created 2025-06-26, & modified, =this.modified
rel: Holes Subtle fashion - pins Object Love Wabi Sabi for Artists, Poets, Philosophers and Thinkers
I have this blue dress shirt that I’ve worn for ages (literally throughout my professional career, since I bought it to coincide with when I was hired). Over the years of use it has gotten worn down but it’s only noticeable with close inspection. The back collar has to most obvious sign of wear. I keep it in rotation because of the fit.
Thought
I notice this is a trait I have for certain things. If I am not tremendously interested in the object, and it serves its function, I’ll not change it unless I have to. I will focus on other things.
But this isn’t a rule. If it is something that I get a lot of use of, and I truly enjoy, I’ll readily absorb whatever cost is necessary to repair or upgrade.
I would take it to the dry cleaners to be cleaned. Eventually they refused, simply because the fabric itself had gotten so worn that they were afraid another cycle would ruin it completely. They probably have my dissatisfaction in mind, like I would be a disgruntled customer who would complain because of a tear – I would never.
The reason I am mentioning all of this, is because I am wearing this shirt now, as I type this. Earlier I was idly examining my arms, and the fabric in the area that I normally cuff. Within are the most minute of holes, almost akin to a beauty mark, but they had been filled precisely with a thin blue thread.
I love this, and it has given the object so much more worth to me. Scattered all around me are tiny holes, that they noticed, that I didn’t really pay attention to and yet they considered them and filled them.
And I wonder, why did they form where they did? Why has this part of my upper shoulder formed a hole? Why a millimeter on my inner bicep?
What was the story of the hole? Regular wear, and a singularity forming? Snagging upon something, the trace of thread lingering on the sharp edge.
A hole like this doesn’t get smaller, only larger – unless care and effort (however hidden) mends it.