DIY versus Ready-to-Wear

Don't worry:P It's just a costume

I recently found the only physical alternative shop in my city. Quite possibly the country.

It was a little disappointing.

Most of the clothes I saw were either poorly made or sewn from poor quality material. What interesting pieces that were there were old Lip Service imports or unusual prints. Granted, there were the standards: band patches, studs and spikes. That I can't argue with. I really can't think of any where else that sells them.

But then there were the mods.

There's a difference between store modifications and DIY's. Store pieces can look over done and almost tacky. Plus, they were expensive as shit. My friend was looking at some and I explained she should just do it herself.

DIY's are not only cheaper but they often end up looking so much better. I must have scrolled through hundreds of pictures of jackets and jeans DIYed from the 80's and 90's. They look fantastic. Just the right balance of embellishment and general wear-and-tear. Not only that, but the pleasure that comes from wearing something you've (as I call it) 'edited' is far more than spending the extra hundred dollars on new clothing.

When you make something yourself, you make it your own. It gives you a sense of pride and expresses your own individuality and creativity.  And that is, in my opinion, a significant part of subcultures like punk and goth.

Making your own pieces requires a degree of research, not only into what people wore. The closer you look into it, the more you understand what concepts they stood for and how they expressed themselves, particularly through the music that initially defined the times.

There is nothing wrong with buying Ready-to-Wear looks. But if people never 'do it for themselves', they run the risk of missing out on what, I believe, is a truly significant and enjoyable aspect of many subcultures.

tumblr