In my teens, whilst my classmates favoured hot jeans and cute tops, I collected patterned knits, logo jumpers and corduroy trousers from Oxfam. This sounds a pretty cool choice considered in terms of today's zeitgeist but it was more of an accident in 2004, because I was oblivious to being cool. Little did I know that ten years on, my off -centre choices would find their place in a changed style landscape. Statement jumpers are having a moment.
It makes sense then, that seasonal jumpers are also in demand, and they seem to be more sought after then ever this year. However, I have not been able to bring myself to part with any money for a jumper covered in Santa's face, simply because I would feel cheated only wearing it for a maximum of two weeks at the end of December. My sheep sensation however, is wintry but not too seasonally specific. If you invest in one with a more versatile quirk you can wear it all winter long and be the envy of your Reindeer or Elf covered friends.
While we're on the subject of awesome jumpers, I also love my green dog-tooth sweater, from Oxfam originals.
I'm glad I saved my sweater with its sheep trotting happily through a field, but there are other things I wish I'd kept, and didn't, such as a dark brown knit with a big orange flower woven in the centre. I have seen something similar in the resort collections in recent years, but I was clearly ahead of my time because I wore it on non-uniform day at the age of 16 and got bullied for it, while my peers were in their trendy Bench and Hooch tops. What would be cooler now though I wonder...
The moral of the story-there's no need to be a sheep. Embrace your individuality, because you could be quite cool without realizing it ;)
