I Like Old Clothes

by Mary Ann Hoberman, Jacqueline Chwast

A child who likes wearing hand-me-downs imagines in verse the history of these clothes.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry, Storytime, Fiction

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Mary Ann Hoberman was an American author of over 30 children's books.

Reviews

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1976, Hoberman's sweet ode to "old clothes / hand-me-down clothes / worn outgrown clothes / not-my-own clothes" still resonants in today's economic climate. The adorably rendered children in I Like Old Clothes are happy with their second-hand clothing; in fact, they love the mystery and history that comes with each piece. It's a refreshing tale of sharing and appreciation for what one has, as well as domestic recycling. I love the way the clothing is assigned a past--and a future with the next child who receives the "broken-in clothes / where've-you-been clothes."

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful, joyous celebration of hand-me-down clothing. Although many people perceive hand-me-downs as unfashionable, ill-fitting, and embarrassing, the little girl in this story loves her clothes and likes to imagine their previous and future lives. Hand-me-downs were always a big thing in my family, so this resonates with me. When my older sister and I were children, our friends from Texas mailed us boxes of their old clothes each year, and after we had used them, we passed them on to some local friends. They later returned the clothes for my much-younger sister, and whenever she grows out of a size, we give the clothes back for the friends' younger daughters to wear.

Some sizes are now too small for any of us. When I attended one of the older girls' graduations this summer, her mother pointed out that a toddler the girls babysit was wearing the same watermelon romper that the rest of us had once worn. Even though ten children had previously worn this outfit, it was still clean, neat, and adorable. Hand-me-downs are a wonderful way to make the most out of items and share special memories, and it was fun to find a book that celebrates this.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! A warm and loving ode to "old clothes"--highly recommended to those who might have a hard time accepting hand-me-downs or thrift store finds. Love this little girl's imagination as she thinks of where her clothes were before. Adorable illustrations, too.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

...and I cannot lie. This is a rhyming celebration of thrift shopping.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful illustrations and poetic story about a child's love of hand-me-down clothing! I was given this recommendation when I placed a hold on an e-book which was not available. So glad I tried it.

[حسناء · Rating 3 out of 5]

it brings good memories

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful perspective!

[Briarwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't my favorite, but I liked it. I like getting clothes from my friends. - G, age 6

I want to read it again and again and again! - R, age 3

It was really cute. We had a good discussion about where our clothes come from. - Mom, age 36

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrated by Patrice Barton = WIN.

This book is a celebration of hand-me-downs and outgrown clothes, appreciated by a little girl with an active imagination and an appreciation for the what-ifs and maybes of old clothes. Who owned this party dress? What was she like? How old was she? Did she look good in this? This girl wonders and plays and loves all the worn, faded pieces that someone else loved before.

Are there many kids out there like this little girl? Beats me. I don't think I know any. But here's the thing....
Besides getting my big sisters' hand-me-downs, I remember my mother bringing home black trash bags full of clothes from a family she knew but I didn't. My sisters and I were never, ever excited about going through those bags of clothes. Who wanted the leftovers from people we never met? But Mom tried to get us to appreciate those clothes, and I'm pretty sure we did wear some things from those bags. The thing is, there are plenty of kids in our schools today who don't know what it's like to wear something brand-new, straight from the store. Hand-me-downs from clothes closets and thrift stores are the norm, and maybe--just maybe--this little book could help those kids feel less...well, less "less than".

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one with my son*. This was a lovely poem story dealing with a young girl who loves old clothes. She wonders about who has worn them, where they have been, and what wonderful things were done when the last little girl (or sometimes boy) wore them. This was cute and light. Both my son and I loved the illustrations. My son kept asking me what would happen to his old clothes and how he loves his clothes.

I thought that this was a great story especially with today's economic and environmental climate. This book was originally written in the 1970's and yet still holds up for today's generation. The rhymes were simple and easy enough for my son to follow. I would read this again with my son


*All reviews of books that I read with my son reflect how well he did with the book and whether or not both he and I liked it. My son is a seven year old with multiple learning disabilities including communication impairments.

[Deborah]

"Clothes with a history,
Clothes with a mystery,
Sweaters and shirts
that are brother-and-sistery."

Just the right message, with soft illustrations which—appropriately—incorporate little recycled, collaged bits of fabric textures and patterns, and notions.

[Betsy Brainerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me remember how much I loved receiving my cousins' hand-me-down dresses. What a great subversive message for our children drowning in consumer culture. The illustrations are strikingly cheerful and incorporate different fabrics into the background. Love it.

[Lauren Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale not only combines a great message but pairs it with appropriate literary and design elements. This short poetry picturebook details a young girl who has a fascination with hand me down and second-hand clothes. She finds great interest in wondering who the previous owner and the other stories the clothes may have. In turn, this would be a great teaching tool for valuing objects that are old and reusing things. A skilled teacher could even stretch this theme and relate it to the importance of recycling as that is also repurposing items. This message is paired with an almost consistent rhyme pattern making it easy to identify for young readers and a sing-song like meter that helps propel the story. The poem also employs a strong comparison or either/or throughout, which could spark additional thinking with children when wondering what lives the clothing may have had before the girl found them. Finally, even the images match the overall, theme of old and reused things as they are faded and cloudy. This would match the worn and used clothes would look after having many owners.

[Kinnley Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible! A story of a young girl who much preferred to wear old clothes rather than buying them brand new. It is good to encourage young readers to be proud of who they are and how they express themselves, especially if they cannot afford new things. My favorite line from this book is, "Clothes with a history, Clothes with a mystery." It is fun to imagine wear clothes have been and where they may go, a good activity to do with students!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Clothes with a history / Clothes with a mystery." I agree, shopping thrift is so much fun! Thinking about what these dresses and sweaters have seen, who wore them, etc., is good for the imagination. Coming up with one's own style for so much less than new, and keeping stuff out of the landfill, is satisfying. A lovely book; highly recommended especially nowadays as our landfills do fill up with 'fast fashion.'

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute

I liked the rhymes and the updated illustrations, but I would like to see the original ones as well. As someone who wore a lot of hand-me-downs, I appreciate the sentiment of the little girl and her upbeat attitude.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful rhyming story about a topic many children (and adults) can relate to, and this story shows what fun it can be to wear secondhand clothes, clothes with a history. Sweet illustrations.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Great theme

May be a little over kids heads

May not be best for all audiences

Presented in a meaningful and positive way

Loved it

Soft watercolor illustrations added to the softness this story addressed

[linnybee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is comfortable. And beautiful. Extremely well-written with unique illustrations that almost feel hand-me-downed themselves. With the exception of basics, most of my kids' clothing is secondhand or thrifted, so this book made me so happy.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute!

[Annie Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as cute as I'd hoped it would be, although it fostered some good conversation and the illustrations were beautiful!

[Lydia Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet, especially for those who love hand-me-downs.

[Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it. We mostly wear hand me downs, this is great.

[Jenn Waleed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute!

[Jksmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet poem about old clothes. Reading had me reminiscing of childhood hand me downs. The illustrations are soft and joyful.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story that changes one's outlook on hand-me-downs!

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute! Her excitement for giving old clothes a new life is so refreshing and awesome! And this corresponds well with my love for thrift shopping.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me too!!!

[Freddie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then I find a book that feels like it was written specifically for me. What a gem this is.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks to me! So cute, so timeless! I join along sinigng "I love old clothes!"