Monday, October 19, 2009

So Long Kappa T-Shirts



When I was in high school, I remember being at the gym and seeing a woman a couple of rows in front of me working hard on the stairmaster.  Being that I was on treadmill and had nothing better to do (reason number 540 I hate treadmills), I got to reading the back of her t-shirt.  "Tri Delt Crush Party."  Oh cool, she's in a sorority, I thought to myself.  At that time I was preparing for recruitment at OU with nothing but sorority on the brain.  I took a closer look at her shirt.  Wait...does that say...it can't...it does...1994!  Tri Delt Crush Party 1994?!  Lady, it's 2002!  I shook my head, living the past lady, living.in.the.past.

Fast forward seven years to nowadays and I'm at the rec center for my 6:30 am cardio class.  I'm groggy, my eyes are half closed, but as I wait for the step instructor, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.  I zoom in on my t-shirt.  Wait...omg...it can't be...it is.  There in pink and brown letters my t-shirt reads "Kappa Pledge Class 2002."  Omg, no, seriously, has it really been that long?  I have been out of college for three years?!  Then I freeze, remembering the lady from the gym in high school.  OMG, I am that lady, the "Tri Delt Crush Party 1994" lady!  Soon the music is pumping and the tiny blonde cardio instructor is peppily stepping.  I follow along, distracted by my has-been Kappa shirt the rest of the work out.  As I head home, it hits me.  I don't want to be that person who looks like they're living the past, embracing the glory days.  (Note: while I LOVED college, I don't consider them my "glory days."  I hope that I never consider any time in my life as such.)  While I had stopped wearing the daily uniform of a Kappa t-shirt and jeans in college, I sighed, realizing its time to pack away the Kappa shirts for good.  It is time to find a real-person, grown up version of the t-shirt.

That weekend, after sorting through my collection of date party, function, homecoming, and rush shirts, keeping, folding, and storing my favorites, while getting rid of the rest, I began my hunt for the perfect grown up version of the t-shirt.  You know, the shirt you can wear on a lazy Saturday while running errands or the shirt you can wear if you're having a movie night with friends.  The criteria for this t-shirt are harsh.  It has to be somewhat fitted, but still loose enough to feel comfy.  It has to thin, but not too thin, and without question, must have a v-neck.  I thought my search would take a few months, but after just a week, I found a winner!  So thanks to The Gap, I have now replaced my Kappa t-shirts with the perfect grown up t-shirt.  But don't be confused, my OU spirit, old Kappa pictures and obsession with fleur-de-lis aren't going anywhere.  I don't need to grow up that much :)

 
Out with the old shirt...


...and in with the new.

6 comments:

Jacci said...

This post cracked me up. Once we got pregnant I decided it was REALLY time to put them away. Especially the one that said "Make way for the bad girls". Geez. I kept a few out to wear as pajamas but that's it. Made me sad but you DEFINITELY don't wanna be the mom the college girls are rolling their eyes at!

Kelsey said...

It was like literally painful, but I've done this too! I use my all-time faves as sleep shirts now. Hilarious post!

Kelsey said...

Oh my gosh It was literally painful to do this, but I did this too! I kept a few all-time faves as sleep shirts. Funny post, Sista!

Taylor-Made Wife said...

Hi there! I actually stumbled across your blog from Nick and Kelly's blog (Your blog name caught my attention). At the risk of sounding like a stalker, I totally feel you on the old college/sorority shirts. Soemthing I plan on doing that you may or may not care to hear is turning all of mine into a quilt. I figure it isn't really living in the past, but its a fun keepsake and I don't fret about all that money I (or my parents) wasted on shirts. I think I am going to do the same thing with my husband's old soccer jerseys, just to make room in his drawers. Cute blog! I think I'll follow :)

Ann Marie Johnson Designs said...

Natually, I had to comment on this posting. I love your blog friend! How on earth do you have time? I'm working on the blog... I have one anyway.

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