So, I found myself wanderin’ around Taos, New Mexico, not too long ago. Wasn’t really lookin’ for anything in particular, just gettin’ the lay of the land, you know? Taos is one of those places, kinda draws you in. Anyway, I’m moseyin’ through the plaza area, and bam, there’s this store: Overland Sheepskin Co. Heard of it, sure. They’re pretty well known.
Steppin’ Inside
Decided to pop in, see what all the fuss was about. First thing that hits you? That smell. Rich, earthy – pure leather and wool. Can’t beat it. The place was decked out. Seriously nice. Coats, jackets, hats, slippers, the whole nine yards. Looked like top-notch stuff, built to last, not like some of the flimsy junk you buy these days that falls apart after a wash or two. You could just tell this was quality.
I started browsin’, pickin’ up a jacket here, a vest there. Heavy, man. Real shearling, the good stuff. The folks workin’ there were pretty chill, not breathin’ down your neck, which I always appreciate. They knew their products, tellin’ me where the skins came from, how they were made. Sounded impressive, gotta admit. But then, then you see the price tags. Woo-ee! Let’s just say it ain’t for folks on a tight budget. You’re payin’ for that name, and that quality, no doubt about it.
The Big Question Mark
And that’s where I hit a snag. Saw this one coat, a real beaut. Dark, rugged, looked like something a cowboy would wear, but classy too. Tried it on. Fit like it was made for me. Warm as anything. I could picture myself wearin’ it, feelin’ like a million bucks. Then I peeked at the price again. Ouch. That was a serious number. More than I wanted to part with, that’s for sure.
It got me thinkin’, see. My granddad, he had this old sheepskin vest. Bet he didn’t get it from no fancy shop like Overland. Probably picked it up cheap somewhere, or traded for it. He wore that thing for donkey’s years, patched it up himself. It wasn’t about the brand; it was about keepin’ warm and somethin’ that lasted. And here I am, lookin’ at stuff that costs an arm and a leg. Funny how things change, eh?
I remember this one time, years back, I got all hyped about some newfangled camera. Had to have it. Dropped a wad of cash. Used it maybe, oh, half a dozen times? Now it just sits in a box collectin’ dust. That kind of thing sticks with you. Makes you think twice before you splash out on somethin’ just ’cause it’s shiny.
Walkin’ Away
So, I wandered around that store for a good while. Kept goin’ back to that coat. But in the end? I walked out. Empty-handed. And you know what? Felt pretty good. Like I’d dodged a bullet, almost. The coat was nice, real nice. But did I need it? Nah. Not really.
Sometimes, just lookin’ is enough. The experience itself. Taos is still a fantastic place, with or without a new sheepskin coat. The art, the vibe, the mountains – that’s the real deal. That Overland stuff? It’s just… stuff. Well-made, sure, but still just stuff at the end of the day. Maybe I’ll find a gem at a thrift store one day, who knows? That’d be more my style anyway.
