((update: This was originally published when I still identified as a girl. Despite the fact that this is no longer the case, I have chosen to leave the writing here as it was because that was relevant to the points I was making at the time.))

I recently posted a picture of a pair of pajama pants that I had fun with patching, making the patch visible and interesting. In said post I indicated that the patch probably wouldn't look very good when worn because it's in an awkward part of the pants. A very well meaning individual responded to the post, reassuring me that "Visible mending is in right now, it shows you care enough not to just chuck it out and add more waste to the pile." This person was correct, as far as I can tell. And this message made me furious.

Rather than respond with some kind of blasting message in response, I got up and drank some tea and calmed down and thought about it. Now a few days later I'm writing out why I had that kind of response. I've realized it's a multi-layered thing.

1.) I hate being lumped in with the 'popular thing' 2.) I hate why this has become popular.

On point one; I have always tried to 'go my own way' and do things I enjoy doing, whether they are popular or not. This has often lead to me being interested in something just slightly before it becomes popular. I don't have a particularly 'special' taste in things, I tend to like things that lots of people like, but I tend to like them independently from a big 'hype' This is frustrating for me, because it matters immensely to me that I think for myself, and so when it seems like that's not what I'm doing I have a tendency to get defensive. Often leading to me looking like a hipster. At which point I try my best to remind myself that it doesn't particularly matter whether I look like I'm thinking independently or not, just that I know that I do, to whatever degree I can.

Point 1b. There's also an unfortunate tendency in the wider culture I live in to assume that women are likely just following a trend, whereas men are typically thought to be thinking for themselves. This is one of many small ways that old longstanding views that women are fundamentally incapable of thinking as well or in the same way as men is still sneakily in our overarching views. Thus, as it was a well meaning cis man who reassured me that something was "in", I know that I was responding to an assumption that this was a belittling statement. Given a minute to think, and thinking about what I know of this person, I don't think that this was consciously in play, and there's no way for me to know whether it was subconsciously so.

On point two; I really really wish that the reason why visible mending is "in" right now is because of what he stated. That it shows that you care about your clothes and about the world we live in. In part, it is. There has been a major push to mend instead of trash your clothes, and to take care of your things. Groups like Fashion Revolution have pushed very hard on this point, including making some headway with the hashtag #lovedClothesLast

Unfortunately, I don't think that's why visible patches are "in"

I think that the systematic creation of disposable clothing, the intentional killing off of the industry of clothing repair, matched with levels of economic disparity that boggle the mind are why visible patches are "in".

And that's tragic. It's "in" because during the past few generations we've decided that the skill of clothing repair wasn't a priority. At this point, the skill of "invisible" patching, and/or the re-sewing of garments, doing things like replacing panels etc, is almost exclusively one practiced by professionals. And as there is such a limited market in clothing repair, while people like the Duke of Edinburgh may have their expensive clothing expertly patched and repaired, the average person just can't afford to have that done. Particularly when clothing sellers have made replacing your clothes often less expensive than repair. But sewing a straight stitch through the rectangle of fabric you pulled from another dead t-shirt is simple. Anyone can do it, so now those who can't afford to buy new, and really shouldn't spend money on used, are doing exactly that. So, given the small push of a couple of hashtags, it is becoming popular.

I think it should be popular to repair your clothes, or have your clothing repaired. I think we need to push for more well made clothing in the first place so that that doesn't lead to wearing things that are more patch than clothing. But while I'm darning my socks, I'm raging at the level that I was never prepared for this, and the level to which I'm being sold inferior clothing in the first place.

https://www.fashionrevolution.org/ Fashion Revolution's website