3. Sploosh

It felt like heaven as it flowed over his dirty mouth and down his parched throat. He thought it might have been some kind of fruit at some time, perhaps peaches. Zero smiled at him. “I told you it was good.” (Sachar 157).

Product Info: Blouse – Target, Jeans – Lucky Brand, Jacket – Forever 21, Shoes – Macy’s, Hat – Urban Outfitters

“Sploosh” is the name coined by Zero to refer to the sweet drink that saves his life after he and Stanley escape from the camp. What they don’t know is that it’s the remnants of the peach preserves that Katherine Barlow packed many years earlier, before she became Kissin’ Kate Barlow. Kate Barlow is one of my favorite characters of any of the books I’ve read, and I wanted to create a final look that connects her with Stanley and Zero across different time periods, when Green Lake actually had a vibrant lake and a thriving town.

With this final outfit, I wanted to focus on function over form, and practicality over stylishness. Of course, the peach-colored top is a reference to what Sploosh really is, and I chose a blouse that’s pretty, but still appropriate for work. The pants are a dark wash pair of jeggings, which I love because they really do look just like jeans, but with added comfort. They’re versatile and wouldn’t take up too much space if you’re moving around – or hiking up a mountain, if you’re Zero and Stanley.

Overall, the look is simple and classic, without being too boring. The denim on denim is a bit of homage to Texas, actually, since the story takes place primarily in that state. Also, if anyone can pull off a denim jacket over jeans, it’s going to be a Texan.

Final Words

I did my best to not give any major spoilers, because I’m hoping that, if you haven’t already read it, you guys will pick up this book and give it a try. No, it’s not the complex 1000+ page monster that Les Misérables is (another of my favorite books of all time!) but it has such an incredible amount of heart and spirit, and it really is an unforgettable story.