopping (or TH-cam!) addictions.
Thank you for consistently reminding people to vote ❤ It's our most basic and important duty as citizens. Edit: for anyone who is feeling apathetic, remember....your vote is not a valentine. It's a chess move for the world you want to live in.
im 21 years old and started watching you when i was 18. what an absolute breath of fresh air and wisdom you and your channel are. i take your insights to heart and cherish them as i navigate what beauty - and the identity i find within beauty and fashion - mean to me. thank you !
I love how you take some themes that are not commonly talked about. When I watch your videos I feel like I am reading a semi classic novel with advanced vocabulary, which kind of helps me with furthering my english knowledge. English is not my native language. I feel like if i keep watching your videos, one day I will speak and write english perfectly 😁
Same! This is the only beauty/fashion channel I'm subscribed to and Hannah's way of putting thoughts into words is one of the main reasons (her thoughts themselves being another one, of course). When I first stumbled upon her videos I thought to myself 'this girl should become a writer' only to find out later that she already is one 😅
Lately, I have been tempted to buy a pair of black sandals with all the end of season sales but I have a pair of sky blue sandals that I wear all the time and are still in good shape. I don't need black sandals, my fantasy self wants them. My fantasy self is a chic minimalist fashionista, while my real self likes statement shoes, all the statement shoes.
I love when you add in the philosophical side of wardrobe and beauty and budgeting. So helpful to hear your (extremely well informed and thoughtfully delivered) take!
I was literally just scrolling back through years of your videos to find one I hadn’t watched before because I *needed* some HLP content. When I tell you I gasped when I saw this notification 😍
Omg same!!! I’ve been binging Hannah’s “Beauty Budget” year (4 yrs ago now) in the background as I work for her calming voice and explicitly detailed musings you just can’t find anywhere else on the internet ❤
Seeing the beauty in wear, signs of life, “use” also helps us to appreciate our own aging. I’m 28, but I have seen some grays start and fine lines develop. My impression is that everyone my age online (esp in the fashion/beauty bubble) is getting lifts, botox, filler… and whenever I feel pressed about what older me will look like, I have to remind myself that 9 out 10 of the people with stuff done actually look less beautiful in my mind than the women I see with wrinkles and age signs who have maintained other aspects of youthful beauty about themselves.
As a 63 yo, I can tell you that you grow into your self as you age. Not just physically but also mentally & emotionally. It’s a wonderful journey! Even the tough bits enrich you. Reality is always more beautiful in all its complexity than Botox, fillers & plastic.
I am 42 and I approve this message. I haven't done anything to my face, and I stopped dying my gray hair a long time ago, but I know myself and honor myself so much better than when I was young. I find so much joy and happiness in my life now because I don't feel ashamed to be myself anymore. When I'm full of happiness, it's so easy to give it to others. I make lots of people happy now, many more than I ever did in the past, and if that doesn't make me beautiful, then I don't know what could.
I hope the toe is better now! I am a scientist, and I work in publishing research. Throughout my career, I have struggled with finishing my papers (that anxiety is born from the feeling that there is still space for improvement). I swear, if there weren’t some due dates for me to send the final version of a paper, I would have sent out a third of what I have produced so far. I will print and paste on the wall behind my computer “wabi-sabi. Nothing is perfect, nothing is permanent, nothing is complete.” I can foresee that they will really help me from now on. Once again, thank you so much for explaining the world to us ❤
Hello fellow scientist! A museum curator masters candidate shared their department 's favourite wisdom at a Uni Christmas party: "Better is the enemy of done!". It saved us all kinds of grief from bench to bibliography in our genetics program. It behooves Manuscripts to be completed; while in contrast, evolution in art and life will never cease. Only viruses reach ideal state. Also, I find Excellence and Perfection mutually exclusive entities. Best of luck with your work!
@@MeridaEllaSinnottDBurtramThank you so much for your kind words! I feel pressure in the academic world is a significant factor, especially self-pressure. Yesterday, I was talking to my former PhD classmate, and we were discussing how we became addicted to cortisol in the PhD program, and now, 2-3 years after, we still can’t get out of stressing ourselves out for any reason we can find
When I wrote my undergrad thesis, the only way I was able to finish it on time was by telling myself, "after I turn it in, I can always revisit it and add more later." It has been over a decade and I have not done that. But occasionally I reread it and am pretty darn proud of myself for what I wrote!
Omg I love this comment my obsession with perfectionism when it comes to work is the absolute bain and crux of my procrastination. And the results are crippling. ❤
This video took a real turn into "The Girl in the Green Scarf." territory of using fashion as a lens through which to view ones values and life principles and I was Delighted with it. 🥰🥰🥰
This is the kind of intelligent and kind content I want there to more in the world, the thought you put into questions that to others might seem frivolous is so wonderful. I’d really love to hear more about your poetry! I have your book and have been enjoying it but would love to have a handhold to greater get the most out of it
Hi Hannah, great video as always. I wander if you could do a part 2 of your “How to be elegant” video. Would be awesome to hear more of your thoughts on elegance. Thank you for always sharing your brilliant ideas.xx
I like this. I think another question you can ask yourself is "why do I want to upgrade?" Is it because what you currently have is inexpensive, worn out, not designer? I think within the minimal community there can be an unconscious or conscious belief that more expensive automatically means better quality, more longevity, etc. which isn't necessarily true. Cotton is cotton. One may be better constructed, but that doesn't mean better fit. I really think it's on a piece by piece basis. Thank you Hannah!
I love your videos and content so much. I feel like for years I struggled with acquiring too many things,having too many choices, chasing the dopamine with retail therapy. I’ve been curating and downsizing my wardrobe over the past year to having “fewer, nicer things”. It’s made such a difference in my life. Thank you so much for your wisdom, guidance, and influence to help declutter and beautify my life. The idea of wabi sabi is exactly what my mind needed to munch on.
LOVE this. I think it's part of why I'm drawn to secondhand/vintage shopping ... I don't want a brand new handbag or jacket. I want one that's already acquired some patina. The bonus is I know exactly how it will wear and hold up, because it's already broken in. If favorite items are looking rough, it's time for a trip to the cobbler or cleaner for a "spa day" refresh. Also, I find cleaning and polishing my own boots and shoes very relaxing.
My aesthetic doesn't really fit "polished, clean, new". My go-to is an oversized linen button down and a pair of shorts, no shoes or Blundstones, and dirt under my nails because I spend a lot of time gardening. Nothing I keep stays clean, almost every item I own has a stain of some sort. So seeking something that is already gently loved just makes so much more sense for me and my lifestyle and hobbies. This is how I feel as I browse the housing market as well. I don't want a fresh renovation... for a number of reasons. I want something that hasn't been super updated in 30+ years. I want a home with personality, that has evidence of the families that lived there before, with notches in the doorways etching a visual representation of the passage of time. Same with the furniture I collect :)
This video evoked some Feelings in me that lead me to believe there's going to be a lot more thrifting in my future. I simply do not like a lot of shiny new stuff!
Great content! I was thinking about aging as well. The need for us to replace parts of us that reveals that we have lived. Instead of looking at it as a beautiful process, we look at it as an imperfections that we need to replaced, fixed, or covered up. Just like your Birkenstocks we should see ourselves as durable and not worst for wear. I love that concept of Wabi Sabi. . Thank you so much for this beautiful video.
this discussion unlocked some reflections on being a child: - the imperfect beauty of the items showing wear... do you remember those items that you kept on wearing until they fell apart or you grew out of them? my favorite items were the ones most loved & worn, therefore the softest & least new-looking. - i wonder if this perfectionism is created by our school system. a system which is black & white, "A+, gold star" as you said, you've achieved something, it's complete. we are brought up in this system only to enter life, which is nothing but a gray area! there is not one right answer to life, life is wabi-sabi!
