The Sweater
Do you believe in signs from the Universe? Naysayers you don't have to click away just yet, hang in there because whether you think this story is sign or just a plain coincidence - I think it’ll make you smile.
A few weeks ago, shortly after I had watched the movie The True Cost and begun mulling the idea of a fashion swap around in my head, I took a dip into one of my favourite stores - Anthropologie. I know, I know, this is completely what The True Cost is telling us not to do…unnecessary shopping. Still, I went in a take a peek around. FTR I do (sometimes) go in to Anthro and not buy anything. Clothes help me think sometimes. I took a few steps into the store and was literally stopped in my tracks. There, ahead of me was one of the sales associates wearing a very familiar piece of clothing - a sweater I remember my Dad wearing from my childhood. My Dad has been gone sixteen years now, but he mostly wore that sweater in the late 1970’s. I wanted to immediately go up the woman wearing the sweater and say something, but I was speechless - literally gobsmacked. After all, it wasn’t just a regular sweater - it was a big bulky one with a very specific navajo pattern and cool toggle buttons and it was my Dad’s. I wandered aimlessly around the store until I built up the courage to approach the sales associate, who I now know as Sarah, and tell the story of the sweater. She was moved and touched that I shared the story. She had bought the piece at a vintage shop here in Toronto. She said she felt like she should give it to me, but I said that wasn’t necessary. Our serendipitous meeting wasn’t really the about the sweater - it was about the message it carried for me. It was a very clear sign that I should go ahead and start planning She Shops Swap - that if this sweater could live on (and look great) for over fourty years, then so could so many other pieces in our closets (and our Dad’s), pieces of clothing we could share with each other. I gave Sarah a big hug…the sweater hugged me back.
Dad…in The Sweater!
I recently went back to Anthro to show Sarah the above photo of Dad in The Sweater. Her reaction was a little more emotional this time. Seeing him wearing “The Sweater” actually made it a little more real…she carried the message to me.
It’s amazing to think that our clothes live on for so long beyond us. That they have stories to tell - some good, some bad. This one was all good. So thank you Sarah and thank you Dad…the last place I thought you would pop up is Anthropologie. ;)
This is Sarah and I on the day I showed her the pic of Dad…what a lovely soul she is. If you ever happen to be down in The Beach area of Toronto, do me a favour and pick up a cup of your fave caffeinated bevvie for your boardwalk stroll at Bud’s Coffee Bar (@budscoffeebar) at 1966 Queen St. East. Sarah and her husband own this quint neighbourhood shop and it would make me so happy if you showed it a lil’ or a lotta love.
