My #1 (Topman Cotton-Linen Blend Sportcoat) "This was not only the first purposeful and calculated style purchase I ever made, but is also a distinguishing piece, characteristically speaking, of my own personally curated style collection and identity; I routinely turn to it in the summer months and it holds many cherished memories within its threads, having added personality and comfort to many of my life's best moments." |
For starters, some are simply family heirlooms passed down from your fathers and grandfathers, carrying generations of history and memories with them. Other times we actively seek out specific items (endlessly looking for that perfect garment) that we strongly believe will have a lasting impression and a special significance on us. But, more often than not, we just luckily chance upon one just knowing that — without hesitation or via a strong gut feeling — that it has a lot in store for us, calling out to us with the promise of having its own story laying dormant within its every fabric and thread, waiting for us to unravel and experience in our own unique ways.
To that affect, they are what make our individual style truly ours and ours only. And it is because of these routinely so called materialistic possessions that I (and you should as well) put such a high value on actively seeking out, discovering, and refining your own personal style. Clothes are really never just clothes and it does matter what we choose to wear, whether we believe it or think we put much effort into it or not (we all do, on different levels). Our clothing, with these particular passage pieces in mind, naturally reflect and project our history and personality for the onlooking world to pass judgement upon while also resonating strongly with us on a personal level. They speak to us on a very deeply sentimental level which allows us to use them to communicate nonverbally to the world as a representation of who we are, what we value, of our future aspirations, and lastly of the stories of our pasts. Their simple presence, combined with our actions, help weave our lives unique stories.
My #2: (Frank & Oak Slim White Denim) "These white jeans represent my own form of style comfort food—I wear these feeling as though I can conquer the world. Sentimentally irreplaceable, they are also responsible for essentially opening up my view to an entire new (yet still personally subtle, refined & classic) world of style. I was much bolder, confident, and calculated in my choices after these stormed into my life!" |
My #3: (Ray--Ban Clubmasters) "I've ALWAYS wanted Ray-Ban Clubmasters and recently found myself a proud owner of a pair. And while they may be new, I'm confident they will be, henceforth, an accompaniment to many lasting memories. They were an item that I always knew I would someday acquire and will also hopefully one day be an heirloom item that I can pass down to a loved one or a son." |
In essence, the purpose behind this post was a simple one: I wanted to identify, define, and then share the message of the importance that passage pieces, including my own, play in all our lives during our daily grinds. The three choices that I have presented not only represent a basic definition of my own style identity (I'm big into anything nautical, with stripes and classically timeless), but also each resonate with me differently on both a uniquely sentimental and sartorial level.
Nostalgia, safety, celebration, reflection and remembrance, moments of pure joy and elation, all of these emotions and the accompanying memories are written into the very fabric of these special articles of clothing. They literally carry and convey our life stories on their actual sleeves, filling in the small little details — that without their existence — would not allow us be who we truly are!
What are the passage pieces in your collection? Why are they so important? Feel free to chime in and share your own and why they resonate so strongly with you because I would love to hear…