Those Days Are Long Gone
There's something I've been thinking of for some time and today I decided to write about it, to see if I'm the only weirdo in such situation and if it's normal, or not. Talking about normal. What is normal these days? Can you answer this question for me?
When I was a school kid, we used to have tough winters, meaning snow for months and temperatures down till -25°C, for weeks. Our winter gear consisted in snow boots, warm trousers, stockings, jumpers, scarves, beanies, gloves, warm, lined jacket with hood and so on. Winter was a lot of fun though, especially during the holidays as we spent it outside playing in the snow, skating, sledding and enjoying every minute of it.
Photo by Irene Kredenets on Unsplash
However, nothing lasts forever and at some point, around this time of each year, we got fed up with winter and could hardly wait for spring to arrive. Spring at that age meant you go to school without your beanie, which you could only do if your parents let you, or you took off your beanie the second you got out of your parents' site. But the real evidence of spring was when you could swap your snow boots with your spring shoes and take a lighter jacket as well.
At that age, you're constantly growing and almost every year we needed new shoes as the old ones were not only in bad condition but didn't fit either.
Photo by Iman Ameli on Unsplash
Back in those days, life was pretty tough, people were happy if they could make ends meet. Shops and grocery stores were empty and to buy a pair of shoes, you had to visit all the shops in the city and buy what you could get your hands on, not what you wanted or liked.
Photo by Mohammad Metri on Unsplash
Yet, I still remember that amazing feeling that I felt when I was finally allowed to get my spring shoes, or sneakers for school. It felt like putting down some weight and moving faster, especially with a good pair of sneakers with flexible soles. Or going to school with your new jacket that had definitely brighter, happier colors and design than your winter coat.
For the record, we didn't have a whole wardrobe full of clothes, meaning several winter coats, boots or jackets. You were happy if your parents could buy you new clothes and shoes as often as was necessary. Demand exceeded supply hundredfold and most people were equally poor. Kids inherited their older siblings' clothes most of the time.
As the title of the post says, that amazing feeling that I had when getting something new is long gone. Today I can afford what clothes or shoes I need or want, and even though I value a lot what I buy and have, somehow I feel less enthusiastic about new clothing items or shoes.
Photo by Tom Sodoge on Unsplash
It may seem strange as I'm a woman and women are known to love fashion items and some are willing to go to extremes in this regard, having an impressive collection of everything, but not me.
I tried to figure out the reason, but I don't think I have an answer. is it because I can afford what I want and have everything I need? Is there another reason? Like clothes and shows serve the purpose and that's all? I was trying to think back if showing off was a thing and most likely it was, although there was not much to show off with and most kids had the same brand of clothes and shoes. Was this the reason? As today I definitely don't want to show off anything I have.
Does this seem crazy? Do you feel the same? Let me know in a comment, let's see if I'm the only weirdo here in this regard 😂
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I think it's probably because we lose that sense of peer pressure as we get older. When I look at my sons, they really try to keep up with fashion, and for whatever reason, shoes seem even more important to them than clothes. At that age, looking great is a top priority.
I still want to look good too, but as a man of my age, there seem to be some 'restrictions' in place! For instance, my wife has strictly forbidden me from buying new hoodies. I'm allowed to wear the ones I already own, but no new ones are making it into the closet.
I'm also the type of guy who wears clothes until they literally fall apart, which naturally cuts down on my shopping trips. I always used to love flashy, bright colors, but they just don't feel right for my age anymore. I stick to more neutral tones these days—though grey is completely ruled out because it matches my hair! You're definitely not the only weirdo out there.
Everyone wants to look good, myself included and what I forgot to mention in the post is that I buy quality products, almost always go for genuine leather shoes, that last for a long time.
Why aren't you allowed for buy new hoodies? That is cruelty 😄
The truth is, I've been keeping my old clothes because those were still in very good condition and in 2023 finally decided to declutter my wardrobe and sold the pieces I don't need anymore on Vinted. Made some money and I'm glad I didn't have to just throw them away. So now I have more space, but that doesn't mean I'm going to fill it with new ones, unless I need something.
Thanks for joining the club 🤣
Everything that’s easily available tends to lose its value for us. That’s just how we’re wired. And with age, our priorities shift — things like health start to matter more than fashionable stuff.
A lot of people are pushed by society to follow certain rules, and by the end of their lives they realize they were living someone else’s life, not their own. Some never even manage to see that.
Under communism in the USSR, people didn’t have much, yet many of them were happy and remember those times warmly. Friendships felt real, and there was less to divide people. In contrast to what many see today as a more selfish, greedy, and transactional form of capitalism.
