The New Vest

Creed had one request when it came time for school pictures this year. “Please, Mom, don’t make me wear a sweater vest. They just aren’t cool.”

Okay, so last year I dressed him in a sweater vest. He looked adorable. He didn’t mind.

This year I told him not to worry ... one sweater vest picture was enough.

Yet, he was curious to know when his younger brother would be required to have his sweater vest picture taken. After all, if he has one then his brother should as well.

Sounds reasonable ... but this wasn’t Heath’s year either. He didn’t seem to be in a sweater vest mood either.

As for their mother, I have two — both are black and one has a hoodie on it. It is definitely my favorite.

The boys are more argyle in nature.

When I walked into class the other day, I noticed a male student of twenty-something age wearing a sweater vest. The other males in the class admit they won’t don the apparel, but admitted that their classmate, Micah, seemed to be “pulling it off.” His response, “Every day is better when you wear a sweater vest.”

For him, it is a boost of confidence, a symbol of power and prestige.

As I looked over Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar stadium Saturday, a sweater vest caught my eye amidst the sea of blue and gold. It was worn by none other than Bill Stewart. I sent a text message to my friend, Kristen, on the other side of the stadium pointing out the vest. She said he obviously wasn’t owning it. After all, when one dons a sweater vest and truly owns it, then it is a good day. So says Micah.

For the Mountaineers, I worried. The game seemed to lack some of the pizzazz I expected.

Finally, though, the sweater vest attitude sacked in as Stewart was finally able to direct his players to perform (or at least slide by) to grasp a win. No one will want to write home about the game ... unless it is to comment on the sweater vest.

I noticed another sweater vest worn in church on Sunday. It wasn’t the first time I had seen Steve Lewis choosing this layer of clothing. He admitted to owning several. And, yes, he did find that it makes his day better.

Hmmm.

Apparently, sweater vests are making a comeback. I read on a fashion website that one of the most popular layering pieces this fall will be the vest. “Sweater vests should no longer be associated with something your grandpa would wear, because this fall they will be everywhere, in all shapes, lengths, colors, and patterns. With so many options available, it gets confusing to pick out the perfect items to pair with your vest,” the fashion diva noted.

Creed disagrees. His days are definitely better when he wears a “cool” shirt. His definition of “cool” would rather include Wolverine or Spiderman than argyle.

Maybe Creed will someday come to terms with the sweater vest as his classmates begin to wear them. Until then I might leave an empty space in his closet as a memorial to the sweater vest — that which transcends time and age and makes every day better.