Ever since I was little, my mother repeatedly told me a story about these great pairs of Capezio shoes that her mother bought her when she was little. They were just simple one-dollar ballet flats in mustard yellow, black suede, and petal pink from Filene's Basement. For one reason or another, they meant enough to my mom that to this day she still remembers everything about them. Like an engagement ring, a lanyard anklet, a pair of ratty old converse sneakers or a friendship necklace, those shoes were more than just shoes; they were iconic. Priceless items such as these are what make us individual and beautiful.
Usually when we put these priceless entities onto our bodies, we have a hard time taking them off. They hold more importance than can be inferred from observation and, in a sense, hold a small part of our souls. I set out to discover if there are people, like my mother, who have a symbolic something that has captured their memories and maybe their hearts. On my quest, I discovered a story of a gold ring, a silver chain-link bracelet with Swarovski crystals, a charcoal cable-knit sweater, a purple rubber band and a diamond from an engagement ring strung on a gold necklace — each equally symbolic and personally defining in its own way. Most were gifts from family members or significant others, while the remaining were symbols of friendship and loss.
I, too, have something that, though made of material, holds great significance in my life. It was a gift, however, and was given to me by someone who is neither memorable nor significant. It is personally significant and frustratingly trendy. Two years ago, my history teacher brought back a bag full of thin, colored ribbons from Brazil. After explaining them as "Brazilian wish bracelets," she proceeded to pass them out to those in class who wanted them. Since my grandfather was from Brazil, I figured I could wear it in a somewhat representative fashion. The legend, as she explained it, states that three knots are to be tied and a wish is to be made after each knot. When the bracelet falls off, the wishes are said to come true.
As time went on, my friends proceeded to cut their ribbons off, untie them, or simply slip them off their wrists. For one reason or another, I decided to leave mine on. The twisted, inside-out, black and white, ratty ribbon, although hanging on by only a few threads, still rested solemnly upon my left wrist. Recently, however, I saw a picture of Lindsay Lohan wearing my Brazilian wish bracelet in a magazine. It completely stripped away the symbolic uniqueness that the thin ribbon once held, and in a sense, robbed me of my treasure.
So what is it about these "treasures" that we find so important to our lives? It seems as though people in general place a lot of value on material objects, to the point where they feel as though they've lost their sense of identity if the objects are lost. It is important to remember that our treasures, even if irreplaceable, are simply objects that we can live without. Materialism is a dangerous disease that has engulfed our culture, and I find that sometimes people forget that money does not necessarily buy happiness.
Speaking of happiness, I am sure that a few of you aren't too happy with me right now; considering the fact that I've spent the last two articles focusing on something other than shoes and stockings (which I promise will return soon enough). I thought it important to address a few things first to make you aware of the fact that fashion and style are based on a lot more than just material possessions. I want to stress the importance of having a unique style, and the fact that money in no way makes you more stylish or fashionable — take Paris Hilton for example. So, the next time you slip off your grandma's old gold ring, don't feel as though you're removing a portion of your identity. You make your own style and you hold your own memories, your material possessions just make them more prominent.
Sydney Burdick is a freshman intending to major in fashion journalism. Direct any questions or comments to [email protected].
