Statement Piece

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I looked up the definition of “Statement piece” A statement piece is a distinctive, bold item of clothing, jewelry, or decor that acts as a focal point, designed to draw attention and express personal style. These items turn an otherwise simple outfit or room into something special and memorable. They are often conversational, unique in design, and define a space or look.

I guess this fits the bill.

It’s not a new piece of jewellery. I picked it up at the “Make It” craft fair a very long time ago. Kirk saw it, nudged me, and said “I think you need that“. It had an extra little charm on it, the letter “u”. I took that off because I felt like the necklace was more of a broad statement than a personal one. I didn’t want anyone in particular to think it was a comment on them personally.

Even if it happened to be.

Plausible deniability is your friend.

The first time I wore it to work, my then-manager, a somewhat uptight middle aged white guy, stopped in front of me, looked at it, and said something along the lines of “I think that’s a bit offensive to wear at work”. But before I could rebut (because I pretty much always rebut), a coworker blurted out “She’s giving you a heads up of her mood, you should thank her, she’s doing you a solid”.

First off, let me tell you that there is absolutely nothing in this world as precious as a coworker that has your back.

Secondly, it was awesome, because said-manager didn’t quite know what to do in that he’d not only not managed to be an overbearing jerk who bullied his female staff into removing a necklace by ‘tone-policing’ her, but he’d been embarrassed back into his corner by her male colleague.

I’ve been wearing this necklace a lot lately.

Pretty much haven’t removed it for about a month.

It’s not about any one person, it’s more of a statement on many states of affair these days. I sometimes forget I’m wearing it. I do try to tuck it under my shirt in the morning, but it slips out. I had a one-on-one meeting with one of my team last week and they, part way through the meeting, stopped and said…”Does your necklace say ‘Fuck’?” I replied, yes, not terribly managerial of me I know. I then proceeded to tell them that I often mix and match it with two other necklaces…one is a silver molecule…cortisol. When I wear them together I am saying “Fuck stress!” I also have a silver skull with a little gold horn….a unicorn skull….a ‘unicorpse’. When I add that to the mix I am saying that “I have lost my belief in unicorns and all things good, and fuck I hate the stress that brings to me.”

They looked at me, laughed and said “I love nerd humour”.

I love my tribe.

No, it’s definitely NOT professional.

No, there is not a manager I know who would wear such a thing.

But here we are.

I’m not taking it off any time soon.

If nothing else, it’s good as a conversation piece.

And besides, I’m not going to be a manager much longer.