"Many hands and hearts bring Blue Fish Clothing to life and the stories continue with you, the wearer..."

-- from the Blue Fish Holiday/Winter 1997 catalog
entitled "The Art of Transcendence"

Every piece of Blue Fish acquired is a piece rich with personal history. There are stories contained in our closets and drawers...stories of the people who produce the clothing and stories of the people whose lives are somehow changed for the better when they wear Blue Fish. Over time, this page will be a collection of Blue Fish Tales from the wearers...and the creators.

If you would like to share your story here, email me at [email protected].

July 15, 2000

Last weekend I was sitting in the dressing room of Talbots while my mother and sister, visiting from out of state, tried on clothes. I was wearing a black flora dress from the BF outlet. They were wearing very tailored, dry clean only, linen from Talbots. We had shopped every Talbots in the state, because they were sure that the Talbots stores where I live are better than the Talbots stores where they live.

I sat in the dressing room, trying to be supportive of all the: "does it cup in the bottom? is it too tight in the waist? does it pull in the bust?" questions, thinking about this web site and how wonderful it is so many women have chosen not to be obsessed and traumatized by the size and fit of their clothes.

During the afternoon (we were there for hours) a young woman trying on elasticized pants started chatting with me. She lived out of the U.S. and was visiting family, blissfully pregnant for the first time, just finished with her first trimester and so done with the yucky part, and looking unsuccessfully for new, bigger clothes. She hated maternity styles (doesn't everyone?) and was trying to find some normal clothes that would work. Well, of course, I just happened to have the new BF catalogue in my purse and gave her the catalogue number. She was very excited, or at least polite enough to act so.

I wish I had had BF 15 years ago when I gave birth. Although I loved being hugely pregnant with twins, I was stepping on the scales as soon after my caesarian as they unhooked me from the IV and catheter, distressed that I had only lost 25 pounds, and wondering how long it would take me to get back into my real clothes. Blue Fish certainly would have been a blessing to me at that point in my life. I looked for looser clothes and ended up wearing a lot of Laura Ashley, but really felt uncomfortable with such a little girl look. There were also denim jumpers, - many, many denim jumpers.

Finally, eight years ago next month, I met a friend for lunch and she had on the most unusual and beautiful outfit I had ever seen. She explained a little about BF, cautioned me it was very expensive (like me, she hates to admit what she would spend for a dress) and told me I could buy some items from her that she had just gotten at a craft sale, but wasn't going to keep. We went back to her house, tried on all her BF and then called the catalogue. They faxed us pictures of what was left of the summer sale. I got rid of all the Laura Ashley and denim jumpers and lived happily ever after in my own unusual and beautiful clothes.

I hope BF will work for the mother-to-be I met last weekend and think I am going to start carrying around this web page address as well. I'm thinking seriously about the October sale so I can spend some time with kindred spirits obsessed with paint, block prints and unusual styles instead of a particular size and fit.

Elizabeth

June 27, 2000

Hi, I'm Nan (fishwife1107) from Maryville, TN, and when I moved to east Tennessee 3 years ago I went into withdrawl because NO ONE in my area carried Blue FISH. I found the loveliest shop in Knoxville, TN, called Green Earth Emporium. For 8 months, I worked on Eric and begged him to carry just a few basic pieces as he had a wall full of Flax and didn't think that east Tennessee was ready for B.F. He reluctantly decided to add it to his store and the rest is history. Anyway, last November, they had thier first trunk show and he provided food and entertainment. There, on the sidelines stood a woman from California, "repping" bags for her friend. After a couple of hours, she walked over to me and whispered, "it looks like a cult to me". We all laughed. I replied, "once you've purchased a piece of Blue Fish, you're hooked for life". I, like soooo many others, are "hooked for life". I am in the process of scaling down my closet and passing on the "conventional" stuff in my closet to make room for ALL the Blue Fish I can afford!!!

