8 Years, One Coat-Why it Matters
I’ve been wearing the same The North Face coat for 8 years straight, why I don't plan on giving it up and why its lasted me this long.
I grew up in a small mountain town in Colorado, where winter seems to be the longest season. After college I moved to the city, and found what I thought was more stylish outdoor apparel. That was until I was asked out on a date to go skiing, a hobby I hadn't made time for since starting my career. I frantically rushed to the store to find a solid winter jacket for the Colorado mountains I grew up in, it was late in the season and my options were limited. I ended up finding a boys' XL by the brand The North Face, it was red, my favorite color, it fit my women's 5'5 petite frame, but the price! My eyes practically fell out of my head and wanted to take my glasses with them. The cost was $300 and that was the sale price. Considering it was my only option; I bought the jacket. That singular purchase would end up being the best thing I ever bought.
That coat became my everyday cold weather staple, from the warm fleece on colder days to the striking red shell that could be worn separately to keep out the wind, rain, and snow while providing some warmth.
Then I turned 30, and I went on my first ever vacation. That might shock some people, considering the age of travel but it wasn't always like that. I had never even seen the inside of an airport until I was 27 and that was for a work trip. My coworkers had to set up an office simulation to help me navigate my upcoming solo training seminar. I didn't even know you had to go through security, and don't even get me started about gates, let alone assigned seating (who knew)! I was most certainly the only one paying attention to the flight attendant’s safety presentation, part of me even wanted to raise my hand and ask a question. For a moment, I felt like Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story—to infinity and beyond! —as we took off.
My travel companion wasn't a person, it was a coat, my red The North Face Jacket, in size boys' XL. I made sure to pack it in my carry-on, because I couldn't risk having to replace it, it was too good for every season and activity. I am an avid outdoor enthusiast even before it was trendy. I climbed mountains in that coat, wandered coastal paths, hit the snowy slopes, hiked in the rain and wind, and went to the grocery store. I was the red dot, moving at an unusual speed from an aerial view as I enjoy walking and hiking quickly. My photo albums are filled with various landscapes and in almost every picture, the same red coat making its appearance.
Even though The North Face logo has almost faded off with various washes, I choose sustainability, and you should too. We should support brands like The North Face a VF Corporation , that make quality products that last. There is nothing wrong with my coat, it still functions top notch, even though I've used it almost every day for the past 8 years. Sustainability doesn't mean cheap, it means agreeing to quality, even if it’s more expensive. It’s not tossing out something just because you want the latest and greatest or an influencer markets it to you.