The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Transformation Quotes

Carmen is reflecting upon the Pants's arrival to the thrift store, noting that change is a part of life, even for a pair of pants. Clearly, the owner of the Pants didn't experience their magic—otherwise they never would have been given up for adoption. 

It happens, Albert—maybe you should try seeing your daughter more often. Carmen hasn't seen her father in awhile, and he is uncomfortable when they are reunited, since he knows he is missing out on Carmen's life. With each visit, he sees that she is growing into a young woman. 

Okay, maybe Carmen's heart isn't literally rotting, but that is definitely what it feels like. She is totally unprepared to meet Albert's ready-made family. For a girl who relishes predictability, such a sudden—and radical—life shift is especially painful. 

We think this means that as time passes, we can see things more clearly. Time gives us a perspective on life that is hard to obtain when we're caught up in the middle of things, with emotions clouding judgment. 

Just like the girls are becoming young women, the olives are getting bigger too.

Heavy duty emotions here, Shmoopsters. Bridget doesn't know what she is feeling, but it is real and it is intense. Brashares never explicitly states what happens between Bridget and Eric, but based on Bridget's overwhelming reaction, it's easy to guess. It's not rocket science, and it's definitely more than she was ready for.

Tibby starts the book as a girl with a nose ring and polyester smock, but now she's a caregiver and friend who changes Bailey's life. No Pants necessary. 

Sometimes moments of transformation aren't hard or painful or complicated—they're just awesome. Like Lena's first kiss with Kostos.

Bailey and Mimi did not die in vain, and if nothing else, their deaths change Tibby's life. Tibby misses her friends deeply, but vows to live more passionately in their honor. In other words, dealing with death transforms Tibby, and makes her eager to live her life. 

This is a metaphor for how the girls have changed. Just as the Pants are made up of tiny fibers that are hard to see, the girls have feelings that are hard to communicate—but just as the Pants stayed in one piece over the summer, so too will this group of friends.