Let Me Shop!

It would be nice to live in fashion for once. I see those around me dominating the most recent fashion fad and wonder what it must be like to exist in their world. When you’re driven by an internal compass of aesthetic preference, finding yourself on the outside becomes commonplace. Once in a while though, just once in a while, the universe conspires to highlight your style as the new norm and suddenly you fit. The crowd joins you in your plaid jacket revelry or plain print tees, rarely at the same time but still, it’s a welcome change.

Now that my red and black plaid hoodie has passed its use by date, tattered and worn from a lifetime of use, I long for its return to the top trend realm. Unfortunately, once an item of clothing has practically disintegrated off your body it needs to be discarded and, unless it happens to be in style, you must live without it until it’s time in the spotlight returns to the public arena.

So, until that time when patched hoodies reign supreme once again, I must exist on this plaidless planet reminiscing on old times, memories of the journeys upon which my chequered friend joined me.

Some ten or so years ago, it’s silken lining and warm woollen coat comforted me as I walked onto campus during my first year of university. Was I nervous? Of course, but a little way in I saw another hooded figure who appeared to be as lost as I was. Without a second thought I joined her at the directional signs and bonded over our lack of knowledge about this place. We decided right then and there to make the journey through this urban maze together. She didn’t care about my out of place jacket, or that I had no normal sense of style. The judgment on aesthetic features that ran rampant throughout secondary school seemed all but extinct on campus, no longer a priority amongst the more open minds of growing adults.

Hand in hand we soon engaged with the wider world of university life by joining the social scene of the SFCC (Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Comic-book Club). What can I say, we had a four hour break between classes and I’d heard of Star Wars - that counts. It wasn’t long before I became recognisable amongst the ranks by my red and black chequered jacket. Anyone who knew me could spot me from afar, the only person still holding on to this long forgotten trend.

So many new experiences came for my jacket and I, from the Mafia card game, to Dungeons and Dragons, to campus movie nights. One of the greatest by far was the open world game of assassinate. Every person had a target to ‘take out’ with poison post-it notes, plastic lightsabers, Nerf guns, and whatever else they could think of. And the best part? You could hit your target anywhere. These nerds sure knew how to have fun and I fell right into their world - a perfect fit. There was no denying it, and why would I want to, I was a nerd too. Soon to be one of the biggest. As the group name changed so did its leadership, and my plaid jacket was right there with me when I accepted my new role as UWS Geek Group President.

The near entirety of my university experience took place while wearing that one hoodie. In many ways it was a reflection of my identity at the time and as I explore the harsh new challenges of the real world all I can do is hope for one small daily reminder of what once was. A daily reminder that the return of the red and black plaid jacket might bring.