A Death in the Wardrobe

I was in the bedroom this afternoon when I heard the news.*

“What are you wearing tonight Babe?” said my fiancée.
“I dunno, I guess my light blue shirt.” I said, defaulting to what I felt was my most comfortable, timelessly fashionable, effortless and favourite shirt.
As the steam from the iron curled around her, a pained look crossed her face.“I was hoping we wouldn’t have to talk about that today.”
"Why?" I said innocently, like a child who has noticed of late that Rex has lost that spring in his step. That Mittens isn't eating her kibble anymore.
"Go look at the collar," she said gravely.

I fetched the shirt from the living room chair where I'd thrown it a few days earlier. Alas, it was true; my favourite shirt is worn well past its prime. The collar and left sleeve are starting to fray, and both elbows are thinned out to the point that they’ll soon cash it in. The end of an era.




A History of Losing My Shirt.

Everybody has that favourite article of clothing that they rely on for almost any occasion. The one that nets all the compliments. The one that makes them look good, feel casual and dressed up at the same time, and most importantly inspires confidence. I’ve felt a certain affinity for so many pairs of shoes, jackets and shirts over the years, and it never stops surprising me how pained I am when I have to admit that they are worn out. Among those that I miss dearly, and hope to be reunited with someday in Asgard: my Stone Temple Pilots t-shirt, my square-toed shoes from Brown's, that one black shirt, and the legendary Patch Brown shirt which I slept in on a train crossing Russia and accompanied me on many other adventures.

NYNE Lives

The light blue shirt which has passed into history was made by NYNE, an acronym for “New You, New Energy.” NYNE makes the best looking, best fitting shirts I’ve ever owned, hands down. I can’t tell you how many compliments I’ve received on these shirts - the light blue one especially. I have the same basic shirt in four colours, which I purchased about three years ago. For some reason, the Bay stopped carrying the brand, and NYNE is no longer available anywhere in Manitoba. To add to my frustration, they cannot be ordered online.
















The shirt and I in better times. Varadero, Cuba


Tonight, go to bed wearing the shirt you love the most. Wear it to work a little rumpled tomorrow. Your clothing's life-cycle is shorter than you think.

Light Blue is predeceased by STP, Alice, Charcoal, and Patch Brown; and survived by his brothers, Pinko, Chocolate, and Gunmetal.



In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the League of Canadian Tailors.

-J


*To be read in the voice of Daniel Stern from The Wonder Years.