(Just my late-night stream of thoughts.) 😂
Stupid translator, translated everything incorrectly again.
I know exactly what you mean and agree with it. One thing I hate is mass production and most likely it comes from my childhood, I can't stand to wear the same fashion items that the masses are wearing.
Kind of feel sorry for those who can't break out of this circle, following the trend set by others and wasting their money on things they don't particularly like, but feel it's a must for their social standard.
I can relate, in the younger days I cared about clothing coming from the Soviet Union where we had the same scarcities you have described. Then came a period of caring less, but still I paid attention to the clothing as clothing was appreciated by the women as it served as a status symbol as well as the kind of car I drove. Then I got married and now clothing and cars are pretty much provide zero value to me and I really don't care anymore as at a certain point of affluence these items just do not matter...
P.S. The pictures you used in the post can be described as "Shoe P*rn" in American English :)
😆 I know but it feels good to do this for these posts. Usually I am posting my own photos but I can't beat these with the shoe collection I have.
My motto is quality over quantity and thus I have less, but good quality, that lasts. But I agree, we had pretty much the same childhood and see things differently. It's sad to see people go into debts just to beat the neighbors with a new car, or a fancier vacation they can't afford. That goes for fashion items too.
When I was growing up we didn't have a ton of money, so name brand stuff wasn't really on the cards for us. We had what we needed though and it was always nice to get new things. My wife on the other hand usually had to wear the hand me downs from her sister.
Not just your wife, I guess so many are in this situation. Not necessarily a bad thing but only to a certain age. Then I guess everyone wants new clothes, which is normal.
Yes, very true. I think she makes up for it now that she is an adult, we have so many clothes!
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i remember back in the days everyone used to wear Nike, if you didn't you were marked... when i got my first nike i was happy, it came quite late
nowadays we can afford almost whatever we want, i mean not a Lambo ofc, but camera, phone, clothes, big Tv... nothing really excites anymore, but that is how consumerism works right? never be happy, never have enough...if you are not happy you keep buying trying to search satisfaction, it's a loop to make you spend
That is a big issue and I suppose kids these days feel this pressure even more. It's sad when this is how you grow up and this pressure shapes your personality as at that age, not many have the courage to stand for their choice. They are not smart enough.
There's a huge segment that lives like that. Happy are those who don't.
Today the pressure in even more than at our times, and not only for brands, like phones, now kids have them at 6-7 years at first grade first class which is insane, those who don't have it get isolated from the group and left alone... My son is not old yet for that class, but I fear this, no way in hell I'll give him a phone at that age but I don't want him to be isolated from the whole class and left alone
I understand your concern and agree with you.
Gadgets are a huge problem and make kids an easy target as well. It's difficult to find a balance, as to when to buy them phones, because you want your kid to be digitally educated, but avoid them being online all the time, accessing the wrong sites. Not an easy decision.
You aren't crazy. I grew up with peer pressure to have the name brand clothes and nice stuff. We could not afford it. Like some, I wore hand downs from my older brother until I was a certain age. Once a teenager and peer pressure started becoming a thing, it was different. We found a discount store and bought knock off brand clothes. But only after I grew out of the old. Which happened a lot because I grew fast.
Sometimes I wonder if life would be easier for kids mentally if they all wore the same clothes. What do you think?
Well, in theory, maybe this seems like a good solution, but trust me, human nature is designed to find a way to stand out. I used to make some clothes for myself, just to be different. If my parents could get their hands on some yarn, I knitted pullovers for myself, just to have something unique, which was not necessarily a bad thing as we got some valuable skills for life.
I only buy something if I like it and catches my eye and that happens very rarely that if and when it happens I do not hesitate. I think how you feel is normal and you are comfortable with who you are and value the things you have.
You're right about that and it is important. Imagine when your well being depends on social validation. Terrible.
I'll tell you... I'll tell you... that I'm a woman and very much a woman, but... a bit strange, because I'm an alien. I've never been swayed by brands or what's in fashion. Instead, I wear what I like and what I think suits me, comfortable and simple. For example, I love pants and I'm not going to wear a skirt... I like flared pants, and when I find them, I buy three pairs for when they're not in style, ha ha ha.
I also wear what I like and what suits me and my personality.
I've never bought several pieces of the same clothing item, unless it's socks or lingerie.
But I know that the fashion I like will eventually go away... I have to be proactive, I don't like pants that are tight at the bottom.😆
😆
🤣I think I'll go see if I can find one today!!! If I like it, and if not, I won't buy anything.