Stories To Tell

Have you ever looked at your closet? I mean, really looked at it? Or do you simply throw open its doors, reaching blindly for one piece of clothing or another while your Mom yells at you to hurry up? Or do you stand there, analyzing the perfect outfit for the day, skimming over your collection?

Why would I ask these questions? The truth is, I haven't really looked at the clothes in my closet for a long time. I'm always reaching to the upper shelf to grab a scarf, or on the floor to grab a pair of shoes. Have you ever thought of the story behind each article of clothing in your closet? Have you thought of how they reflect on what type of person you are? Your class, your taste, your mood, your style...etc. You could be sending people a certain message by the way you dress and not even know it! Whether that message is positive or negative, is the true question.

Albeit, some people send a message via their clothing on purpose. Some may dress in a disheveled manner, signifying they don't care or have no ambition. Other's may choose to dress in only baggy sweatshirts and sweatpants, signifying that they value comfort and perhaps don't concern themselves with the latest fashions or what others think. Still others, like a girl in my art class at UW Sheboygan, may dress in all black and wear corsets with heavy black make-up around her eyes. She's a very nice person, and quiet like me, but the first time I saw her I couldn't help but bring to mind every judgment and stereotype about a person who dresses like that. The only reason I pushed them aside is because my best friend dresses in similar fashion, choosing to wear mostly black, dye her naturally brown hair black and wear heavy make-up. Upon seeing a person like that you can't help but think they're on the fringes of the social world, but upon getting to know her in high school, I realized that she was a very friendly, open person who dresses the way she does not to prove a point or give a statement, but because she likes to.

Just as I dress the way I do because it's how I feel most comfortable, which is basically jeans, t-shirts and the normal lot. In winter time I live in knee socks, scarves and sweaters. Not only do I like wearing all three of these things because of the blessed extra warmth they give me, I also do so because I like being wrapped tight so to speak when the wind forms a biting edge and snow flutters from the sky.

This whole blog post came about after I recently began wearing old clothes in my closet again. It's no secret that times are tougher these days and money is scarce, therefore I've had to go without virtually no new clothes this year. So, I braved the uncharted depths of my closet and pulled out some clothes I hadn't worn in a while including one thick sweater, two long-sleeved shirts, one pair of jeans and one hoodie. Sounds like a lot doesn't it? And it was! I was amazed at how many clothes I had forgotten about, and just like finding a lost book somewhere around the house you loved, you can't help but dig in, so to speak.

As I was rummaging through my closet, though, I couldn't help but think how so many of my clothes have meaning or stories behind them. Take for instance the thick sweater I found at the back of my closet, I remember getting that when I was a freshman in high school. Now a sophomore in college I found myself reminiscing of that year that I scarcely recall! Also the pair of jeans I found in my dresser drawer reminded me of all the summer's and springs I worn them out to a local horse rescue farm - Sunrise Horse Farm - that I volunteer at occasionally in Reedsville, Wisconsin. I recalled all the times I'd been on my knees, pulling out weeds, or walking through the pasture to retrieve the horses.

In addition I remember a white shirt that I had bought specifically for graduation day to wear underneath my white gown, as well as the pair of white flip-flop sandals I'd purchased that same day. Albeit I still wear the sandals - now retired for the winter! - I haven't worn the shirt since, and it now either sits atop my closet shelf, or resides at Bethesda Thrift Shop. I also recall buying a white skirt for that day as well. What a graduation that was, I received a whole new outfit!

Speaking of shoes I also have a pair of "buckle flats" that I purchased during the end-of-the-year presentation my senior class and I had to give at my high school. Those too I still wear, albeit retired for wintertime!

I also have a red, elbow-length sleeve sweater that I wore during some of my graduation pictures, as well as a brown shirt I wore for the others, both of which I still wear today. On a hook on the shadowed back wall of my closet I have three or four dresses that I wore during the numerous banquets I attended that were put on by my high school. These dresses hold special meaning to me because every banquet was special in its own way. One year I remember seeing a girl who wore the same dress as me! But I wasn't one of those girls who got all flustered, in fact, I thought it was funny. One dress in particular - a strapless number I bought from Maurice's - holds special meaning as well, seeing as how I finally braved a strapless dress and pushed aside the fear that it would fall down!

After reading all this, you might be reflecting on your own experiences with your clothes, some of them related to my own, some of them completely different. Perhaps because I'm a girl this blog post has come more easily to me but, I'm sure if they thought enough about it, guys as well could come up with stories behind their clothes. They just might not be elaborate or heart-fell as the stories we girls have!

With that said, the next time you open your closet door, whether it be to change for school, to find something to wear on a date or a day out with your friends, a camping trip, a skiing trip, changing out of your ugly work uniform...or simply searching for your old, stand-by favorite that you love to wear just lounging around the house...look deeper than the fabric, the embellishments and the labels...to the story behind that piece of clothing.

Do you ever wish you had a walk-in closet? I know I do!