Every week a different FADER staff member will pick a clothing item or accessory that he or she has lately been spending a lot of time with—or would like to—and write a little love letter to it. We would’ve done a column on who we’re dating but that seemed a little bit much. This week Sam Hockley-Smith talks about his C.P. Company Cardigan.
In August, I turned 27. This isn't especially old, but it's also the first time I've had a birthday and then realized that, holy shit, I am a grown up. It doesn't feel bad and it doesn't feel good, it just sort of feels...there. It's a thing that is happening, and I should embrace it now and learn how to own it. Style-wise, this doesn't actually mean much. I'm still wearing the same clothes I was wearing last year and the year before: simple button downs, jeans and desert boots are where I'm at, should there be something more?
The shawl neck cardigan is a dicey move. It's hard to pull off without looking like I should be 60-years-old, spending my days smoking a pipe and teaching a super liberal poetry class in Vermont. But this one, beautifully made by C.P. company, manages to fit my style without pointing too heavily toward my potential future (the more I think about it, the more chilling in Vermont and smoking a pipe seems great). It looks and feels hand woven, and while it's heavily patterned, it's not obtrusive and can be worn with just about anything. It's also super warm, and since it's already December and I still haven't really had to break out the gnarly winter coat, it acts as a good middle season proxy.
To be honest, I've been wearing this every day. It's actually a battle for me not to wear it, which is great because the way I got it was that I noticed it on our style editor's chair and commandeered it without asking. It's mine now! Hopefully it lasts as long as I do.