People and Clothes; A Theory

Last year I was standing in line at the gas station, when a theory hit me full force. The concept is simple; people are like clothes. It almost seems too simple, doesn't it? Let me explain here. Every person in the world has an equal in the clothing world. Have you ever met someone who just didn't seem to fit into your life? That's because we live our lives like we buy our clothes, and some people have no place in our closets.

One of my ex-boyfriends was a guy I knew for over a decade, and my definitive crush in high school. I wanted him more than I wanted any other man, and I watched as he chose everyone but me. We finally did start dating as adults, and when it didn't work out, I realized it was because he had no place in my life. He was like the leopard print coat that I coveted as a teenager. I bought one as an adult, wore it twice, and gave it away. The things we want when we're kids, aren't the things we can use as adults.

Another one of my ex's, I exactly equal to those expensive leather pants; I know they aren't going to fit, I know they aren't my style, but I just can't resist them.

Then there's the people whose clothing equivalent is something that we only use a few times a year. The friend who lives in another city, is the pair of knee high leather boots that only come out for special occasions, but you never stop loving them . There's also the old standby people; the people you've known so long that you could never get rid of them. They are like the pair of shoes that you wear with everything, and you'll always have.

And we all have our favorite pair of blue jeans. That one person who makes you feel comfortable and relaxed no matter what. You might forget they're there, but once you put them back on, they go right back into rotation.

I think that every person we meet, or ever have in our life, can be traced back to an article of clothing we already own. There are the socks that seem to disappear without reason; the trendy pieces that look good for awhile, but end up in the box for Goodwill; the ones we keep from childhood for sentimental reasons, but that we'll never wear again; classic pieces that we'll wear forever; and those items that get rotated in and out of our wardrobe forever.

Maybe that's how we should start living our lives, by evaluating a person ever time we meet them. When we meet someone new, we should try to discover their wardrobe equivalent and then determine if there's a place for them. Those hot pink heels look great now, but how will they look in 5 or 10 years? Those 5 inch stilettos are hot, but how much will we actually wear them?

The best people, are the people whose clothing equivalent bring you joy and make you feel comfortable, be it for now or forever.