Oh my goodness!! I can’t believe the serendipity. I’m gearing up to start my first no-buy year in September. I’ve shopped my own book collection for a pile of books to help me through the year, and at the top of the pile are Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers by Leonard Koren and Wabi-Sabi Further Thoughts by the same author. This is exactly what I needed today, the day after I deleted my beloved Etsy app. 🎉
Great question, and great noodling! I'm pregnant, and feel my capsule wardrobe is in a good place, but at the same time know my body, the weather, and my preferences will keep changing in the next several months. But this season of life is really teaching me how much I enjoy a smaller wardrobe. I'm excited to viciously declutter a few times next year. For replacements for quality, my personal rule is only when the current piece is so worn out it doesn't serve the same function(s). Functionally, this means almost never, but I think once I'm working with a smaller wardrobe that could speed up quite a bit.
If this is your first baby I wouldn’t be in a rush to declutter. I’m almost two years out from having mine and things are still in flux. I’m still nursing so that plays a role, but in any case I wouldn’t put a timeline on things especially that first year.
Your philosophical takes on fashion and consumerism are the reason why I love your channel ❤ These days I'm in the midst of a total reorganization of my summer wardrobe - because the summer heat here has become a long lasting reality - and I've been spending a lot of time shopping online in the hope of finding at least a few things that will suit my practical and esthetical needs. And while I find it tiring, yet I also find it hard to know when it's enough. So... This helped 😉 (Still... I hate when the things I love wear out!)
Birkenstocks specifically and all shoes wear and last better when worn at most every other day apparently. It allows them to fully dry out. Someone told me they had a pair last a single year (3 seasons) when worn everyday to eventual breaking. They've since had two pairs worn every other day going strong after 4+ years.
Interesting. I am on my 3rd pair of Birkenstocks spanning over 20 years so on average 7 -10 years life as I just purchased my newest pair. I do repair them, replace the tread usually.
I was in a rear end/head on collision in May of this year and my Birkenstocks were what I was wearing at that time - the shoes stayed on my feet and looked pristine even after the impact. Super amazing. They were the only thing that has been comfortable for me since and I’m seriously considering selling all of my other sandals because nothing else compares in quality and comfort!
You are one of the most intelligent & poised people I have come across, I’ve been a viewer for years but I always find something fun or insightful in each of your videos ❤ all my best to you, Hannah
Not commenting on the substance of the video (though it is fantastic), but I LOVE THIS BROWN MASCARA. I have always thought brown mascara was pointless and now I'm ordering one.
I literally bought the black Arizona Birkenstocks because HLP wanted the black Arizona Birkenstocks. I then proceeded to break my baby toe on my right foot, and had to wear a boot on that foot and the only other shoe I could wear on my poor left foot, were my HLP black Arizona Birkenstocks. I feel like we’re living parallel lives!💜🤣
@@HannahLouisePoston I hope you read that in the voice of the one girl on mean girls saying I saw Cady wearing cargo pants and flip-flops, so I wore cargo pants and flip-flops… I eventually switched out of the boot into the Birkenstock itself. Which is wonderful for the Birkenstocks because the Wabi was definitely overruling the Sabi on the left foot💜
Omgggg I bought Birks partly bc of Hannah too and this commentary on the like "getting tired" of the "perfect" thing was soo what I was feeling. Can't wait to adopt the wabi sabi mindset and hopefully NOT break my toe lmao.
Thank you for that, it makes me just a little less ashame being occupied with my wardrobe, getting ready with it to the next season-back to work life. It really do feels like i'm never really "there" especially nowas it feels i'm going through some kind of a natural style shift/changes.
I sorta like to see my clothes as a reflection of myself and my life. There is something so beautiful and unique about looking at an item of clothing you’ve had for a long time and seeing it form its own unique identity. When an item is new, it looks just like all the other ones, but when you’ve had it for a really long time, you can think about all the journeys your life has taken together. Yeah my suede jacket has some burn holes in it, but those are from 2013 New Year’s shenanigans. Yeah one of my boots has a big scratch across the top, but that’s from a 2011 rock concert. Those wool pants are starting to wear at the knee, but we’ve both moved to 6 different states since I got them. I don’t look at the flaws as a sign of needing to be thrown away, but as reminders that my items are aging just like I’m aging, we both have wrinkles and scars AND memories.
I have the same feelings about my black ballerinas. They are atarting to show signs of use .They are the shoe that works with the entirety of my work wardrobe and other colthes, they are so comfy and BASIC and VERSATILE that i want to buy a slightly different version of it that works in my wardrobe just as well... But one could say I already have the perfect pair for me
I happened upon the Birkenstock Arizona sandal in 1988 as a newcomer to the Pacific Northwest (where Birkenstocks are worn year-round and with socks). As a newly-enrolled graduate student at University of Washington (U-Dub for you natives), I had literally never seen Birkenstocks before - at least not to my knowledge. I was intrigued and tried them on at a little shoe shop in Pike Place Market (Seattle). I’ve had them ever since. They have lasted so long because: a) for some reason I had the prescience to know that I needed to buy the kind with leather wrapped all the way around the cork, and b) I have taken really good care of them and had them re-soled throughout the years. People, these sandals are 36 years old, and they look almost new. And for a couple of decades folks would stop me on the street to ask me where they came from because Birkenstock didn’t make the leather-on-cork style again until the last few years. So they were an oddity. In the same way that their leather Mary Janes were an oddity - only made once and not repeated again (strangers on the street stopped me about the Mary Janes too). I don’t work for Birkenstock and I don’t own any of their stock but I will echo what Hannah is saying in this video - these are exquisitely beautiful and well-make shoes. And my feet always feel good in them. This is a link to the Arizona most similar to the one I bought so many years ago: www.birkenstock.com/us/arizona-natural-leather/arizona-exquisite2-naturalleather-0-eva-u_1.html#sz=72 I’ll also add that I have just two other sandals, one is Naot (over 25 years old) and one is CorkEase (about 10 years old) and both show no signs of slowing down. It’s really worth getting well-made items that you truly love. And taking care of them.
Thank you for always stressing the importance of VOTING!!! I know a lot of young people don’t feel like their vote matters, but this year more than ever, it absolutely DOES! ✌️💙🇺🇸💙✌️
I am in a season in which I am experiencing a great deal of unwelcome change seemingly all at once, and I have been aware on some level that I am responding to these changes by doubling down on trying to nail down the "right" wardrobe, even though I know intellectually that the "perfect" comfy-yet-hip-looking boots will not do anything to stay these changes. Your thoughts here have helped me to step back and relax a bit--stop fighting it. I literally felt my shoulders release as I listened to you. Thank you for this. Also, have you read the book The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts? In it, he uses this wonderful metaphor about how you can't hold a river in a bucket--that if you appreciate the beauty of a river and try to hold some of it for yourself by capturing it in a bucket, you create a situation in which the qualities you appreciated can no longer exist. You have to just let the river be the river. Anyway, so much to think about. I really appreciate this community.
