Once upon a time a long, long while ago there
was a little sitcom called, "Roseanne." While I can't define this
show as one of my favorites, I can give it credit for often
accurately portraying the average American family. One outstanding example of
this can be found in the infamous chicken shirt that was worn by almost every
character on the show. I have always thought the idea of a,
"community," shirt was brilliant because in reality family members share clothing. Interestingly enough, it's often the most ugly, ridiculous,
"comfy," pieces that get passed around. There was more than a few
times, while watching, "Roseanne," I found myself wondering,
"Where can I get one of those chicken shirts?"
Now I state family members share clothing, and my
particular family is no different. Actually, maybe we are because now thinking
about it I can only recall me stealing everyone else's stuff. Thank you Dad for
those amazing Champion sweatpants, (Death to all yoga pants! I want to look
like a member of the Harlem Globetrotters!) Thank you for the vintage biker
belts, and that long 70's corduroy coat. Thank you brother for that splatter print
trucker hat and brown striped sweatband for my wrist, (Is anyone else still
sensing a Globetrotters theme here?) Unfortunately for me there's not a whole
lot of clothing I've been able to steal from my mom due to the fact that she's
a petite 5' 2" beauty that comes from a long line of little Croatian
ladies. I, on the other hand, seem to have favored my father's genes and am an
amazon woman reaching 5' 10" while wearing her stolen Champion sweatpants,
(The Globetrotters dream is seeming more realistic all the time.) All I can say
is while I haven't been able to steal many clothes from mom, due to my hulking
size, I'm seriously thankful to have inherited her Eastern European cheekbones.
I guess I'll take those over a vintage pink mini dress any day. Well, maybe...
One of the few items I have been able to acquire
from mom is a black sweatshirt with the logo, "Wiseguy," written in
purple across the front. For those readers not old enough to remember,
"Wiseguy," was the name of an American drama TV show during the late
80's that revolved around an Italian undercover agent in pursuit of members of
organized crime. Overall, the show was fairly short lived and rather obscure
but leave it to my mom to have the sweatshirt for it! Gotta love that woman.
Much like the chicken shirt in, "Roseanne," my mom's,
"Wiseguy," sweatshirt was bizarre, kinda ugly, and overall funny. Of
course, I had to have it!
Over the years the, "Wiseguy," sweatshirt
became a staple in my lounge wear. Mom referred to it as the shirt I wore when
I was down. I guess it was kind of an emotional crutch for me. Not only was it
comfortable, but it reminded me of mom. I chose to write about the,
"Wiseguy," shirt today because I still stand by the idea that there's
nothing more comforting than a good sweatshirt. Today, "Wiseguy," is
rather old and faded. While I haven't gotten rid of it, I have updated with the
top I'm wearing in the above pictures. I pulled it out of a bin at a local
thrift store and as soon as I laid eyes on it I knew, this is my new emotional
crutch shirt. When I wear it, I am safe.
I guess everybody has their favorite pieces of
clothing. Often times these items are some of the strangest, unremarkable
pieces we own. I feel lucky to have, "inherited," so many of these
things from the people I love most. Sometimes I wonder why they've not tried to
steal my clothes in return. I guess not everyone feels invincible in shoulder
pads and sequins.
-r.
Sweatshirt: Thrifted
Shorts: Thrifted, (Upcycled with homemade patches by me)
Sneakers: New Balance
Purse: Vintage https://www.facebook.com/LostMarblesAntiques/
Necklace: Thrifted
Sunglasses: Kate Spade Saturday
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