My current work clothes. Just wait until Ralph Lauren discovers this look. I’ll be right in style.
Where we left off, my mother had exclaimed how she was never interested in fads or fashion. I don’t remember it as something she intentionally passed on, but there are some things we just pick up.
Today I went shopping. I’ve been selected for jury duty for a long trial and suddenly I’m aware that my wardrobe has become so limited in my years of not needing much. I’m sure my fellow jurors will be noticing.
But first I took a quick inventory of what I do have.
The foundation of my wardrobe is about six pairs of jeans, all the same color, in progressive states of deterioration. All but one (the pair I wear to jury) are frayed at the cuffs.
All are faded, worn, spotted, stained, and some have bits of paint.
These are my “dress jeans.” Eventually they progress to becoming “work clothes” and find themselves in ongoing service in the studio.
I’ve often said, “I have two kinds of clothes, those with paint on them, and those that don’t have paint on them yet!”
Eventually, even the painting pants have to go. They take on a definite “Jackson Pollock” look and some suggest that I could sell them as art.
Imagine my amusement when I went shopping and found jeans on sale uniformly frayed at the bottom. And worn at the thighs. (I won’t even mention the stylish holes, which were more in the women’s section.)
With this head start, I wonder how long it takes these clothes to wear out. And when are they too far gone to still be fashionable? And then would they come back into fashion again?
I confess I am a late adopter. I did buy a blue jean jacket back in the ’80s, just before I noticed nobody was wearing them anymore. But there they were, on sale at Macy’s. I’m glad I kept mine.
Today I was successful. I bought two new pairs of jeans (not frayed), two pairs of shorts and a shirt. While paying, I spotted a nice, plain work shirt, faded and blue. It reminded me of the kind my grandmother slaved over with a washboard and did her best to keep from losing color. On a whim I threw it on the pile.
Then I realized I’d just doubled the cost of my purchase. It was a Ralph Lauren.
Oh well, at least I won’t be thought out of style by my fellow jurors.
Long live late adopters. (Just live long enough.)
PS. Just got a stylish hole in my new Ralph Lauren getting the label off.
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I’ll be speaking this weekend at Capo Beach Church, Saturday evening and three times Sunday. (Good thing I got new jeans.)
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
8:17 am
Fun and funny!
8:41 am
Hilarious! Keep up the “Holy” and “colorful” work! Yes, your jeans would be considered art :-)
8:54 am
How much for the top pair in the photo? The pair with the extra frayed cuffs ? Frameable?
9:31 am
Our culture wants the frayed, tattered worn look of adventure … yet they’d prefer bypassing the adventure part. You’ve got both.
10:42 am
Sign the Jeans and offer them at your next event. Your students might clamor for them!
Jury duty, a definite side road. Are you allowed your sketchbook?
Prayers continually for you and yours.
5:55 pm
precious
10:08 pm
Hi Hyatt Yes you could pay slot for jeans with holes in them!!! Was on a jury two years ago, limited to 3 days Because work does not pay for jury duty. Glad to have gone thru the process and would do it again. Sounds like yours is a BIT longer!! Love your sense of humor ! Debbie
8:31 am
It is always a treat when you speak at our church! See you then. Have a good time on the jury, that can be extremely interesting.
Also, please continue the updates on Allison’s husband, Vernon.
11:00 pm
love it! be sure to link your talk! will you be videotaped so we can see the style-conscious cool cat?
1:29 pm
Been following all those accounts of your mom, and now we know why you fit in the category of “easy to know and love.” It’s so great to have those reminders of that precious lady! Thank you!
2:36 pm
How about auctioning these? I’ll start at $20.00. Did you hear how much Bob Dylan’s notes went for?