Aside from the fact that this is a very interesting topic overall, I love your perspective on it. And you just made me think of that pair of shoes (sandals) I wore for almost an entire year straight because I terribly hurt my ankle and was unable to force my foot into any other shoe. I am still glad it was never freezing cold that year xD I loved wearing them later too. Never felt/had negative associations with it, they were a savior, truly. I never perceive my wardrobe as "finished" it's a constantly changing concept that evolves along with myself. Some pieces leave, others get implemented. We always let everyone in our family go through pieces we decluttered before we make them leave the house to make sure we're not giving something away that nobody of us would love. Sometimes there are real gems within the stuff others don't wanna wear. I love having this luxury to have a family like that, I perceive this as a huge advantage. My style has changed so drastically ever since I started choosing my own clothes all by myself without getting influenced by my Mom or by friends. I would feel awkward wearing the exact same clothes I wore as a teenager even though they'd still fit me. I still have clothes from back then and still wear them, but of course not all of them. I also have a knit sweater that my Mom wore when she was pregnant with me. And I love wearing it. In terms of make up, I do have a routine down that I truly love and keep getting/making the exact same products all over again instead of trying something new aside from lip products. I love to experiment with new lipstick shades and see what impact they have on my face. But eye shadows, blushes, bronzers, foundation, whatever... not really interested in testing atm. I really had a favorite drugstore foundation and used it until it got discontinued. I was looking for a new one that would perform and look the exact same on my skin... I never found one so I made my own. And I am very happy with how it came out. Anyways: In make up I have tried and tested so many things and keep landing on the exact same end result, because I love it so much. But I would still never think that this is the end and nothing would ever change again for me. Maybe I will be into a different look in a few years, maybe I will not even wanna wear make up in a few years, who knows? I don't. There is no "finish line" in such things, I think. No end goal in sight. And that's truly beautiful imho. That's also why aiming to be a minimalst was never appealing to me. I find videos about that topic very interesting and inspiring, but it's not my goal at all. I feel like in my case it would only disable me from growing and evolving and I don't want anything to do that. That's also why I stopped buying LE products just for the sake of having them or stopped instantly hopping on any trend I may like. Some things are cool and I totally love and will incorporate them into my routines and wardrobe etc. but others are just not for me. Learning to take a step back and ask yourself if this truly fits your individual standards, needs and likings or just tickles you because others do it too, is very helpful when it comes to personal development. And I am glad to be finally able to look at things from a distance first, then step inside myself and listen carefully before I decide what to do. It's also less stressful and more "slow" and "easy going" than what I used to do as a younger adult. (Meaning: younger than I am now, I still feel young and am still excited about the growth that's coming with getting older.) Don't pressure yourself into anything, allow things to flow. Allow things to develop and allow yourself to adjust to the way you change. Change can be beautiful and isn't always a bad thing.
Always such a pleasure to watch your videos. I am currently on a "media detox" but in advance made an exception for your channel. Your content is so encouraging and thoughtful. It's actually empowered and motivated me more in my endeavor.
My suede Arizonas that I bought in 1995/6 ish are still technically alive. I wore them all summer for over ten years, rotating with a newer pair around 2000, and they have a worn out area in the toe, but they are still functional. They have string tied to them that reminds me of the person who put it there. I put them on sometimes just to give myself a little mood boost. The beauty is in the damage, just like marble stairs that have been worn down by use. I love seeing someone's perfectly worn-in shoes on their feet. It just gives me joy to see that comfort on another person for some reason. Not everything has to be crisp.
Love your thoughtful and intuitive approach, which is sustainable, environmentally responsible, and curated. New to your channel and having a blast hearing your take on personal style. I have had an appreciation for the wabi-sabi aesthetic for some time, applying it to my home and garden. Thank you!
How can a wardrobe ever be “done” when clothes wear out, styles change, and bodies morph into different shapes. A “finished” wardrobe would end up being nothing but a time capsule or a museum exhibit.
A thoughtful philosophical approach that works for closets as well as it does for self, home, and life. There is no finished perfection. As an author of 11 novels I advise new writers that there is also no perfect literature or text either ( an author will always find something to change- lol.). As for the English language, it is vast but often it is other languages and cultures that provide the best word for a nuanced truth. Love your take on all things fashion!!! Currently trying to break in a new pair of Birks this summer.
I love this idea. I also find it helpful in terms of not “saving” my favorite things and never wearing them. The Tide Pen rec for whites (or anything else) was huge for me too 😂. I’ve never had success with stain removal despite all the products and hacks- but it turns out Tide is actually extremely effective! I watched Rajiv Surendra’s recent stain-removal video and took away the key strategies of patience (a difficult one) and kind of hammering the fabric with the toothbrush to get the solvent deeper into the fabric fibers. I watched his “blueing whites” video (I think you also mentioned) and even went so far as to buy his favorite product for it, but have yet to actually try it out. I’d honestly love to see a video from you trying it, or just on laundering clothing in general. For example, what do you do when your crisp white lettuce-edged socks have color-transfer from your shoes- do you risk contaminating your “crisp whites” load with them, or risk washing them with dirty white dish towels? (I realize this is overthinking for the average person, but I am clearly not one 😂).
I'd put them in with the dish towels. First though, I'd spread toilet bleach (I've got the black bottle Harpic) over the stained areas of socks, press it into the fabric with my fingers and leave overnight. Then machine wash at 40°C with the usual washing powder. This is the best fuss-free stain removing process I've found. You should wear gloves when touching the bleach, it's not good for skin.
I've been thinking a lot lately about self-acceptance vs. the internalization of social judgment. I like this idea of applying wabi-sabi philosophy to understanding the inherent imperfection and incompleteness of the individual self of each of us. Today's self-directed question is, what are the unique and charming imperfections of my self and my self-presentation, which perhaps i can appreciate instead of cringing away from?
Two things: I got really sick of my Birkenstock Arizonas and didn’t wear them for a couple years, but this year for whatever reason I am into them again! So I also think it’s okay if you have a shoe, especially for life, to let it go through ebbs and flows of wear. You can also get cleaning things specifically for birks I would recommend! Maybe that could also be something a cobbler might do. The second thing is I’m a 3D artist and that perfect cupcake is far from, I would go so far as to say it’s bad, because in 3D we’re usually always aiming for realism so creating imperfections usually helps (like how cubic zirconia is a too-perfect diamond where it becomes a little uncanny valley). Not a criticism cause I totally get the idea behind it, I just thought it was kind of funny coming from this random area of specialized knowledge I have!
I have got to see these Birks 🤣 I feel like you are describing a person who has had a difficult life, who the years have hardened and still through all of that you are seeing their true beauty and inner spirit🤣🤣🤣🤷🏻♀️ maybe I need Birkenstocks?
After my makeup no buy year I shed most of my collection away, I use a small sample of it, and I've never been happier with my makeup collection, and I'm still shedding more. As the eyeshadows I have left start looking used, they look more wabisabi. I can see my love for each one, can see the imprint of my nieces tiny fingers in there. Also after having a child my body changed dramatically and I had to rebuilt my wardrobe, slowly but surely. Who am I now? What do I want to evoke in others as I walk around?
Awesome video,breath of fresh air in this u tube universe.Japanese philosophy,notions of perfection and vanity wardrobe issues,really unlikely stew that led to profound musing. So enjoyable,thank you .
Suffering from a severe shingles attack earlier this year which has left me with permanent nerve damage over half my lower torso, and being in the middle of perimenopause, I have had a love/hate relationship with elasticated waistbands and soft layers for the past 3 years. So I understand how you can get sick of certain garments because due to some health issue or other life event, you HAVE to wear them! I desperately wanted to wear jeans again so I ordered some pairs online... only to return the lot as I realised the best pair were the pair I already own: soft and broken in and super-flattering.
Yes subtext! The subtext is am I good person? Am I sufficient? Have I reached acceptability? And then we jump to reassurance seeking. Even affirmations like imperfection is perfection is an attempt to assert acceptability to yourself. I dunno. I have intrusive thoughts so I have to talk to them and be like "big whoop" so when I hear someone say out loud something like my intrusive thoughts I feel like it might be useful to know what makes my inteusive thoughts go away. Its not reassurance seeking. Its not asking expertd or logic my way throught it and and research, research research. And....the only thing that actually works is"maybe I'm not acceptable. Maybe I am. I'll never know. It's unknowable." "Yep, I could be secretly be a bad person" "yup, I could never feel accomplished or good enough" "yep"
Also, currently making it my mission to not go back and edit out the typos... ("Hi 👋 thoughts. Yep. I see the mistakes. Thanks. Yep. Big whoop" Exposure and response therapy out in the wild. )
This came at the perfect time for me, because I'm at a juncture in my fashion journey where I am starting to zero in on the elements of my wardrobe that speak to/animate me, and rid myself of the elements that have been distractions/deterrents to me truly loving and wearing ALL my clothing. It's a nice level to be at as opposed to being the "i have nothing to wear" girl. But I have found myself at times taking everything a bit TOO seriously, and forgetting that the whole point is having fun, allowing a certain amount of play and organic evolution. So trying to come up with some perfect formula for clothes that gives me the perfect level of versatility defeats the purpose and sucks all the joy out of everything. I need to be happy where I am and just go on the journey instead of attempting to arbitrarily speed towards this nebulous fantasy that doesn't serve me.
