I won’t be time traveling any time soon. Mostly because time machines don’t exist. However, I can communicate with past generations and step into another era that fits me both physically and psychologically through vintage clothing.

I have spent the bulk of my life scouring vintage shops, flea markets and my relatives' old wardrobes for a style that is personal and unique to me instead of simply something I follow. The clothing I find plays into the creation of my identity. Together, they flow into all aspects of my life — taking care of myself, being kind to people, saying “hello” to people and treating people with respect.

Vintage clothing is more than “old used clothing” and even more than new unworn clothing. It is a way of keeping history and art alive. Even if I am unable to find any details about a piece of clothing, my imagination creates stories. I always wonder about the women who wore the clothes before me. What was their personality like? Was this their favorite piece of clothing? What was their role in society? Did they gain any “new” rights during the time? These questions have me often times thinking about the quality of my life and what I will leave behind.

Aging is a fact of nature that I can’t get away from. I’ve learned that age is an experience that is somatic and visual. However, when it comes to vintage clothing, age isn’t lost. This is because clothes are imprinted along with the things that happen to me when I wear them and shake them out.

I may not know what I will leave behind to future generations as those who have been in my clothes before me. But I know that anything I do leaves an impact. So for now, I will live my life the way I want and learn to love the life that I have.