Bà Nội believed that a second-hand garment is imbued with the previous owner’s vía – the sum total of their hopes and fears. Before wearing the garment, you must alter it in some way. The alteration can be a button tucked inside the hem or a bit of embroidery under the neckline. No need to transform a flowing blouse into a camisole, unless the fabric was the charm.
Whether the garment was Bà Nội’s favorite or a thrift-store find, start anew. Create your own luck.
Photos by Emci