‘Worn Stories’ Examines the Tales Behind Our Clothes

Spivack became obsessed with the narratives behind clothes, and she started a blog in 2010 titled Worn Stories, which led to a book deal. The new television adaptation, Spivack says, offers an even more in-depth look at fashion stories. 

“There were things that couldn’t come across in the book that I wanted to share with people in a different medium,” she says. “I wanted to see the texture of the clothing and the person telling me the story.” Each episode has a loose theme, tying together disparate tales and garments. “You’ve got these handful of people who could not be more different from one another, but there’s a connective tissue,” says Spivack.

The series features a wonderfully diverse range of storytellers who have clothes in their closets that they just can’t quit. Spanish and American actor Charo appears to discuss the dresses that made her famous, as does Simon Doonan, who adores his cycling pants. Representative Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) comes on the show to talk about her world-famous cowboy-hat collection. 

But it’s not focused just on celebrities. The first episode of the series, for example, is themed on community and features different nudists talking about why they don’t wear clothes—that they feel more like themselves without wearing them. In episode three, which is focused on new beginnings, there’s also a story of Rudy, who goes shopping for the first time after being in jail for 41 years and reclaims his identity in the process. 

Spivack says the aim of the series is to explore how we all go through the same basic human emotions—whether it’s sadness, happiness, or grief—and how fashion can cling to these feelings. “A closet is an archive of memories and experiences,” she says. “When something unexpected or momentous happens to us while we’re wearing a piece of clothing, it suddenly becomes imbued with so much more significance.” 

She hopes the show also captures and preserves the storyteller’s special memories, even well after their garments are gone. “Clothing is not meant to last,” she says. “Whereas a piece of jewelry is meant to be passed down, clothing deteriorates; it falls apart. My hope is to capture some of the stories before they disappear.”  

This story originally appeared on Vogue.