Nan
[email protected]

June 26, 2000

Hi, This is Deborah, the manager of the Austin Blue Fish store. I have worn and sold Blue Fish for almost 10 years. I have a GREAT story to tell. About six months ago, I did laundry at the neighborhood laundry mat and had a lot of Blue Fish stolen!!!!! It included a 1993 sweater (my all time favorite) and lots of other pieces that were close to my heart.

About two months ago I made friends with a girl at my church who happens to be the queen of all garage sale shoppers. Last week she called me to tell me she bought a bunch of Blue Fish at a garage sale for $20! Well, I wanted to see for myself what she found because I know some of you would be very curious, just as I was.

Today she came by the store to show me what she got because her husband thought it made her look fat (anyone heard that one before?). So, anyway, I look in her car and she had all of my stolen Blue Fish in her back seat, ready to be given back to me. <{Hi, This is Deborah, the manager of the Austin Blue Fish store. I have worn and sold Blue Fish for almost 10 years. I have a GREAT story to tell. About six months ago, I did laundry at the neighborhood laundry mat and had a lot of Blue Fish stolen!!!!!

It included a 1993 sweater (my all time favorite) and lots of other pieces that were close to my heart.

About two months ago I made friends with a girl at my church who happens to be the queen of all garage sale shoppers. Last week she called me to tell me she bought a bunch of Blue Fish at a garage sale for $20! Well, I wanted to see for myself what she found because I know some of you would be very curious, just as I was.

Today she came by the store to show me what she got because her husband thought it made her look fat (anyone heard that one before?). So, anyway, I look in her car and she had all of my stolen Blue Fish in her back seat, ready to be given back to me.

I thought this was a "tales" worthy story, what do you think?

Deborah

April 17, y2k

Being somewhat depressed about recent events in my life I decided to go shopping and give the consignment stores another look see.

Low and behold I spied what looked like a blue fish skirt peeking out of the XL sizes, my heart leapt, as I got closer I realized it was a two piece outfit, and it had its original tags on it, a bright yellow botanical print vest with the matching skirt with soft muted lavender and greens, my heart started racing could there be more? I asked the women in the store if she had anymore blue fish, and she replied there was none.

Having worked in consignment, I know that where there is one there is usually more, So I began my search. I was just about to leave when I decided to look one more time on the XL pants rack and there it was This incredible asymmetrical jacket in moss green with these wonderful pants with buttons on the side, I did a little dance trying to contain myself from screaming I can't believe this!

This is probably how all you feel when you go to friends and family sales, none of which I have been to although I was/am a stock holder, I either lived too far away to justify the trip or was at a show. Now here is the best part the outfits were $48.00 each, so for under 100.00 I was able to satisfy my passion. I wasn't sitting at my computer screaming or pouting about fish that got away, they were mine folded neatly in a brown paper bag going home with me.

Oh yeah, by the way its my birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

Thanks for letting me share,

Vicki
[email protected]

I have lots of blue fish stories, most come from my 8 (soon to be 9) year old. One includes a dream she had where she opened my closest and all my Blue Fish was gone! Her closet was full instead! Personally, I thought that would be a nightmare.

The best story goes something like this. My daughter had a school project to do at home that included composing and compiling a 'family album.' The album had to contain sections describing herself, her family with descriptions, favorite things to do, where she lived, etc.. In her family section she first wrote about her dad. Likes to water ski, drive snowmobiles, ride bikes, and the sort. Next came mom. "My mom likes to paint and read. She plays games with me. We like to dance and listen to music. Her favorite thing is Blue Fish."

From the mouths of babes!

She's right. If someone asked me what was my favorite thing, I'd have to say shopping for and wearing my Blue Fish. Needless to say, my daughter got an A+ on her family album project. It had stories, colors, stickers, pictures, and drawings that even Jennifer Barclay would have been proud of.

Yes, there's a picture of me in the album wearing what else - Blue Fish!

Sue Skoras
[email protected]

Click here to read more of YOUR STORIES about Blue Fish.