How our We The Free label and memory go hand in hand.
From our Senior Store Brand Leader, Niree Arslanian.
I’ve worked in retail for quite some time now, so perhaps it’s only fitting that I realize how clothes directly reflect the real ME. When I love my outfit and feel confident in what I’m wearing, I consider those to be great days. It doesn’t matter what I do or how hard of a day it might have been. If I know I look good, I feel good. And vice-versa.
As an FP employee for many years, the amount of clothes I’ve accumulated...well, let’s just say I could single-handedly outfit a small city. Do I know everything I have in my closet? Nope. But what I do know — there are certain items in there that will stay with me forever. It doesn’t matter if they don’t quite fit the way they used to. If I can remember a great experience while wearing a particular piece of clothing, I won’t get rid of it. Like a treasured pullover sweater or pair of elastic waistband jeans (my favorite), or pointy boots. Though in most cases, that outfit includes We The Free flare denim. Like during the summer — it’s all about a We The Free short paired with a graphic tee and boots. This is when I am my most confident Niree self. It’s my “I am woman, hear me roar" vibe. Which is kind of befitting, given that the label prides itself on storytelling through its use of classic fabrications and details, though designed with more modern silhouettes/outfitting in mind.
I met a customer, Anna (who I now call a close friend), when I was wearing my Super Flares. The first time I met my customer Sylvanna’s 6-month-old little boy, Simon, I was wearing a We The Free graphic t-shirt with an eagle on it. Simon is now 6 years old and loves playing soccer. The first time I went on a dinner date with my now husband, I was wearing a We The Free white denim jacket that I spilled soy sauce on. The day my 5-year-old nephew was born, I wore a blue We The Free zip-up hoodie that he drooled on — it was the best drool ever. The first time my nephew said my name, I was wearing a We The Free henley in a light green color.
I’ve worked in retail for quite some time now, so perhaps it’s only fitting that I realize how clothes directly reflect the real ME. When I love my outfit and feel confident in what I’m wearing, I consider those to be great days. It doesn’t matter what I do or how hard of a day it might have been. If I know I look good, I feel good. And vice-versa.
As an FP employee for many years, the amount of clothes I’ve accumulated...well, let’s just say I could single-handedly outfit a small city. Do I know everything I have in my closet? Nope. But what I do know — there are certain items in there that will stay with me forever. It doesn’t matter if they don’t quite fit the way they used to. If I can remember a great experience while wearing a particular piece of clothing, I won’t get rid of it. Like a treasured pullover sweater or pair of elastic waistband jeans (my favorite), or pointy boots. Though in most cases, that outfit includes We The Free flare denim. Like during the summer — it’s all about a We The Free short paired with a graphic tee and boots. This is when I am my most confident Niree self. It’s my “I am woman, hear me roar" vibe. Which is kind of befitting, given that the label prides itself on storytelling through its use of classic fabrications and details, though designed with more modern silhouettes/outfitting in mind.
I met a customer, Anna (who I now call a close friend), when I was wearing my Super Flares. The first time I met my customer Sylvanna’s 6-month-old little boy, Simon, I was wearing a We The Free graphic t-shirt with an eagle on it. Simon is now 6 years old and loves playing soccer. The first time I went on a dinner date with my now husband, I was wearing a We The Free white denim jacket that I spilled soy sauce on. The day my 5-year-old nephew was born, I wore a blue We The Free zip-up hoodie that he drooled on — it was the best drool ever. The first time my nephew said my name, I was wearing a We The Free henley in a light green color.
"
I relate the clothing to the experience because of the impact it had on me, ingrained forever in my memory. From the colors, to the texture, to the style, each piece becomes an integral part of that experience."
So much has happened over the past two years. Which, in some respect, has given me even more validation to hold onto any tangible item to which I associate a happy memory. I can’t possibly toss something that created so much joy for me; it’s as though I would be tossing away the experience itself. It might seem silly to some, but for me, it’s the reason why I smile every time I get dressed.
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