I find it better to focus on a few outfits that work well for each particular activity rather than a whole wardrobe. This seems to keep things more realistic, practical and grounded. Perfection is an abstract concept, at most a fleeting feeling of satisfaction, which topples rapidly as life and the world more on.
It's funny, this is about completing a wardrobe but I feel like I'm only starting to build my wardrobe for this point in my life journey. I've worn my closet down to rags, I cannot stand shopping. Edited to add: Also, this is a great video! 😅
Oooh lots of thoughts on this one! For your first point about quality items developing a patina of age, reminds me of getting through the awkward teenager phase. There's like a middle period when something is not quite new but hasn't developed the lived in look and you feel like you wanna replace it! But sometimes it just needing to get through that awkward period! In terms of completing a wardrobe, I think everyone is on a different journey and has different needs. For those of us that love fashion and beauty, this is an area we choose to invest and curate. For others it could be tech, or home decor, or keyboards, or power tools lol. I think it just comes with the territory of having a passion. You're gonna care about things others don't care about and vice versa. And all that is okay! (As long as you stay financially responsible haha)
I bought my birkies the year after you did, but living in a country with 8 months of summer, travelling with them as my only shoe, wearing them to work 6 days a week, some days taking 20k steps in the heat and on rough terrain, the wear and tear has taken a toll on them. I'm taking them to a cobbler at the end of the month to see wgat they can do to them to help them last longer, but i still think of them as one of the top 5 purchases i did in the last 10 years. ❤
The other reason to remember that nothing is finished is that it helps curb the impulse to purchase lots of things so that you can "finish your wardrobe". Sometimes I can fall into the trap of wanting to buy lots of things at once so that I can "just be done" and stop thinking about it.
@sierra8077 I appreciate your insight here! Your comment reminds me of something I heard once about curating home decor-I think from Myquillyn Smith, aka “The Nester.” The idea was basically that it can be helpful to gather pieces over time rather than buying all at once because the risk of suddenly getting tired of all your things and wanting to replace them increases when you purchase all your things in a short period of time: all of it feels “old” all at once if it was all purchased together. Not directly related to your comment, but what you said brought it to mind for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
What a truly liberating way to consider my possessions, my home, my yard, my body! I have surgical scars, wrinkles, more fat than I like, gray hair...the lawn has weeds...the backyard bushes are in the wrong places...and don't get me started on the ivy...It's all work in progress. Poetry is never finished, merely abandoned, it is said. And, yes, VOTE!!!!!
The delivery of the "No there is nothing wrong with us, there is nothing wrong with you and here's why...wabi-sabi..." was chef's kiss! You should make it into a short! So funny & spot on!
You're on my “if you could go out to dinner with anyone, who would it be?” shortlist. Your amalgamation of fashion, philosophy, and art is hypnotic yet stimulating in the best possible way. ❤
Right?! I wish I were cool enough to be her friend.
As a Japanese, Wabi-sabi is to me "don't overdo it." I wondered what is the official definition, so visited Wikipedia which says: 慎ましく、質素なものの中に、奥深さや豊かさなど「趣」を感じる心、日本の美意識 (it is to appreciate beauty, by recognizing interests such as depth and richness, in subdued/simple/austere/modest things) and I totally agree with this and you ^^ (BTW, 金閣寺 Kinkaku-ji temple is literally golden and very popular for many tourists, but if you like wabi-sabi, then it is to be found in 銀閣寺Ginkaku-ji ("silver" temple)、竜安寺 (Ryōan-ji, especially the dry garden), and so on.
beautiful! thank you!
What a fun video!! As a biologist, physiologist and a medical professional I can attest that nothing is ever finished. it just transforms!
Think of your breath and CO2 that you just exhale. It slowly drifts to a nearby plant, enters the plants to make sugar, that is food for others and the plant itself. Now it’s energy that sustains a butterfly etc etc etc!!
You are genius to apply the principle to a wardrobe and I think one of the key factor here that you acknowledged, is that the item needs to be made well , hopefully with materials produced by nature! I have a table that’s very old , made of solid wood. All school project with glue and crayons, all family dinner are happening on this table. And every time someone tells me it is time to replace this old table, I gasp!!!😮😮😮❤❤❤❤
Great work!! You are philosopher❤️
Your description of the aesthetic of wabi-sabi reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit... through our imperfections we become Real. They are a sign of a life well-lived, and of being well-loved. How lovely to remember.
I love that book! 😍 I only discovered it when my nephew was a baby; I bought it for him (wink-wink!). I read it first, and it made me cry. I was about 32 at the time, in 1991. “…when your ears/hair have been loved off; when your joints are loose…” or something like that.
Thank you so much for addressing the issue of impermanence in regards to our wardrobes. When people talk about investment pieces or forever items, I want to fling my hands on the air. It took me almost 50 years to grasp that clothing is a consumable. Even the best quality items wear out. They rip in unmendable ways, and stain in unspeakable places. Quality items stand up to wear better, but even they don't last forever.
And we, as people, change. What truly was an ideal piece for who we were when we bought it might not suit who we become 10 years later. I have had the odd experience of waking up one morning and finding my clothes all felt like costumes. It was the unexpected result of a huge amount of internal work, and not entirely welcome. But no amount of denial on my part made the clothes feel any better to me, so I had to let it happen.
If I can't justify the price with the amount of wear I am truly likely to get out of an item in 5 years max, assuming destruction within that period, then I don't get it. This isn't easy! I LOVE beautiful things. I get deeply attached to my clothes. But this helps me to wear them and enjoy them to their fullest, rather than leave them in my closet to protect them or until they no longer fit or suit me.
This is SUCH a useful and timely reminder to reset the perfectionism mindset that is so driven by society and media! Regarding your shoe reference (but this applies to furniture and other objects), I think sometimes giving our things TLC - cleaning, polishing, ironing, even refinishing - can help bring our used and loved items back from the “unpleasantly used” space into the wabi-sabi space. Giving loving maintenance to the things we have can be an antidote to the emotional drive to purchase “new”.
Yes yes yes I was just coming back to comment similarly! I just spent 10 minutes polishing a 12 year old pair of leather boots and giving them that care and attention made me feel so grateful for how well they have lasted, and I am amazed at how much better they look despite the patina (pronounce it how you will 🎉) ❤❤❤
Could we get another “What’s cheering me up right now” video? I love all your content, but I’m craving another collection of thoughtfully curated random things you are loving at the moment.
Working on it!
Wabi sabi! You are bringing it, Hannah. Next up, feng shui. Curation. Life as art. Keep having fun. Energy is flowing or stagnant, or somewhere in between. Friday morning musings. Enjoying the content. Topics on point.
What comes to my mind from this video is art galleries, exhibits, museums, etc. where they curate the space. They are always changing and updating as they go - that's literally the whole point of s curator as a job. But they do it over time and are really intentional about their selections so that it matches the theme, the event, etc. And what's lovely is that they never get rid of those pieces. They may not be visible to the public for a time, but they will make an appearance again. It's obviously not a complete one-to-one but for me the sentiment is there. I like the idea that I am curating my closet and accessories over time and that most of it will change over the course of my life time. It keeps it feeling fresh while also being mindful of sustainability.
