Target: Keeping me warm around the world

I’ve never been much of a shopper, but there have been things every now and then that I’ve just ‘had to have’. I remember desperately wanting a pair of Doc Martin boots when I was in high school and I bought them even though they were too small. I don’t think I ever wore them. Then there was this gorgeous pair of 70s-style flares I saw in a shop when I was in college. I dreamed about them and wanted them so badly. I eventually got them for a birthday and they only fit for a year or so. I held onto to them well after a growth spurt stopped them going over my thighs. I remember the feeling of wanting them so badly and being so happy when I had them. But I don’t remember actually wearing them, although I know I did.

As part of the “if it’s sunny when I’m not working I will go hiking” deal I made with myself, I found myself climbing Grisedale Pike in England’s Lake District on Thursday. When I neared the summit the wind picked up. I pulled my polar fleece out of my backpack. As I tried to zip it up I noticed the little pin that slips into the little box so you can zip it up was struggling to work and looked like it was about the break. “Damn,” I thought. “I’ve had this for ages.”

I don’t make that statement lightly. This jumper has had a pretty decent life, and it hasn’t just sat at the back of my wardrobe. At the top of that fell I thought about just how much use I’ve got out of this $30 jumper.

Unlike the boots or the flares I felt would change my life, this jumper was such a mundane, routine purchase. I can’t quite remember when I bought it. I was buying some gym gear at Target while I was at university. If I was to guess, I reckon it was in my third year so that puts it in 2004 – eight years ago. It was just meant to be something cheap I could put on after going to the gym, but it’s turned out to be the most well-travelled item I own.

When I realised the zipper was on its last legs I felt a little sad. I’ve become very attached to this rather bland item of clothing – more so than any ‘must-have’ item I’ve ever bought. Curious to see just how far it’s travelled, I started trolling through my photos.

It’s first overseas trip was to China at the end of 2006:

About 18-months later it came to New Zealand. Here we are in January 2008 visiting my favourite vineyard:

It isn’t just for travelling. Champagne on the morning of my friend Lauren’s wedding in April 2010:

Naturally, when I packed for my big overseas adventure, it was in there. Here it is in Spain in July 2011:

Helping my survive the winds on the Northern Irish coast:

And the spray at Niagara Falls:

And just last week hiking in England’s Lake District:

So it’s fair to say my grey jumper has covered some miles. It also went to Japan in 2008 and Vietnam in 2009 but I don’t have any photos in it. Plus it was pretty hot on both trips so it didn’t get much use. I’ve worn it to work. It’s had endless visits to the gym. It’s worn to the pub, when I’m lounging at home and even more so now since it’s one of only two jumpers I have. It is by far the most worn piece of clothing I own and it’s still kicking on. The zipper is getting worn, but it’s not ready for the Vinnies bin just yet.

Does this seem like a random thing to write about? Of course. So what’s the point of all of this? Personally, I like the fact this jacket is one of the few constants in my life since I was 19. Eight years ago I was in my second year of university dreaming of being a journalist and travelling the world. I think those flares were still in my wardrobe. Since then I’ve got and left the job I always wanted, travelled to places I never thought I’d go, bought a house, moved to the other side of the world and seen some amazing things. Yet despite all of that I still like this little grey jumper.

And it still fits!

I never bought another pair of Doc Martins.