My fashion is not a statement

I was standing at the printer this morning when Kat asked me, "is it red day today?" She was referring to me wearing a red v-neck sweater.

"Oh, I don't know," I shrugged. Truthfully, it was the only sweater I had left in the drawer (thank God it was Friday) and it easily matched my black and white wool tweed pants. "Why, who else is wearing red?"

"No one, but isn't it if you support the troops you're supposed to wear red on Fridays?"

I had never heard of this before. Later, Joanna came into my cube and I noticed that she too was wearing a red sweater.

"Hey, you got the memo," I said. It's an office joke. Anytime there's more than one person wearing the same colour (in an office of 40, gee, what are the odds?) someone has to mention it.

"Kat says you're supposed to wear red on Fridays if you support the troops," I explained to her.

"Isn't that AIDS?" She asked.

"Oh yeah," I said, remembering the big RED campaign running at The Gap.

A few moments later, Kat e-mailed me the source of her supposition--one of those globe circulating forwards--which confirmed that those who support our Canadian troops are to unite by wearing red on Fridays.

I decided to pop by to discuss this with her.

"So Joanna reminded me that wearing red also shows a support of AIDS research. Although, the AIDS awareness campaign is a Gap thing, and I bought this sweater at The Bay, so if anything, I suppose I'm supporting the Canadian troops." I continued by adding, "Both are honourable causes, but I just wanted to wear this sweater today because it's cold. I have no intentions of making any kind of statement."

"So your fashion is not a statement," Kat concludes.

"That's right!" I agreed, really liking the way Kat put it. I can certainly put together a smart outfit, but my wardrobe is non-political. I avoid logo t-shirts because I think they are a stupid way to state your opinion, but apparently words are no longer necessary. I guess it's nothing new. Goths are stereotyped with the colour black while soft pink is reserved for those who support the fight against breast cancer. I suppose if I wore a green and white ensemble in public I might get boo'd for being a Saskatchewan Rough Riders fan. Heh, don't even get me started on the Liberal party's red thongs.

Well this is MY fashion statement. I like colours. ALL colours. Some days are pink, some are blue. No matter the colour though, I wish to remain neutral.