For most of my life, I've observed female behavior from afar. Unable to participate, I watched with envy how girls help each other. I thought it amazing that women share clothes with each other. Guys never do that.
When I started blogging (2010), I noticed some bloggers give clothes to one another and write about it. This again triggered my respect for women's support of one another. I craved being invited to that party but figured it'd never happen. I didn't think anyone would ever accept me as female -- or even close enough to female to send me clothes.
I was wrong! Thankfully, gratefully, I was wrong. After blogging for a year or two, a friend sent me a skirt. I was thrilled! And then another friend sent me some jewelry. And then another friend sent me a top. The dam was broken and precious water started flowing into my life. The crops in my heart are irrigated and growing.
Every time someone gives me something female-oriented, I'm euphoric and appreciative. Their gesture gives me more than just an object. Their gesture displays real kindness -- recognition and support of me at my most authentic level. I had hoped for such recognition for five decades and, until recently, never believed it would happen. I'm still surprised it is occurring.
I'd like to take a moment and thank some of the wonderful women who've done this. They are Megan Mae, Gracey, Lynne, Emma, Finnley, Lorena, Jen, Megan, Maggie, Bella, Jazmin, Tamera and Lynn. Thanks, guys!
What's prompting this post is a package I just received -- from South Africa! Blogger-friend Lynn (whose sister Wendy also blogs) sent me a gorgeous necklace. A real statement piece. I took a picture of it this morning (below) and will wear it soon.
Do you ever give clothing or jewelry to friends? Have you received any? How do you feel about sharing?
I am glad to hear that you are getting to experience the love from others. This necklace is gorgeous! My girlfriends and I exchange clothes a lot. It's like a whole new wardrobe for free. Have a nice weekend :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous necklace! Can't wait to see how you style it :)
ReplyDeleteWhenever I talk to my non-blogging friends about bloggy friendships, I use you as an example. (Is that weird?) And I talk about how excited you were that time I sent you my hand-me-down shirts that I wasn't even sure would fit you, and how happy it made me that they made YOU happy. I still they sometimes still don't get it. Now I have a link to give them to explain better than I could, haha.
That necklace is strikingly piece of art. What a wonderfully lovely, generous gift to receive (I bet you're already thinking about how you're going to style it).
ReplyDeleteI definitely shared and have been blessed to received clothing from fellow vintage loving friends. Every time I receive this kind of incredibly touching gift, I genuinely feel a certain sensation - it's a bit like a strong shiver - run through my body, and then I have to fight to keep the tears at bay. To know that someone was thinking about you and wanted to share a part of their wardrobe with you because they thought you'd enjoy/benefit from/love it, is humbling and beautiful.
♥ Jessica
How lovely! I am so glad you've found blogger friends who share with you, and I love your honest, open enthusiasm with which you always greet gestures of friendship. (And your card arrived today! Thank you so much!)
ReplyDeleteI grew up in an all-male household, and I'd always wondered about sharing clothes. I watched my best friend do so with her mother, but I outweighed my own mother at 11, so I did not experience that until very recently. :D (I lost weight after a decade and a half of athleticism, and she is now a little bigger than she was 20 years ago.)
I love sharing clothes. There's something so fun about seeing your things on someone else, and a joy that comes from sending something to a new good home.
I am DELIGHTED that you received my package and that you love it!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw it it literally jumped off the table and screamed "ALLY!!!!!" at me! And I thought would add a lovely 'African' feel to one of your outfits.
I love to give jewellery and clothes as gifts however not being a fashionista I would not share any of my own clothes with anyone although I do give my gently worn items to charity where I know they can be used well.
Awww you are always so kind :) hugs.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful necklace!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to have been apart of your new social network. You only had to open yourself up to let the friendships flock to you. You're a lovely person and I'm so thrilled to be your friend.
PS! I hope to get a fresh package out to you soon! I've fallen a bit behind in my mailing and I've got a stack of packages to mail out to my blogging buddies. I've always adore snailmail. It's one of the most precious things in my life having a package or letter show up in the mail.
Ooooh, pretty necklace, Ally!
ReplyDeleteI shared clothes with friends occasionally, and never minded a good hand-me-down, but it wasn't until I started blogging about secondhand style that I became a part of the wonderful exchange I think of as little packages of magic from my new blogger and/or reader friends. I love it when I find a treasure I think someone would enjoy, altho' frankly all y'all have such good taste and stylish flare that I worry about sending something that a friend will find just awful - but never tell me...lol.
I haven't received a special bloggy package yet, but I have plenty of things that I want to give away with certain people in mind. You included, but I'm afraid to ask for people's address to send them goodies for fear I might look like a creep. If your interested in getting more girly goodies, I'll be more than happy to send you a few presents! hollieblack@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way! It's even worse for me 'cause I worry about people perceiving me as a boy. So I always wait until they offer to give me their address. I never want anyone to feel unsafe or uncomfortable in their relations with me.
DeleteThat said, expect an e-mail today!
This is so sweet :) that necklace is beautiful, a statement piece ! Sharing is so beautiful and even more when you feel it's highly appreciated ! Hugs
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies
This is so sweet - I also want to be part of a clothes-sharing group one day!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
-Kati
P.S.: Thanks for commenting on my last post - I highly appreciate it!
Thats so awesome! When I was young I had a really cool babysitter and I really looked up to her. Every once in awhile she would come to visit and bring a big bag of cloths for me (either they didnt fit her or she was tired of them) and it was always so much fun and I wore them proudly. I love it when friends give me things like this, mainly because it means they were thinking of me in some way. I also regularly give things to friends ie. I had a top that I bought and didn't suit me and I knew the perfect friend that it would look great on. She loved the top too!!
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those few women out there who has never shared clothes or jewelry with a friend. This is probably because I haven't had a similar body shape to my close friends. Or maybe I'm just really selfish--ha! ;)
ReplyDeleteI know I'm one of them pals and it was great to be able to send you a little something all the way from Africa ....I how you've received from other countries as well! Next I need to send a true African dress or bead jewellery.
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