From Bay Garnett Q. Friends and acquaintances who know how
much vintage clothing I have often ask if they can borrow something. My problem is that because people know I have acquired most of it for tiny amounts of money in thrift shops and so on, they assume I will not mind if they do not return it. How can I put them straight and explain that these things are part of a collection without introducing an unfriendly nagging element?
A. Hand the item over pleasantly and ask the borrower to write on the back of a plain postcard their name and the date they will return it by. Then take a polaroid of the borrowed item and pin it, along with the postcard, on to a giant corkboard centrally positioned in your living quarters. As you do so say jokily, ‘I call this my naming and shaming board but don’t worry about it. You come straight off as soon as you return the borrowed garment.’
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