Sweater Weather
Me in front of a glacier in New Zealand, 1996
“So let me hold both your hands in the holes of my sweater
I'm just living my life, I'm just living my life
For you here and now, so let me hold both your hands in the holes of my sweater
Nothing's what it seems, got a pocketful of dreams
In a world about to freeze, so enjoy the warm breeze
I'm just living my life, I'm just living my life”
-Ivan B, “Sweaters”
Boy, was I living my life!
Let me take you to Australia/New Zealand, the year is 1996. It was my term abroad at William Smith College, studying Biology at University of Queensland (“Uni”) in Brisbane, Australia. Ten weeks of study at Uni, with weeks traveling to the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, the Rainforest, and Stradbroke Island off the coast of Brisbane. Time of my life.
I traveled light, carefully choosing what clothing to bring and to not overpack. I brought one sweater. One sweater for 4 months. It was Spring turning to Summer there, so it was all I needed. (Incidentally I did need to buy all new pants because I drank A LOT and ate 5 meals a day but that is a blog for another day).
This sweater! The versatility! From “The Limited”, an oatmeal-colored cardigan with a zip front. Acrylic blend. Looked great with everything. I especially loved it paired with overalls, though it looked good with a dress too! The good ‘ol days.
My friend Liz and I at the campfire in the Outback!
Now, 1996 was a LONG time ago. 26 years ago. Back then, we didn’t hold on to clothes-plus I had really worn that sweater to the max, basically living in it for all those months and then the remainder of my senior year in college.
Me with my Aunt Neda (my Dad’s sister!) when I visited Port Kembla, NSW
Fast forward to 2022. I found the exact sweater at the thrift store. Size Medium, in perfect condition.
This is why I love thrifting and going to the flea market. Sometimes it takes you down memory lane. Sometimes something comes around again that you wish you never gave up. Sometimes something that was so expensive in its day can be found in the same exact condition so many years later for a fraction of the price. If you love old things, that have done some living, that have been loved, if you love not having the same made in China crap that everyone else has from Marshalls, thrifting is the way.
Thank you to all the humans out there that have taken such good care of treasures from the past and then sent them out to the world for me to find. You toss it and leave it, and I pull up quick to retrieve it.
Happy Hunting! -Soflea
