We’ve Got That Ring Of Confidence!

voltee ♦ December 30, 2010 ♦ 5 Comments

Item: Sweater Cape Color/Fabric: Black, acrylic/nylon Designer: Erin Fetherston For Target Years Owned: 2.5

Tonight I am showcasing a strange little thing. It is a cape-ish item that looks to be hand knit but is, in fact, not. This is something that I found at Target, and got very excited about because it was a part of Erin Fetherston’s collection for Target, and Erin Fetherston is a Very Big Designer.
Now, I will admit that I have bought things I did not need/not sure if I even wanted/was confused as to what the piece actually was/ was maybe even physically repulsed by just because of an important sounding label inside.
It’s never a good idea. Label excitement often leads to poor judgement.
Hence, a cape. I don’t hate it, exactly. I want to like it. I’m just a little confused by it.
Therefore, I have only worn this once. And to work at Next Boutique, of all places. Not like, a cotillion, or a to knitting festival or any where you might expect to see a cape-ish item.
No. Next Boutique.
I think that this was a time when I was feeling very free about my fashion choices. I had decided that it was good, nay, awesome, if all the girls who worked there had their own unique fashion aesthetic.
And so I thought; Well, how about a cape today?
Why-ever not??? I answered myself.
I paired this with a pale pink long sleeved drapey tee-shirt and jeans.
I liked my look. I strutted into the boutique all “Hells yeah, I am rocking a cape!”
And my manager Carissa looked at me and I saw a quizzical look pass over her face and disappear.
My cape-confidence meter began a slow but steady descent.
By mid-day I began pausing in front of mirrors, searching for affirmation that would never come.
About an hour later I began avoiding eye contact with any reflected image of myself.
And an hour after that I started wondering if I could just take it off and stuff it into my bag as though the cape had never happened. Like perhaps there was chance that no one really noticed that I was wearing a fake hand made sweater cape.
I ended up toughing it out for the remainder of the day, and went home and removed the cape. I buried it deep in my closet, where it has not seen the light of day until this evening.
What is this thing for? Can it be worn in the real world and not look silly? Is it for throwing on top of pajamas when you feel a bit chilly? Is it to save for special occasions where you wear a short sleeved something and need a little cover up? I just don’t get it.
The most embarrassing part, dear reader, is that this is not the only cape I own. I have three others. Three!
One is also a sweater cape. It is a little thicker and covers most of the torso. But I have never worn it.
One is more diaphanous and scarf like. This one is many colored, and I have actually worn it.
The last is orange plaid wool, and meant to be outerwear. I really like it, but have never worn it. My mom gave it to me, and I had grand visions of wearing it with a cream turtle neck sweater and big brown leather boots and taking a trio of great danes for a walk in Central Park.
But unfortunately that hasn’t happened yet, and I just can’t think of another scenario in which to wear it.
Back to my featured cape- it’s really sort of…sweet. Maybe it’s more of a shawl and less of a cape. Whatever you want to call it, I really would like to know your thoughts.

**I have moved this to the costume closet, but wondering if it should stay. Unsure…