Years ago, “something borrowed” was a phrase I first noticed while watching Friends. I later understood that those two words referred to a tradition followed somewhere in the world, and I was curious to know more. I observed it, processed it, and left it there.
Now, almost 20 years later, I can finally put words to this phrase—and it means exactly what it says. In India, the seeds of “something borrowed” are often sown at birth. Here, though, what is borrowed is usually not meant to be returned. 😉 We have a tradition of passing on used baby clothes—washed many times and softened over the years—to newborns, so their delicate skin is not irritated by the starch, stiffness, or fresh threads of new clothes.
I was fortunate to experience both sides of this tradition within just four to five months, and it was a truly beautiful feeling. At first, the idea of dressing a newborn in old clothes did not sit well with me. But as I grew older and came closer to the experience, it began to make perfect sense. There is a special joy in receiving those clothes, especially when they once belonged to your nieces or nephews. Words may not fully capture how overjoyed I felt. There is something deeply moving about seeing them wear those clothes first, and then watching your own baby wear the very same ones.
There is also something heartwarming about seeing someone close to you wear your baby’s clothes. I remember washing and ironing Baby I’s clothes before giving them away, feeling so much pride at the thought of another newborn wearing them.
This tradition, which begins at birth, becomes deeply woven into the lives of many families. Take me, for example – I still look forward to the moment my sister says, “There is a bag full of clothes kept for you; take whatever you want.” Believe me, some of those clothes are 10 to 15 years old, yet they still look almost new.
I think the feeling is mutual here too. Clothes that were once passed down to me, along with some of my own, are eventually packed into a bag and sent to another city—ready for a third owner to experience the same love. They are given away with a heavy heart because they are your favourites too, and that feeling grows even stronger, with a tiny hint of jealousy, when you see your sibling wearing and flaunting them.
I am sure many people continue this tradition with baby clothes, though perhaps fewer carry it into adulthood. In the previous generation, I heard stories of siblings borrowing each other’s shirts for interviews—often for a specific occasion. Over time, as affordability increased and shopping became far more frequent, most of us no longer face a shortage of clothes. Yet that has not stopped us from stealing, sharing, or formally borrowing from our siblings, simply to enjoy the emotional closeness and playful banter that comes with it.
Wonder what makes this tradition so special? These clothes carry more than fabric and stitches—they hold memories, laughter, growing years, and quiet pieces of the people who once wore them. And every time they are passed on, they begin a new chapter, carrying forward not just comfort, but love, belonging, and a little bit of home.