Great video, Hannah! As always ❤
Yes. I have a couple of sweaters that I rarely wear because it just doesn't get cold enough where I live. But I am not going to declutter them. They are well-made and beautiful. So I keep them stored away, and they make an appearance every 1-2 years. I also store away clothes that I'm bored with (providing they are in good condition). I'll take them out a couple of years later and they feel new again. The better the quality of the piece, the more likely I'll want to wear it again after a "break".
@@Jasmine-in-my-mindyes!! Absolutely, I love this strategy.
I thought about museums too - giving things a rest and bringing them back to be appreciated in a new way
Ya know, I didn’t realize that this was going to be the video I needed today while I clean and work on home projects that feel never ending. Because they are. And that doesn’t minimize my accomplishment. ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for your thoughtful response to my question. The wabi sabi concept is new to me but after watching your video really helps put it all into perspective. I love this aesthetic in art and architecture but never thought to apply it to my wardrobe. Now this gives me so much more to think about. I do strive to replace items in favor of higher quality fabric or construction but now I will ruminate on how wabi sabi is at play in my wardrobe. Yes VOTE!!😀
yay! thank you so much for the amazing question!!!
I don't mean to be dramatic, but I think this video just changed my life. 🤯
I LOVE seeing so much fashion content on your channel!
second that!
I third this! I am not big into make up (I am very minimal when it comes to that and I'm not interested in trying more) but I am BIG into fashion and this content is the one I love most.
Same, I’m useless at makeup and keep it super simple, fashion otherwise and closet curation is my jam and I love all of the fashion and curation content
Your wardrobe is never done because your life is never done (until it is 🌸🖤) Your needs will continually change, and that's wonderful.
Also also, sometimes the chase, the curation itself, is the fun part. I think that's one of the impulses that can get some of us in trouble with shopping (or TH-cam!) addictions.
Thank you for consistently reminding people to vote ❤ It's our most basic and important duty as citizens.
Edit: for anyone who is feeling apathetic, remember....your vote is not a valentine. It's a chess move for the world you want to live in.
Plus: it's a privilege not everyone in the world has! Use it (wisely)! German people are counting on you! ❤
im 21 years old and started watching you when i was 18. what an absolute breath of fresh air and wisdom you and your channel are. i take your insights to heart and cherish them as i navigate what beauty - and the identity i find within beauty and fashion - mean to me. thank you !
I love how you take some themes that are not commonly talked about. When I watch your videos I feel like I am reading a semi classic novel with advanced vocabulary, which kind of helps me with furthering my english knowledge. English is not my native language. I feel like if i keep watching your videos, one day I will speak and write english perfectly 😁
I love this!
I feel this way too.
Same! This is the only beauty/fashion channel I'm subscribed to and Hannah's way of putting thoughts into words is one of the main reasons (her thoughts themselves being another one, of course). When I first stumbled upon her videos I thought to myself 'this girl should become a writer' only to find out later that she already is one 😅
as a native english speaker, I also love Hannah for this reason XD Such a pleasure to listen to and learn from in so many ways!
Lately, I have been tempted to buy a pair of black sandals with all the end of season sales but I have a pair of sky blue sandals that I wear all the time and are still in good shape. I don't need black sandals, my fantasy self wants them. My fantasy self is a chic minimalist fashionista, while my real self likes statement shoes, all the statement shoes.
I love when you add in the philosophical side of wardrobe and beauty and budgeting. So helpful to hear your (extremely well informed and thoughtfully delivered) take!
The thought of the sandals becoming more beautiful as a result of living a hard life is such a wonderful thought.
I was literally just scrolling back through years of your videos to find one I hadn’t watched before because I *needed* some HLP content. When I tell you I gasped when I saw this notification 😍
I had a similar reaction, just so much joy to see it! Hit "like" right after "play" just because I'm happy for a new video
@@teaisfortaniathis is such a lovely comment, Hannah does have that calming energy I seek for, too. ❤
Omg same!!! I’ve been binging Hannah’s “Beauty Budget” year (4 yrs ago now) in the background as I work for her calming voice and explicitly detailed musings you just can’t find anywhere else on the internet ❤
Seeing the beauty in wear, signs of life, “use” also helps us to appreciate our own aging. I’m 28, but I have seen some grays start and fine lines develop. My impression is that everyone my age online (esp in the fashion/beauty bubble) is getting lifts, botox, filler… and whenever I feel pressed about what older me will look like, I have to remind myself that 9 out 10 of the people with stuff done actually look less beautiful in my mind than the women I see with wrinkles and age signs who have maintained other aspects of youthful beauty about themselves.
As someone who is turning 28 tomorrow, this is a very comforting and refreshing perspective 🥹
@@BianaBova it’s been a good year 😂 5 stars on yelp would recommend
As a 63 yo, I can tell you that you grow into your self as you age. Not just physically but also mentally & emotionally. It’s a wonderful journey! Even the tough bits enrich you. Reality is always more beautiful in all its complexity than Botox, fillers & plastic.
I am 42 and I approve this message. I haven't done anything to my face, and I stopped dying my gray hair a long time ago, but I know myself and honor myself so much better than when I was young. I find so much joy and happiness in my life now because I don't feel ashamed to be myself anymore. When I'm full of happiness, it's so easy to give it to others. I make lots of people happy now, many more than I ever did in the past, and if that doesn't make me beautiful, then I don't know what could.
Thank you for encouraging people to vote!!
I hope the toe is better now! I am a scientist, and I work in publishing research. Throughout my career, I have struggled with finishing my papers (that anxiety is born from the feeling that there is still space for improvement). I swear, if there weren’t some due dates for me to send the final version of a paper, I would have sent out a third of what I have produced so far. I will print and paste on the wall behind my computer “wabi-sabi. Nothing is perfect, nothing is permanent, nothing is complete.” I can foresee that they will really help me from now on. Once again, thank you so much for explaining the world to us ❤
Hello fellow scientist! A museum curator masters candidate shared their department 's favourite wisdom at a Uni Christmas party:
"Better is the enemy of done!".
It saved us all kinds of grief from bench to bibliography in our genetics program. It behooves Manuscripts to be completed; while in contrast, evolution in art and life will never cease. Only viruses reach ideal state.
Also, I find Excellence and Perfection mutually exclusive entities. Best of luck with your work!
@@MeridaEllaSinnottDBurtramThank you so much for your kind words! I feel pressure in the academic world is a significant factor, especially self-pressure. Yesterday, I was talking to my former PhD classmate, and we were discussing how we became addicted to cortisol in the PhD program, and now, 2-3 years after, we still can’t get out of stressing ourselves out for any reason we can find
When I wrote my undergrad thesis, the only way I was able to finish it on time was by telling myself, "after I turn it in, I can always revisit it and add more later."
It has been over a decade and I have not done that. But occasionally I reread it and am pretty darn proud of myself for what I wrote!
Omg I love this comment my obsession with perfectionism when it comes to work is the absolute bain and crux of my procrastination. And the results are crippling. ❤
This video took a real turn into "The Girl in the Green Scarf." territory of using fashion as a lens through which to view ones values and life principles and I was Delighted with it. 🥰🥰🥰
This is the kind of intelligent and kind content I want there to more in the world, the thought you put into questions that to others might seem frivolous is so wonderful. I’d really love to hear more about your poetry! I have your book and have been enjoying it but would love to have a handhold to greater get the most out of it
Hi Hannah, great video as always.
I wander if you could do a part 2 of your “How to be elegant” video. Would be awesome to hear more of your thoughts on elegance.
Thank you for always sharing your brilliant ideas.xx
Hanna, you are now my favorite philosopher of navigating the modern sumptuary laws!
