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Patterns Have Meaning
It may be abnormal to gush about textiles, but fabrics have meaning to me. Their patterns and textures bring back memories, the way certain smells do for other people. The scent of rose water might remind some people of grandma’s house, but when I think of my mom’s mother, I see her blue-jean quilts tacked with red yarn. Back in Tennessee we never said “jeans,” we always said “blue-jeans.”
For the wintertime, I love red plaid.
It is one of my favorite fabrics/patterns of the season. Its popularity makes it easy to find in a wide range of products and prices. From lofty designer purses to lowly coffee mugs, the checked, or striped, cheerful pattern resonates with people of all types and ages.
In my opinion Pendleton red plaid, and Woolrich red buffalo check are the most iconic. They evoke visions of brawny lumberjacks, sherpa-lined overcoats, and ski lodge blankets made of wool.
Tartan plaid is beautiful too. I have four girls, and every year when they were little, at least one of them had a tartan plaid Scotty dog dress. The bright red color with the thin and thick stripes is friendly and happy. You can put it anywhere to add a pop of warmth and color to an otherwise dreary, winter atmosphere.
Years ago, my husband had this stripey-plaid flannel over shirt. It’s funny how I can write “years ago,” nowadays. Now that I am 48, I like to tell my kids that I have shoes older than them. Anyway, he used to wear it when he raked leaves, or went out early on cold Saturday mornings. He would come inside, smelling like the damp outdoors, but he was warm and snuggly feeling when I hugged him. Plaid and flannel are great when they are married to each other.
I kind of forgot about his flannel over shirt that I loved so much, until we found it in the trunk of one of our old cars. It was beyond redemption, but it inspired me to buy him a new one this past Christmas.
I couldn’t find a nice, lined red one, so I bought a green and red one lined with gray sherpa, made by Field and Stream. Maybe the change from red to red and green is a signal for a new era in our lives. I sure hope so.
Heavyweight Flannel Shirt Jacket
my husband’s new plaid over shirt.
So far this year, I bought a buffalo checked, fur-trimmed pillow for my bed, a red tartan dog bed for our new puppy, and red -checked flannel shirts for nearly everyone.
For Christmas I received a pinky-red and blue striped plaid travel mug from Dunkin’ Donuts (my favorite coffee shop), a red plaid blanket scarf, a buffalo plaid boyfriend shirt from Old Navy, sleep pants from Walmart, and best of all, a red plaid Kate Spade purse from my husband.
There will always be popular patterns and fabrics for every season. My advice is to embrace and enjoy them this winter, and every season thereafter. Whether it’s wide-wale corduroy, a fisherman’s sweater, or cashmere that you like, buy and wear the things that create memories and make you smile.
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