Definitive Style: Passage Pieces

Passage Pieces: Those irreplaceable articles of clothing that irrevocably speak, both aesthetically and intrinsically, of not only the peculiar and unadulterated intent of our personal style, but also of the stories that they are a part of and the distinguishing roles they have played in our lives most definitive moments.

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We all have that one piece(s) of clothing (or accessory) that is simply priceless, that no amount of currency, monetary or otherwise, can truly replace. These are not simply our lucky t-shirts or socks, but are rather items that have a much deeper emotional and sentimental connection to both our pure and genuine desires as well as our collective memories. Over time they become a part of our very identity, helping tell a particular story — even a chapter — of our lives. Simply put, they act as life's best-supporting actors to our leading roles.

It comes at no surprise then that these passage pieces are unquestionably emblematic of both our personal style and individual uniqueness, often standing in as nostalgic symbols, constantly reminding us of the role they have played in the important events in our lives that have shaped our core identities. They stylishly, and emotionally, prepare us for any given situation, providing that comfortable and seemingly invincible armour that has, and always will, help get us through the milestone, life-defining moments we all encounter as we navigate through our crazy lives (first dates/weddings/interviews/etc.). They are what we commonly depend(ed) upon, having deliberately chosen or having luckily came upon by pure happenstance, during our most trying and stressful times of need, with their presence paying dividends in the process of defining our characters, our beliefs, and yes, preeminently our style. 

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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."

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But how do you know if you actually have one or how to identity it?

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.

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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!"

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And yet, despite this deeply emotional connection that we all share with our style, some individuals still stereotypically resent what they feel fashion and personal style represents — a jaded and simplistic narcissistic proclivity for attention. But in retrospection, from baby shoes to your wedding suit and everything in-between, nearly every facet of our very life is driven by a distinct dress code that we are then required to personally manipulate (yet still adhere to) in the hopes of filling our lives with personality and a touch of authenticity. Passage pieces do the brunt work of this, colouring our lives proverbial pages with our own characteristically peculiar style choices and the joy, love, and reassurance they provide us with. We all have called upon them in the process of opening up and closing down all of life's doors and the opportunities they present. Think about it for a second and you may realize just how big of an influential role that they hold (or have held) in your life. That power suit that lands you the job, your favourite navy blazer that you were wearing when you met your significant other, that small exotic bracelet bought for you by a beloved one, or that watch passed down through three generations of your family…they all help weave the memorable tales of our collective lives, brightening up every single day we decide to put them on. They unquestionably fill in the blank spaces of our lives that, without them, would be incomplete narratives. 

Family heirlooms and sentimental gifts, personal statement pieces, or just something that is the fashion equivalent of comfort food are all variances of what a passage piece is. They are purposely build to last a lifetime, always waiting in the shadows and constantly ready for duty. Each is a part of our identity, with their own unique individual tales worth expounding upon. The details about them — where or how we found it; what it has been put through or the story behind it; why it is so valuable to us; and what seismic events have transpired when we were wearing it — allow these simple articles of clothing to act, at differing degrees, as encompassing aesthetic representations of not only our personal pasts, triumphs, and future desires, but also as reminders of our sartorial desires and personal style tastes and the way they affect us on a daily basis. They are what we turn to time-and-again, unwaveringly, with the assurance of comfort and belief that one day we can tackle anything knowing that they (literally) have our backs covered, carrying us unscathed through any challenge, thick-or-thin, personally and professionally.

So, whether it is that million dollar (emotionally speaking) statement piece that we call upon in pinch situations, or if its just a small trinket that we hold dear and cannot leave home without everyday, it is safe to say that one thing passage pieces are not is transient. On the contrary, they mean a great deal more, representing more than just a personal uniform and a fleeting moment. And whether overly ostentatious or covertly subtle, you can always find them popping up in the most memorable instances of our lives, usually under the guise of an omnipresent personal necessity.

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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."

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 Narratively fulfilling and deeply ingrained into our being, this innate connection we share with our style is what really attracted me to fashion blogging and personal styling as a whole in the first place. What we wear often represents more than just merely the perceived aesthetics of the clothing itself, or of the pursuit of purely narcissistic fulfillment. For some that may be enough, but for most of us our style's most important function is as a conduit that allows us to share a very personal part of our lives with others that, if they asked about the story behind our clothing choices or even a single distinguishing item, could tell more about us than a google search ever could. And standing at the top of this narrative mountain (sartorially speaking) are passage pieces. They provide each and every one of us with the perfect aesthetic vessels from which we can express ourselves at an innately genuine level, with each owning a little piece of our hearts, personalities, memories, and the accompanying stories that have make our journeys through this world ones worth living (and re-living).

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!

~Lyle Eero~

THINK ABOUT IT:

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…