Style: May I have a word?

After a night out, when I surveyed our always eye-catching neighbours, I wanted to write about words on clothing, or a few words, anyway. I wore a sweater by Sandro, with "Dream" embroidered in tiny pearls, a gift from a friend knows my taste. 

"Dream" is a state I wholly endorse as both verb and noun— but what other words would I wear? Not the name of a brand, yet when I saw this young woman on her break, her arms covering the "Adidas" on the front, her hat covered in runes, I was still charmed.

 

The personal political

You could wear a button, but a top is a more assertive. Lingua Franca's work always features tart injunctions; the entire range of their hand-embroidered sweaters range from subtle to tart, and they will also custom-embroider. 

Photos: Lingua Franca, NYC

If  you know the basic backstitch, you could do it yourself—here's a tidy tutorial—and a word or two is not an onerous project.

About time

I have long been tempted by this Bella Freud sweater; her line lis like a notepad of  intelligent afterthoughts. As she says about the "1970" sweater, she saw the date on one of her documents and liked its look. 

For me, 1970 represents the year I immigrated to Canada, for someone else it might be the year the Beatles broke up.  

Photo: Bella Freud

This is the classic merino model (price, £389) slim-fitting; it's also made in a more relaxed mohair model, in more colours. The "1970" would be a consignment holy grail.

Showing up

The blogger and writer Alyson  Walsh (That's Not My Age) takes cheeky aim at ageist tropes and designs a mean sweatshirt to boot. I like the cut and colour of the sweatshirt she offers in collaboration with Dandy Star. Price, $CAD 131.

Photo: Dandy Star

Check the site for other TNMA statement tees and tops. 

 

Sweat the small stuff

Yes, there is also mom and dad, but the tyke's sweatshirt made me smile, and it's a gender-neutral French blue. Price, $CAD 62.

Photo: Province of Canada

From Province of Canada, designed and made in Canada.

Buttered up

"Beurre" on this Jumper1234 merino crewneck (made in both men's and women's cuts) refers to a much-loved Edinburgh Butter Company, but if not s/o in my size, I'd wear it as an homage to one of my favourite foods. It's often sold out, so there must be many lavish spreaders out there. From Jumper1234; price, $CAD 263.

Yes, please

Hansel of Basel makes gorgeous socks, and these metallic "Oui/Non" crews combine sparkle with good-natured ambivalence. I liked that "oui" is open to all eyes but "non" takes a deliberate sole-search.

Why do we chose a word to precede us into the world? Is it to express our beliefs or passions? What words do you wear, and what do they mean to you?