home is a fur coat

that the vegans loathe

I try it on

in a thrift store’s

fitting room

that looks more

like a dilapidated

Victorian attic

with unfinished business

and sadness

like my ancestors

caught a bear

while our hunting

and I’m

just taking selfies

in the mirror

I see home everywhere

I’m up to my neck

in what’s historical

I didn’t even

hold the pistol

The room had to've turned at least seven shades brighter as I put it on. The sweater was so simple- a thrifted piece, a bit on the larger side, and off-white with blue floral accents near the wrists; at least it appeared simple to anyone else, but to me it was absolutely extravagant. The delicate ultramarine flowers littered the sleeves like fallen stars; the pattern almost mimicking that of the teacups sitting unused in my grandmother's China cabinet. The sleeves weren't itchy and fell right where my palm met my wrist. It never fell apart in the wash, there were no tags, and it was just cool enough to wear in Summer while also being just warm enough to wear through Winter. This sweater had been with me longer than most of my friends, having sat with me through barbeques, parties, midnight crying sessions, all nine hours of my third cousin's wedding, and now on this rainy afternoon in May. As strange as it was to think about, my life story lived woven in this little Goodwill sweater and I don't think I'd have it any other way.

Lucy twirled in her brand new dress, watching the way the skirt swirled around her in the mirror. The dress was a soft, buttery yellow with white polka dots. The skirt went down to her knees, and the straps fit comfortably on her shoulders. Best of all, there was a pink butterfly just above her heart. Lucy’s left pigtail kept sneaking over her shoulder to cover the butterfly, but she didn’t mind. It was like a game of hide-and-seek every time she moved her braid to see the butterfly peeking out. The dress looked perfect with her white sandals. As she admired her reflection, Lucy decided she had never seen someone look so ready for summer.

I have this one piece of clothing, I wear it all the time. It just works, no matter what I feel like it just works.

It’s a short-sleeved black button up shirt with a collar. There’s a pattern on it, small grey squares spaced out about half an inch from each other with light grey dots in between. The fabric is soft, not like a usual collared shirt, and it’s so comfy to wear.

I wear it all the time, In as many ways as I think I can. I wear it over a black pencil skirt dress when I’m feeling feminine. I wear it with some shorts and chain jewelry when I’m feeling masculine. By itself, over a long-sleeved shirt, over a dress, with shorts or pants, skirts, I think I’ve worn it with almost every pair of bottoms I have in my closet.

It just works. It fits well, it makes me feel pretty or handsome, fancy or laidback. It just works for me, no matter what I’m feeling.