5 FITS WITH TRAVIS JOHNSTON(MASTER WEDDING OFFICIANT)

Welcome to 5 Fits!

An interview series where we chat with folks about what fits make them feel their best!

Travis and his wife, Caroline, 2019

Travis is an Indianapolis based, one time wedding officiant, who works in the college athletics sphere. He's a good friend and former college rugby brother. I'm excited to see what he's up to!

Joel: Trav! How's it hangin?

Travis: As Devon Miles (Nick Cannon) says in the critically acclaimed, pop culture classic, coming of age film, Drumline - Everything is everything.

Joel : I'm not sure what that means so I'm going to take it as disrespect. What's your fit currently?

Travis: As I write this, I am wearing brown/khaki work jeans (some paint stains included) with an oversized plaid dress shirt over a PSV exclusive find - Emerald Isle, N.C., sailing t-shirt. Easily my favorite t-shirt currently. It feels one of a kind, and the unique, faint, horizontal pint striping sets it apart. See Below:

Travis: I think you can put me in the same class as Vanilla Ice, Right Said Fred, and the Baha Men. A one-hit wonder! But honestly, I can't imagine another wedding would be as meaningful for me to officiate as yours. So, I'll happily call it a career after that. 

Haleigh, Joel, and Travis at the Altar - 2022

Joel: It was a masterclass in one time wedding officiating.  You did a fantastic job. Speaking of jobs! What's your day job when you're not digging through goodwill bins and finding the rarest threads in the Hoosier state?

Travis: My day job is college athletics. The industry is experiencing a tremendous amount change right now, so being able to disconnect with hobbies such as vintage picking really helps with remaining balanced. 

Joel: That transition can be quite the process and overwhelming, but at the end of the day keeping cool pieces in circulation helps not only the planet, but your local community.

What sparked your love for secondhand and vintage? The whole rugby team wearing thrifted suits to our university's student awards was a real trigger for me. We brought the house down.

Travis: Well, I'd say I gained a lot of respect and passion for vintage clothing from you, personally, and Post Season Vintage. Plus, I've always loved the nostalgia of thrifted threads and being able to express myself through unique finds. I take a lot of pride in finding hidden gems and wearing things that are no longer made. Obviously, they say one man's trash is another man's treasure. I think that's the thrill of it all. Thrifting has taught me to appreciate and care for the things I find valuable. For example, I cherish my Dirty Heads concert t-shirt collection that I have established over years of following the band. One day I hope to pass along those shirts to my kids, so keeping them pristine while also getting good wears out of them is important to me. 

Joel: You saying that means a lot. You're about to make tears come out of my face! In all seriousness, It really is fun and meaningful to find grails when you're digging endlessly through racks. To me it's an addiction, and so much fun. I have so many thrifted items that I can never part with. It's also great getting sweet deals instead of paying full price. Based on that, If money was no object, what's one grail you'd snag today?

Travis: I enjoy simple clothing, so it wouldn't be anything too earth shattering. I'd probably snag a vintage leather bomber jacket. I've been hunting around for a good bargain, but if money was no issue, I'd be happy to splurge a bit on that. Money aside, the real issue is closet space... So, closet space aside, I would be scooping up every vintage graphic tee, crew neck, overshirt, that I could get my hands on. 

Also, I'd probably spend way too much money on shoes. Classic Nike Blazers, Air Maxes, New Balances of all varieties. That sort of thing.

Joel: Matilda. Can't think about anything but Matilda when I hear Rusted Root...

I mentioned in the preface to this article, we spent a whole lot of time on the rugby pitch back in our college days. I know a lot of my style is based on rugby. I can't get enough polo's and shorty shorts, but for you, how are the aches and pains post collegiate rugby career? Has 4 years of rugby added to your style?

Travis: Oooof, I question the ol' noggin every now and then, but I feel relatively healthy. Some days you could say I look like I'm rolling home from a rugby match. I definitely need more rugby polos in the closet though.