I like this. I think another question you can ask yourself is "why do I want to upgrade?" Is it because what you currently have is inexpensive, worn out, not designer? I think within the minimal community there can be an unconscious or conscious belief that more expensive automatically means better quality, more longevity, etc. which isn't necessarily true. Cotton is cotton. One may be better constructed, but that doesn't mean better fit. I really think it's on a piece by piece basis. Thank you Hannah!
I love your videos and content so much. I feel like for years I struggled with acquiring too many things,having too many choices, chasing the dopamine with retail therapy. I’ve been curating and downsizing my wardrobe over the past year to having “fewer, nicer things”. It’s made such a difference in my life. Thank you so much for your wisdom, guidance, and influence to help declutter and beautify my life. The idea of wabi sabi is exactly what my mind needed to munch on.
This is the kind of HLP content I live for. 🥰
Also, that brown mascara looks amazing on you! Love it!
The lovely abundance of videos lately (so many videos, each one so exquisite as always) has been so delightful.
LOVE this. I think it's part of why I'm drawn to secondhand/vintage shopping ... I don't want a brand new handbag or jacket. I want one that's already acquired some patina. The bonus is I know exactly how it will wear and hold up, because it's already broken in. If favorite items are looking rough, it's time for a trip to the cobbler or cleaner for a "spa day" refresh. Also, I find cleaning and polishing my own boots and shoes very relaxing.
My aesthetic doesn't really fit "polished, clean, new". My go-to is an oversized linen button down and a pair of shorts, no shoes or Blundstones, and dirt under my nails because I spend a lot of time gardening. Nothing I keep stays clean, almost every item I own has a stain of some sort. So seeking something that is already gently loved just makes so much more sense for me and my lifestyle and hobbies.
This is how I feel as I browse the housing market as well. I don't want a fresh renovation... for a number of reasons. I want something that hasn't been super updated in 30+ years. I want a home with personality, that has evidence of the families that lived there before, with notches in the doorways etching a visual representation of the passage of time. Same with the furniture I collect :)
This video evoked some Feelings in me that lead me to believe there's going to be a lot more thrifting in my future. I simply do not like a lot of shiny new stuff!
Great content! I was thinking about aging as well. The need for us to replace parts of us that reveals that we have lived. Instead of looking at it as a beautiful process, we look at it as an imperfections that we need to replaced, fixed, or covered up. Just like your Birkenstocks we should see ourselves as durable and not worst for wear. I love that concept of Wabi Sabi. . Thank you so much for this beautiful video.
You made me fall back in love with my boots that I’ve worn for multiple seasons. And they’ve been waiting again for just these upcoming months!
Nothing is permanent. All is change. It’s so helpful and comforting 🧘🏼❤
this discussion unlocked some reflections on being a child:
- the imperfect beauty of the items showing wear... do you remember those items that you kept on wearing until they fell apart or you grew out of them? my favorite items were the ones most loved & worn, therefore the softest & least new-looking.
- i wonder if this perfectionism is created by our school system. a system which is black & white, "A+, gold star" as you said, you've achieved something, it's complete. we are brought up in this system only to enter life, which is nothing but a gray area! there is not one right answer to life, life is wabi-sabi!
Oh my goodness!! I can’t believe the serendipity. I’m gearing up to start my first no-buy year in September. I’ve shopped my own book collection for a pile of books to help me through the year, and at the top of the pile are Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers by Leonard Koren and Wabi-Sabi Further Thoughts by the same author. This is exactly what I needed today, the day after I deleted my beloved Etsy app. 🎉
Great question, and great noodling! I'm pregnant, and feel my capsule wardrobe is in a good place, but at the same time know my body, the weather, and my preferences will keep changing in the next several months. But this season of life is really teaching me how much I enjoy a smaller wardrobe. I'm excited to viciously declutter a few times next year.
For replacements for quality, my personal rule is only when the current piece is so worn out it doesn't serve the same function(s). Functionally, this means almost never, but I think once I'm working with a smaller wardrobe that could speed up quite a bit.
If this is your first baby I wouldn’t be in a rush to declutter. I’m almost two years out from having mine and things are still in flux. I’m still nursing so that plays a role, but in any case I wouldn’t put a timeline on things especially that first year.
Your philosophical takes on fashion and consumerism are the reason why I love your channel ❤
These days I'm in the midst of a total reorganization of my summer wardrobe - because the summer heat here has become a long lasting reality - and I've been spending a lot of time shopping online in the hope of finding at least a few things that will suit my practical and esthetical needs. And while I find it tiring, yet I also find it hard to know when it's enough. So... This helped 😉
(Still... I hate when the things I love wear out!)
Birkenstocks specifically and all shoes wear and last better when worn at most every other day apparently. It allows them to fully dry out. Someone told me they had a pair last a single year (3 seasons) when worn everyday to eventual breaking. They've since had two pairs worn every other day going strong after 4+ years.
I firmly believe in this principle and I practice it religiously LOL
Interesting. I am on my 3rd pair of Birkenstocks spanning over 20 years so on average 7 -10 years life as I just purchased my newest pair. I do repair them, replace the tread usually.
I was in a rear end/head on collision in May of this year and my Birkenstocks were what I was wearing at that time - the shoes stayed on my feet and looked pristine even after the impact. Super amazing. They were the only thing that has been comfortable for me since and I’m seriously considering selling all of my other sandals because nothing else compares in quality and comfort!
I love the secret little outro... "This video is complete. And perfect. And permanent...take that." So cute. 😊
You are one of the most intelligent & poised people I have come across, I’ve been a viewer for years but I always find something fun or insightful in each of your videos ❤ all my best to you, Hannah
Not commenting on the substance of the video (though it is fantastic), but I LOVE THIS BROWN MASCARA. I have always thought brown mascara was pointless and now I'm ordering one.
I have always admired how eloquently you express yourself with words. I imagine that you write beautifully as well.
I literally bought the black Arizona Birkenstocks because HLP wanted the black Arizona Birkenstocks. I then proceeded to break my baby toe on my right foot, and had to wear a boot on that foot and the only other shoe I could wear on my poor left foot, were my HLP black Arizona Birkenstocks. I feel like we’re living parallel lives!💜🤣
wow it's even the same toe. My podiatrist told me that the boot is basically the same as a birkinstock so I've been wearing them on both feet 😂
@@HannahLouisePoston I hope you read that in the voice of the one girl on mean girls saying I saw Cady wearing cargo pants and flip-flops, so I wore cargo pants and flip-flops… I eventually switched out of the boot into the Birkenstock itself. Which is wonderful for the Birkenstocks because the Wabi was definitely overruling the Sabi on the left foot💜
Omgggg I bought Birks partly bc of Hannah too and this commentary on the like "getting tired" of the "perfect" thing was soo what I was feeling. Can't wait to adopt the wabi sabi mindset and hopefully NOT break my toe lmao.
Same!
Thank you for that, it makes me just a little less ashame being occupied with my wardrobe, getting ready with it to the next season-back to work life. It really do feels like i'm never really "there" especially nowas it feels i'm going through some kind of a natural style shift/changes.
I love that you made a fashion playlist I can listen to while doing repairs to my wardrobe
You are so beautifully articulate and this video was perfect , thank you
As usual (and always fabulous) it is about so much more than the stuff.
The “take that” at the end 😂 I love it
‘An ingestion of Wabi-Sabi.’ I love that. We needed to hear this!
I sorta like to see my clothes as a reflection of myself and my life.
There is something so beautiful and unique about looking at an item of clothing you’ve had for a long time and seeing it form its own unique identity. When an item is new, it looks just like all the other ones, but when you’ve had it for a really long time, you can think about all the journeys your life has taken together.
Yeah my suede jacket has some burn holes in it, but those are from 2013 New Year’s shenanigans.
Yeah one of my boots has a big scratch across the top, but that’s from a 2011 rock concert.
