catapult magazine

Top ten pieces of clothing I’ve had since before college graduation in 2000

by Joy-Elizabeth Lawrence

1. Argyle acrylic socks, purchased at a Catholic thrift store. They are warm and they have no holes, even though I wear them a lot in the winter.
2. White double-knit tennis skirt, also purchased at a thrift store. I wear this in my annual tennis game. It will never wear out.
3. Black long-sleeved t-shirt from a production of Waiting for Godot I participated in.
4. Brown Doc Martens, purchased new my sophomore year of college. I wear them to shovel snow. Buy Doc Martens tight; they loosen up.
5. Black character shoes. I don’t think the soles will make it through another full rehearsal period for a play-they’re paper-thin.
6. Navy blue acrylic cardigan, purchased at the Catholic thrift store with the socks. Even when it is buttoned correctly, it still looks like it’s buttoned wrong.
7. Black Express knit pants I received as a hand-me-down from a friend. I wear these at least twice a week (still) to yoga, under skirts and dresses, and for hanging around in the house. The cost per wear at this point is probably $.000001.
8. Black smock-style blouse with white flowers embroidered on it. This was another thrift-store find.
9. Off-white Ralph Lauren cardigan my sister gave me in tenth grade. My grandmama had given it to her and she thought it was ugly. I’ve since patched elbows with leather and replaced several buttons, but it’s still my favorite cardigan.
10. Kelly green, bell-bottomed trousers with rainbows embroidered up the front of each of the legs. Originally from Sears, I also purchased them at a thrift store. I was wearing them when I met my husband nine years ago. They still fit.