“Fuck clothes, I cop pieces”- A$AP Rocky. The art of ‘piece’ selection, Part 1.

Piece selection in the context of clothing is basically the purchase of an article of clothing because it speaks to you from a position of artistry/ self-expression. When buying pieces, how clothes would look when put together with the others you have in your closet do not play a major role in your purchase, because you simply trust yourself enough to put them together when the need arises. Essentially, you are more invested in the idea of wearable art or curious enough to test yourself by observing how various individual items in your closet communicate.

Similar to how the art industry finds a lot of its value in rarity, the biggest clothing enthusiasts would tell you about the importance of ‘rare finds’. In short, these are pieces which not only look aesthetically pleasing, but possess an aura of exclusivity, reducing the chances of the wearer looking the same as the next person, and if they do, both parties instantly find themselves within a community, due to their like-mindedness.

“Essentially, you are more invested in the idea of wearable art or curious enough to test yourself by observing how various individual items in your closet communicate”

Based on their definition, as well as the zeitgeist of mass production even in high fashion, these ‘rare finds’ often take a vintage form i.e. they are more likely to be found in vintage stores, as buyers understand that not only do they get this ‘aura of exclusivity’ but they often get it for a fraction of its worth. Essentially, they get bigger chances at possessing higher quality and exclusive items at an affordable price.

This is a key reason why pre-owned store platforms have experienced a spike in interest, from consumers, buyers and large corporations. These vintage ‘rare finds’ are usually discarded by the initial consumer, but speak to the person of the second-hand buyer, a factor which places emphasis on uniqueness. This is also a key reason why for an affordable price, what one individual (usually the initial consumer) considers to be redundant, another individual (perhaps the second-hand buyer) considers a ‘steal’.

“but the non-vintage ‘rare finds’ maintain a similar appeal, one possessing this aura of uniqueness, either through exclusivity via limited production or the capacity for each wearer to style differently”

However, not all ‘rare finds’ are vintage pieces, but the non-vintage ‘rare finds’ maintain a similar appeal, one possessing this aura of uniqueness, either through exclusivity via limited production or the capacity for each wearer to style differently i.e the design of the piece does not dictate how the wearer should wear it. Take for instance, a well tailored 2-piece suit will often dictate to the wearer what sartorial codes to be followed, limiting expression. But if the jacket were to be sold as one individual piece, the consumer feels less compelled to follow said codes, thus viewing this jacket as a ‘piece’.

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