Dear The Limited Circa 1988,
I don’t really know what you’ve been up to lately. I know there was that whole Structure spin-off in the 90s, The Limited Too, and maybe a lingerie store? but after that I kind of lost track. I feel like recently I walked past your window and there were a lot – like a LOT – of rayon blouses? Seemed a little bleak, tbh.
But anyway, I’ve always wanted to thank you for 30 years ago providing a fall wardrobe that, in walking a line between bohemian and mainstream, happened to be absolutely perfect for a girl searching for a persona and about to enter grade 7 at Central Middle School. It was also, thank you thank you, clothes that my mother thought looked nice (the color coordination worked a miracle here) and she bought me not just one but two full outfits – the baggy bottom pants, the loose weave oversized cotton sweaters – that won me at least three compliments on the first week of school. My best friend of course told me I looked awesome – that is the role of best friend and we complimented each other relentlessly throughout all of middle school thank god for her – but other people also said I looked awesome, which, for a girl with an unflattering perm, braces and an unsteady application of neon-blue mascara, was nothing short of a small miracle.
Walking into school that first day I thought I had finally found my style and I knew exactly how I would dress forever.
And while in reality I’m still looking for my style – and maybe also, I’ll be honest, my persona – it’s still a nice memory. Every time I think of you, The Limited, I think of you fondly.
Thanks for helping me be stylish for one hot minute,
-e.