05/10/2026
What people wear says so much about who they are. It can indicate age, origin, gender, values and so much more. Sometimes an article of clothing takes on a meaning or is imbued with an emotion or memory. It has the ability to tell a story. This is another in the series of “Storied Garments” that runs every other week.
If you have a garment that “tells a story” you would like to share, please email it to [email protected] along with a photo (of yourself and/or the garment). No guarantee it will be shared here but ResQ would love to hear about it.
In the Spring of 1984 Rachel met her future husband, Brian Bennett. He was a dashing young America’s Cup Sailor from New Zealand and Rachel found him irresistible. After a dizzying 6 week courtship she agreed to marry him!
The America’s Cup competition was over and Brian had been employed by a local sailmaker in Rhode Island, USA where Rachel was living. His employer had agreed to secure his working visa/residency which was worth USD$2,000. A Princely sum at the time. Not wanting any undue pressure to be put on his new romantic relationship, Brian kept his personal life and recent betrothal private from his employer. He wanted his USA status not to be dependent on his relationship with Rachel.
However, one day Rachel had a chance introduction to his employer by a friend who mentioned that I was Brian’s Fiancee. Brian’s employer put on his glasses. Had a more scrutinizing look at Rachel and commented “ Ah, you’re Brian’s Green Card.” The subterfuge was over. The employer dropped his promise to secure Brian’s status, instead relying on the marriage to secure it and save him the legal fee.
This didn’t affect the young couple’s plans but it did result in some sleepless nights for Rachel fearing that her new love might be ordered out of the country for overstaying his visa.
They made a plan to have a legal or civil marriage at the earliest time just to relieve these worries.
Rachel’s close friends had recently been on a trip to Mexico and being aware of her plans to wed, had brought her a traditional Mexican Wedding Dress. At least that was what they were told by the vendor. A few days later, Brian and Rachel, accompanied by two friends as witnesses, were married in the Newport, RI Courthouse by a Justice of the Peace. Of course Rachel wore her Mexican Wedding dress.
A few months later Brian and Rachel had a “proper” church wedding attended by family and friends. Rachel wore a traditional Wedding gown to this affair. She still has both dresses but only the Mexican Wedding dress still fits!
,
