Goodbye, step-hem joggers; and thank you

Being someone who likes most things deconstructed or dystopian, I liked step-hem pants when they burst onto the scene. I finally bought a pair from H&M, and they even had an interesting quote on them

stay on the edge

so I had to have them. That quote kind of symbolizes how I believe one should live life.

It used to mean that I kept pushing the edge of the envelope, living to the extreme. I was always searching for a more ecstatic happy feeling; a more passionate romantic relationship; and a deeper, darker sadness. I even looked for an angrier rage.

Now that I'm clean (sober), it means something entirely different. Now I want to live life out loud, always pushing for more personal and spiritual growth. I want to keep pushing myself to learn new skills, to live more simply and intentionally, and build relationships with people that are built on a deep connection to each other.

These pants kind of summed that up. They were comfortable, yet they were not your usual sweatpants that one wears to slum around the house. The step-hem was repeated in the waistband, the rear (fake) pockets, and even in the way the graphic was integrated into the leg. They were a little bit off, which is how I generally like things: asymmetrical, off kilter, things that challenge perception.

Unfortunately, step-hem joggers, I shrunk you in the laundry. I mistook you for a pair of Sunshine's lounge pants and tossed you in the dryer. I don't have the skillset to wet you, stretch you, and block you to make your legs long enough (without warping your shape). So thank you, step-hem joggers, for keeping me comfortable and inspiring me to stay on the edge.

1
2
3
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

11 Comments

  • Elizabeth P replied 6 years ago

    What a graceful way to say good bye to a loved piece of clothing!  Great story.

  • Stagiaire Fash replied 6 years ago

    So many people have screenprints of trite sayings and words as decorations, because there isn’t really anything they want to say or remind themselves of. You could make (or have made) something with that phrase that actually means something to you on it, or even turn that leg into a bolster pillow.

  • cindysmith replied 6 years ago

    Fashiontern, that's freaking brilliant! And I know someone(s) who can do it for me, so I'm going to make it happen!

  • Stagiaire Fash replied 6 years ago

    Pillow or wall hanging? Either way, you must show us a picture of the final product in your new house.

  • cindysmith replied 6 years ago

    I'm thinking pillow, something I can hug <3

  • LaPed replied 6 years ago

    Aw, what a lovely memorial. I've definitely felt this way about a few pairs of pants over the years. So hard to say goodby. Love the idea of a bolster pillow!

  • chirico (Chiara) replied 6 years ago

    Love your story. The pillow idea is brilliant!

  • Joy replied 6 years ago

    If you can hang those pants while wet and weight the legs, you may be able to wear them. Usually these shrink most in length. I use clip-on pant or suit haners upside down and hang something heavy like several heavy wooden hangers from the suit hanger. I hope that makes sense. A pillow is also a great idea, and the slogan with permanent marker on a sweatshirt..

  • cindysmith replied 6 years ago

    Joy, that actually made perfect sense. I think im going to go ahead sith the pillow plan, as i seem to be extra hard on clothes and theyll likely get ruined again soon after i stretch them ;-)

  • Stagiaire Fash replied 6 years ago

    Joy, I might use your idea for weights on other clothing—glad you posted it!

  • karen13 replied 6 years ago

    Cindy, that is the best eulogy! Fashintern - I love the pillow idea. I need to do something like that with favorite old t-shirts, or maybe a lap quilt.

You need to be logged in to comment