Enamored Armor

When I was eighteen, I plunged into self-reliance with no guidance or foresight. You know, the good American way: off you go now, into the real world - you figure it out. It was glorious.

I remember settling into our college town in Northern California, my brother and I, just happy to be there, on the blink of our brand new journey, not owning much, not even a means of transportation (we soon got bikes). We built our life from scratch, just a little over a week before classes started, a piece at a time, from kitchenware to underwear.

In the latter category, I was all about the cotton comfort of Hanes. (I adored the "Can't wait to get our Hanes on you" campaign.) I may have delved into Fruit of the Loom for fun (it does sound more adventurous, doesn't it?). That probably lasted longer than a decade. Then came my designer brand/outlet-shopping phase a.k.a. the I'm-so-vain period when all I'd wear was Calvin Klein and DKNY. In my thirties, embracing my sexuality and knowing how and when to "work it", I was all about Victoria's Secret, Felina, and Jezebel. In my late thirties I threw in a little Honeydew and the Pink line under VS (targeted clientele are college-aged) as good measure to hang on to my youth. Recently i found myself eyeing Candies, then noticed the word "junior" on the display and decided that was off limits.

Brand identity. Gotta luv it. It makes the world go 'round.

What i ended up buying was Maidenform. Like a trusted friend (my first bra was Maidenform and so is my current one. And trust me, i have been around the block). Thongs, so not totally matriarchal and boring. In cotton though. Ah, in the panties realm, i've come full circle.