Friday, October 18, 2013

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pink Sweater

I paired the 1960s sweater with items already in my closet:  a Maginn leather skirt (Nordstrom); candy-striped Poetic License shoes; and pearl earrings that belonged to my grandmother, Dorothy, who exhibited dignity and grace throughout her own battle with breast cancer. I know she's with me in spirit for this journey.
 The bubblegum pink sweater I’m rocking in today’s post is vintage 1960s glam, and I was excited to juxtapose it with an ultra-modern navy leather skirt.  Although it’s not a shade of pink I would typically choose (we redheads are cautious with our pinks, after all), I fell in love with its classic style and unique details.  Almost immediately, I envisioned wearing it with multiple items already in my closet.  But alas, I’ll wear it just this once.  You see, the sweater does not belong to me.  I’m merely the first step in this vintage jewel’s year-long journey to bring a little sparkle and style to philanthropic fashionistas in the central Indiana community while raising funds for an organization that supports those affected by breast cancer, a disease that has affected the lives of too many women I love and admire.

As detailed in this introductory post from my fellow blogger and vintage fashion lover Crystal Hammon, the idea for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pink Sweater is the result of our desire to collaborate on a project that highlighted vintage fashion and its relevance in today’s world.  When we originally discussed a collaboration, we thought it would center around a demonstration of how a vintage garment could, and would, be styled differently for real-world wear by vintage fashion lovers of different vintages (ie, we were born in different decades).  But, when we settled on the month of October as the kick-off for our project, this particular pink sweater spoke up and let us know it was destined for a larger purpose.  After all, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the color pink has become synonymous with the cause.  And check out that collar - it mimics the iconic pink ribbon!  

Speaking of pink ribbons, we wanted to keep the project local, and we selected the Pink Ribbon Connection as the recipient organization for funds raised through the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pink Sweater.”  The Pink RibbonConnection is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide information and resources to those touched by breast cancer in Central Indiana to assist in their personal journey…because no one should face breast cancer alone.”   You can read more about the Pink Ribbon Connection and how to donate here.

Crystal and I are energized about the prospect of making a pink sweater connection with many philanthropic fashionistas as we join in sisterhood to support the work of the Pink Ribbon Connection, and we look forward to sharing the sweater’s journey with our readers over the next twelve months!  In my next post, I’ll link back to Crystal’s blog, Dressed Her Days Vintage, where she’ll explain the sweater’s traveling arrangements, and how you can be part of the journey.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!





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