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There are some items of clothing that I’ve seen come in and out of the fashion closets I’ve worked in over the past few years that have made me say to a coworker “OMG, I have to buy this when it arrives in stores.”
Seven or eight months ago, that happened with an oversized denim pullover hoodie from Marques Almeida. I tried it on, and after a few yeses from my coworkers, I decided I had to have it. It’s oversized, and its hood, sleeves, and bottom edge are frayed. It’s one of those pieces that I know I could throw on every day this winter if I wanted. I’m kind of a lazy dresser, slash I’m always running late in the morning, so this oversized hoodie would help me just throw on something and run out the door.
When I asked the brand’s PR rep for the retail price, she told me $550. I laughed out loud. I’m not paying $550 for anything denim! I figured I’d just look in thrift stores for a cheaper option. (I’m one of those people who says things like that.) I’ll go to about three or four thrift stores and if I can’t find something similar, I’m over it, and that is exactly what happened.
But then one night as I was cruising SSENSE, I found the jacket on sale for $275. I died because I had just paid rent and had no money, and of course there were only two left. (Other sites still had it listed for $350 — uh, no thanks.) Two weeks ago, though, a friend of mine posted a shot of the hoodie on her Instagram story, which is how I eventually found out that Matches had it listed for $157. I bought it.
What I really love about it is that I can wear it as an actual coat. I wore it the other day with a thermal and a T-shirt layered underneath, and I wasn’t cold. Its also quite the conversation starter.