Those wool pants are starting to wear at the knee, but we’ve both moved to 6 different states since I got them.
I don’t look at the flaws as a sign of needing to be thrown away, but as reminders that my items are aging just like I’m aging, we both have wrinkles and scars AND memories.
I have the same feelings about my black ballerinas. They are atarting to show signs of use .They are the shoe that works with the entirety of my work wardrobe and other colthes, they are so comfy and BASIC and VERSATILE that i want to buy a slightly different version of it that works in my wardrobe just as well... But one could say I already have the perfect pair for me
I happened upon the Birkenstock Arizona sandal in 1988 as a newcomer to the Pacific Northwest (where Birkenstocks are worn year-round and with socks). As a newly-enrolled graduate student at University of Washington (U-Dub for you natives), I had literally never seen Birkenstocks before - at least not to my knowledge. I was intrigued and tried them on at a little shoe shop in Pike Place Market (Seattle). I’ve had them ever since. They have lasted so long because: a) for some reason I had the prescience to know that I needed to buy the kind with leather wrapped all the way around the cork, and b) I have taken really good care of them and had them re-soled throughout the years. People, these sandals are 36 years old, and they look almost new. And for a couple of decades folks would stop me on the street to ask me where they came from because Birkenstock didn’t make the leather-on-cork style again until the last few years. So they were an oddity. In the same way that their leather Mary Janes were an oddity - only made once and not repeated again (strangers on the street stopped me about the Mary Janes too). I don’t work for Birkenstock and I don’t own any of their stock but I will echo what Hannah is saying in this video - these are exquisitely beautiful and well-make shoes. And my feet always feel good in them. This is a link to the Arizona most similar to the one I bought so many years ago:
www.birkenstock.com/us/arizona-natural-leather/arizona-exquisite2-naturalleather-0-eva-u_1.html#sz=72
I’ll also add that I have just two other sandals, one is Naot (over 25 years old) and one is CorkEase (about 10 years old) and both show no signs of slowing down. It’s really worth getting well-made items that you truly love. And taking care of them.
PLEASE OMG YOU LOOK STUNNING TODAY ❤❤
Thank you for always stressing the importance of VOTING!!! I know a lot of young people don’t feel like their vote matters, but this year more than ever, it absolutely DOES! ✌️💙🇺🇸💙✌️
I just requested my absentee ballot, thanks for the reminder! 😊
“I assure you it can be pronounced either way.”
LOL the poet is like, don’t come for me. 😅🙏🏻🖤
just trying to avoid #patinagate2024
I am in a season in which I am experiencing a great deal of unwelcome change seemingly all at once, and I have been aware on some level that I am responding to these changes by doubling down on trying to nail down the "right" wardrobe, even though I know intellectually that the "perfect" comfy-yet-hip-looking boots will not do anything to stay these changes. Your thoughts here have helped me to step back and relax a bit--stop fighting it. I literally felt my shoulders release as I listened to you. Thank you for this.
Also, have you read the book The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts? In it, he uses this wonderful metaphor about how you can't hold a river in a bucket--that if you appreciate the beauty of a river and try to hold some of it for yourself by capturing it in a bucket, you create a situation in which the qualities you appreciated can no longer exist. You have to just let the river be the river.
Anyway, so much to think about. I really appreciate this community.
Aside from the fact that this is a very interesting topic overall, I love your perspective on it.
And you just made me think of that pair of shoes (sandals) I wore for almost an entire year straight because I terribly hurt my ankle and was unable to force my foot into any other shoe. I am still glad it was never freezing cold that year xD I loved wearing them later too. Never felt/had negative associations with it, they were a savior, truly.
I never perceive my wardrobe as "finished" it's a constantly changing concept that evolves along with myself. Some pieces leave, others get implemented. We always let everyone in our family go through pieces we decluttered before we make them leave the house to make sure we're not giving something away that nobody of us would love. Sometimes there are real gems within the stuff others don't wanna wear. I love having this luxury to have a family like that, I perceive this as a huge advantage.
My style has changed so drastically ever since I started choosing my own clothes all by myself without getting influenced by my Mom or by friends. I would feel awkward wearing the exact same clothes I wore as a teenager even though they'd still fit me. I still have clothes from back then and still wear them, but of course not all of them. I also have a knit sweater that my Mom wore when she was pregnant with me. And I love wearing it.
In terms of make up, I do have a routine down that I truly love and keep getting/making the exact same products all over again instead of trying something new aside from lip products. I love to experiment with new lipstick shades and see what impact they have on my face. But eye shadows, blushes, bronzers, foundation, whatever... not really interested in testing atm. I really had a favorite drugstore foundation and used it until it got discontinued. I was looking for a new one that would perform and look the exact same on my skin... I never found one so I made my own. And I am very happy with how it came out. Anyways: In make up I have tried and tested so many things and keep landing on the exact same end result, because I love it so much. But I would still never think that this is the end and nothing would ever change again for me. Maybe I will be into a different look in a few years, maybe I will not even wanna wear make up in a few years, who knows? I don't.
There is no "finish line" in such things, I think. No end goal in sight. And that's truly beautiful imho. That's also why aiming to be a minimalst was never appealing to me. I find videos about that topic very interesting and inspiring, but it's not my goal at all. I feel like in my case it would only disable me from growing and evolving and I don't want anything to do that. That's also why I stopped buying LE products just for the sake of having them or stopped instantly hopping on any trend I may like. Some things are cool and I totally love and will incorporate them into my routines and wardrobe etc. but others are just not for me. Learning to take a step back and ask yourself if this truly fits your individual standards, needs and likings or just tickles you because others do it too, is very helpful when it comes to personal development. And I am glad to be finally able to look at things from a distance first, then step inside myself and listen carefully before I decide what to do. It's also less stressful and more "slow" and "easy going" than what I used to do as a younger adult. (Meaning: younger than I am now, I still feel young and am still excited about the growth that's coming with getting older.)
Don't pressure yourself into anything, allow things to flow. Allow things to develop and allow yourself to adjust to the way you change. Change can be beautiful and isn't always a bad thing.
Always such a pleasure to watch your videos. I am currently on a "media detox" but in advance made an exception for your channel. Your content is so encouraging and thoughtful. It's actually empowered and motivated me more in my endeavor.
What a compliment to HLP! Hope the detox is good for you 😊
Oh yes. The infamous “patina” pronunciation debate 😂 i was awaiting its return
Love the fashion content! Can you do another styling video?
My suede Arizonas that I bought in 1995/6 ish are still technically alive. I wore them all summer for over ten years, rotating with a newer pair around 2000, and they have a worn out area in the toe, but they are still functional. They have string tied to them that reminds me of the person who put it there. I put them on sometimes just to give myself a little mood boost. The beauty is in the damage, just like marble stairs that have been worn down by use. I love seeing someone's perfectly worn-in shoes on their feet. It just gives me joy to see that comfort on another person for some reason. Not everything has to be crisp.
Love your thoughtful and intuitive approach, which is sustainable, environmentally responsible, and curated. New to your channel and having a blast hearing your take on personal style. I have had an appreciation for the wabi-sabi aesthetic for some time, applying it to my home and garden. Thank you!
How can a wardrobe ever be “done” when clothes wear out, styles change, and bodies morph into different shapes. A “finished” wardrobe would end up being nothing but a time capsule or a museum exhibit.
You always offer wonderfully thoughtful philosophical takes on people's comments and questions. Thank you.
A thoughtful philosophical approach that works for closets as well as it does for self, home, and life. There is no finished perfection. As an author of 11 novels I advise new writers that there is also no perfect literature or text either ( an author will always find something to change- lol.). As for the English language, it is vast but often it is other languages and cultures that provide the best word for a nuanced truth. Love your take on all things fashion!!! Currently trying to break in a new pair of Birks this summer.
