It's a Jacket

Whenever I am out wandering department stores, boutiques, malls; whether it is by myself or with my sister and daughter; I stop and admire jackets. Fall, winter, spring, even summer. It’s my thing. Of course, this has become a family joke. “Look – It’s a JAAAAACKET” I love the whole premise of the word “Jacket”. Derived from Old French- jaquet: short jacket -short coat, one that is hip-length and has a front opening and sleeves. But other definitions strike me as perhaps there is more to the covering than the intended purpose, and possibly there is more behind why I love Jackets.
More definitions:
A life jacket: something that resembles this or is designed to be worn around the upper part of the body: meaning protection, safety security.
An exterior covering or casing, such as the insulating cover of a boiler: functional, purposeful.
Skin of a baked potato- natural, part of existence.
Metal casing used in certain types of ammunition – A shell to encase power.
Sleeve a cover to protect a gramophone record – preserving a memory.
Folder or envelope to hold documents- protecting information.

So, thinking about these things has led me to realize that there is way more to my closetful of jackets. I am, of course, all those things defined above. I am always seeking safety, security, a functional yet purposeful life. A natural existence. I guard the power of my emotions within, and also very protective and diligent about keeping my past with me.

My jackets have changed over the years as fashion trends come and go. A child of the 70’s; I was one of the multitudes of “working girl” masses that entered the work force in the 80’s. As a retail chick working in the mall, I sold newly empowered women those Power Suits complete with shoulder pads. Even the blouses under the suit jacket came equipped with shoulder pads. It seemed like working women had evolved into linebackers ready to take on the world. Personally, I never really reached that tier of needing an everyday power suit ensemble; but I had at least two or three that I wore – on occasion. I marveled at how the 80’s transformed into the hot suits of the 90’s – Ally McBeal style. Now, not only did women need the power suit jacket, they needed the micro mini skirt and legs to pull off the charade of making it in the working world. That really was ridiculous. Will my daughter have to endure a female dress code manifesto? On a recent trip to the mall, I’m not too sure. Tank tops, leggings, low rise jeans. No jackets. The kids just are; open, free, exposed. It’s different now.

But as my working world adapted to more casual dress, I too left the constraints of the suit-straight jacket to more casual jackets. In fact, I’ve evolved to the sweater jacket. It’s softer, looser, comforting. I think it reflects how I feel about life. What’s next for me? The cardigan sweater. I’m sure that’s coming. “Look mother- it’s a lovely pink cardigan.”