Hey it’s Sarah, co-founder at CTG here – I wanted to jump in and share a reflection about a really interesting conversation I had at Australia Post today that reminded me exactly why we do what we do at Clothing The Gaps.

I've been popping into my local post office in regional Victoria every day for the past few days, eagerly waiting for our new Clothing The Gaps pins to arrive in store.  

We are so excited that 250 AusPost stores in regional towns will be stocking our Purpose Pins - pins that share and celebrate First Nations people, culture and causes. Check this blog out to see if your post office is on the list.

You know that feeling when you're expecting something special and you just can't help but keep checking? That was me, scanning every shelf, hoping to spot our purpose pins on the AusPost shelves.

On one of these visits, I did actually have to collect some mail - I was glad to have an excuse to be in the store for once!!

Walking up to the counter in my grey Clothing The Gaps crew—our logo clearly visible—I was just collecting my parcels when something interesting happened. The person serving me looked at my jumper and before they could even read my mail slip said, "We've got your pins coming out tomorrow."

I had to have a little giggle to myself. Being out here in regional Victoria, you don't see many people wearing Clothing The Gaps, so he'd just assumed I must work for the brand in some way – that this jumper was my uniform, rather than what I’d chosen to wear for the day. My suspicions were confirmed later in the chat when he asked me if I was a brand rep for the business.

It was such a lovely moment of connection. I’d almost forgotten that seeing our merch out here is rare enough that it creates an instant bond.

What started as a simple act of picking up my parcels became something so much more. We chatted about where the CTG pin display might go, and I couldn't contain my excitement about finally seeing them out in the world. "It's been a long time coming," I told him.

 Then he said something that stopped me in my tracks, something I’d been thinking but hadn’t said aloud yet: "It will be interesting to see how they go. There's lots of racism here." 

The blunt honesty from him in that moment was both heartbreaking and hopeful. He’s right. There is a lot of racism out here, and these pins will challenge a lot of people while they stand in line or browse the store.

But what happened next is exactly why representation and visibility are so crucial. This Australia Post worker—holding my parcel slip with no intention of rushing to get my package just yet, looked at me and quietly shared:

 "As an Aboriginal person who has fairer skin, people don't realise who I am and I hear a lot of racism."

We chatted some more as he spoke about his experience.

I reflected with him that as a non-Indigenous person, whilst I did not understand or encounter it the same way, I had observed the racism too.

I shared that when planning out which pins to stock at AusPost we had been wary of this - we weren't blind to the environment the pins would be existing in.

I stood there wondering about how many other customers this staff member had shared his identity with, and how it must feel to know that more items celebrating and supporting First Nations people were about to fill the shelves of his workplace.  

I hoped that it will feel encouraging for him to see people actively choosing merch that makes a difference and supports conversations about justice and recognition. For every pin that someone brings to the counter to purchase, he’ll know that they’re a person supportive of his identity – and in this small country town, that must really matter.

For the people that the pins challenge, I also hope they spark a moment of curiosity for them too and that this curiosity leads to wanting to understand more.

 As we talk about often at CTG, the piece of merch doesn’t give you the values, it just helps people spot them on the street a little easier.

This is exactly what we mean when we say it's more than just a tee, it's a conversation starter. Every single piece of this interaction proved that our work goes far beyond just fashion:

• The immediate recognition of our brand and what it stands for
• The honest conversation about the reality of racism in our communities
• The connection between someone who experiences discrimination and seeing active support in his workplace
• The knowledge that people are choosing to wear their values and spark these important conversations

I can't wait to go back into my local AusPost—not just to see the pin display out in the world, but to encourage this person and show him that there truly are people who want to see the world look different.

People who understand that progress isn't just only for policies and politicians—it's about everyday moments like choosing to wear a pin, starting a conversation, or simply showing up in the spaces where it matters most.

This conversation reminded me that every piece of merch we create, every campaign we run, every conversation we spark is reaching real people in real situations. It's supporting people who might feel isolated or unheard in their daily lives.

 When you wear Clothing the Gaps, you're not just making a fashion statement. You're creating opportunities for connection, understanding, and change. You're showing people that they're seen, supported, and valued.

That's the power of wearing your values. That's why we'll never stop doing this work.