I love this idea. I also find it helpful in terms of not “saving” my favorite things and never wearing them. The Tide Pen rec for whites (or anything else) was huge for me too 😂. I’ve never had success with stain removal despite all the products and hacks- but it turns out Tide is actually extremely effective! I watched Rajiv Surendra’s recent stain-removal video and took away the key strategies of patience (a difficult one) and kind of hammering the fabric with the toothbrush to get the solvent deeper into the fabric fibers. I watched his “blueing whites” video (I think you also mentioned) and even went so far as to buy his favorite product for it, but have yet to actually try it out. I’d honestly love to see a video from you trying it, or just on laundering clothing in general. For example, what do you do when your crisp white lettuce-edged socks have color-transfer from your shoes- do you risk contaminating your “crisp whites” load with them, or risk washing them with dirty white dish towels? (I realize this is overthinking for the average person, but I am clearly not one 😂).
If it were me, I'd prewash the socks in the sink! _not that I too have arcane interest in laundry or anything_
@@ruthan3370 😂 Great idea!
I'd put them in with the dish towels. First though, I'd spread toilet bleach (I've got the black bottle Harpic) over the stained areas of socks, press it into the fabric with my fingers and leave overnight. Then machine wash at 40°C with the usual washing powder. This is the best fuss-free stain removing process I've found. You should wear gloves when touching the bleach, it's not good for skin.
@@dreamer6943 Thank you so much! 😊
(Commenting for the algorithm, now i shall proceed to watch)
I love the way you described the wabi sabi-ness of your Birkenstocks 🧡
I've been thinking a lot lately about self-acceptance vs. the internalization of social judgment. I like this idea of applying wabi-sabi philosophy to understanding the inherent imperfection and incompleteness of the individual self of each of us. Today's self-directed question is, what are the unique and charming imperfections of my self and my self-presentation, which perhaps i can appreciate instead of cringing away from?
I just needed Hannah to tell me there’s nothing wrong with me today. Thanks Hannah❤
I absolutely love the end! I’ll take it for sure! Thank you for bringing so much wisdom to our everyday lives and struggles
Great video thanks!
Two things: I got really sick of my Birkenstock Arizonas and didn’t wear them for a couple years, but this year for whatever reason I am into them again! So I also think it’s okay if you have a shoe, especially for life, to let it go through ebbs and flows of wear. You can also get cleaning things specifically for birks I would recommend! Maybe that could also be something a cobbler might do.
The second thing is I’m a 3D artist and that perfect cupcake is far from, I would go so far as to say it’s bad, because in 3D we’re usually always aiming for realism so creating imperfections usually helps (like how cubic zirconia is a too-perfect diamond where it becomes a little uncanny valley). Not a criticism cause I totally get the idea behind it, I just thought it was kind of funny coming from this random area of specialized knowledge I have!
I have got to see these Birks 🤣 I feel like you are describing a person who has had a difficult life, who the years have hardened and still through all of that you are seeing their true beauty and inner spirit🤣🤣🤣🤷🏻♀️ maybe I need Birkenstocks?
After my makeup no buy year I shed most of my collection away, I use a small sample of it, and I've never been happier with my makeup collection, and I'm still shedding more. As the eyeshadows I have left start looking used, they look more wabisabi. I can see my love for each one, can see the imprint of my nieces tiny fingers in there.
Also after having a child my body changed dramatically and I had to rebuilt my wardrobe, slowly but surely. Who am I now? What do I want to evoke in others as I walk around?
Awesome video,breath of fresh air in this u tube universe.Japanese philosophy,notions of perfection and vanity wardrobe issues,really unlikely stew that led to profound musing. So enjoyable,thank you .
The sermon that I needed. More of this, please.
My goal is to look as good and put together as possible with * as little effort * (in the mornings) as possible
This reminds me of Velveteen Rabbit. That book is all about bringing the wabi-sabi.
Suffering from a severe shingles attack earlier this year which has left me with permanent nerve damage over half my lower torso, and being in the middle of perimenopause, I have had a love/hate relationship with elasticated waistbands and soft layers for the past 3 years. So I understand how you can get sick of certain garments because due to some health issue or other life event, you HAVE to wear them! I desperately wanted to wear jeans again so I ordered some pairs online... only to return the lot as I realised the best pair were the pair I already own: soft and broken in and super-flattering.
love!
Yes subtext! The subtext is am I good person? Am I sufficient? Have I reached acceptability? And then we jump to reassurance seeking. Even affirmations like imperfection is perfection is an attempt to assert acceptability to yourself. I dunno. I have intrusive thoughts so I have to talk to them and be like "big whoop" so when I hear someone say out loud something like my intrusive thoughts I feel like it might be useful to know what makes my inteusive thoughts go away. Its not reassurance seeking. Its not asking expertd or logic my way throught it and and research, research research. And....the only thing that actually works is"maybe I'm not acceptable. Maybe I am. I'll never know. It's unknowable." "Yep, I could be secretly be a bad person" "yup, I could never feel accomplished or good enough" "yep"
This is brilliant; thank you for sharing your insight. And "big whoop" is going to be one of my new mantras. Thank you!!!!!
Also, currently making it my mission to not go back and edit out the typos... ("Hi 👋 thoughts. Yep. I see the mistakes. Thanks. Yep. Big whoop" Exposure and response therapy out in the wild. )
This came at the perfect time for me, because I'm at a juncture in my fashion journey where I am starting to zero in on the elements of my wardrobe that speak to/animate me, and rid myself of the elements that have been distractions/deterrents to me truly loving and wearing ALL my clothing. It's a nice level to be at as opposed to being the "i have nothing to wear" girl. But I have found myself at times taking everything a bit TOO seriously, and forgetting that the whole point is having fun, allowing a certain amount of play and organic evolution. So trying to come up with some perfect formula for clothes that gives me the perfect level of versatility defeats the purpose and sucks all the joy out of everything. I need to be happy where I am and just go on the journey instead of attempting to arbitrarily speed towards this nebulous fantasy that doesn't serve me.
I find it better to focus on a few outfits that work well for each particular activity rather than a whole wardrobe. This seems to keep things more realistic, practical and grounded. Perfection is an abstract concept, at most a fleeting feeling of satisfaction, which topples rapidly as life and the world more on.
It's funny, this is about completing a wardrobe but I feel like I'm only starting to build my wardrobe for this point in my life journey. I've worn my closet down to rags, I cannot stand shopping.
Edited to add:
Also, this is a great video! 😅
Such beautiful explanation and exposure to this new concept for me, wabi-sabi. Thank you so much❤️
“Just because it isn’t complete doesn’t mean I can’t be satisfied.” I keep quote in view in my home :)
Oooh lots of thoughts on this one! For your first point about quality items developing a patina of age, reminds me of getting through the awkward teenager phase. There's like a middle period when something is not quite new but hasn't developed the lived in look and you feel like you wanna replace it! But sometimes it just needing to get through that awkward period!
In terms of completing a wardrobe, I think everyone is on a different journey and has different needs. For those of us that love fashion and beauty, this is an area we choose to invest and curate. For others it could be tech, or home decor, or keyboards, or power tools lol. I think it just comes with the territory of having a passion. You're gonna care about things others don't care about and vice versa. And all that is okay! (As long as you stay financially responsible haha)
Wonderful video, Hannah! I especially needed to hear the anti-perfectionist message.
This is amazing. Thank you.
Word of the day: Patina
Also, thank you for the insightful video, it's given me a lot to think about regarding my own wardrobe.
I bought my birkies the year after you did, but living in a country with 8 months of summer, travelling with them as my only shoe, wearing them to work 6 days a week, some days taking 20k steps in the heat and on rough terrain, the wear and tear has taken a toll on them. I'm taking them to a cobbler at the end of the month to see wgat they can do to them to help them last longer, but i still think of them as one of the top 5 purchases i did in the last 10 years. ❤