Thursday, October 11th, 2007...7:42 pm
a sartorial dilemma
This question is not so much of what to wear, but how to wear…..
I have an article of clothing. It was a gift. It is long, brown and made of wool. Decorative curly-q’s adorn its wide edges and back.
Recently, a visiting relative and I were discussing items of clothing that I have not worn lately, if ever, and need to excavate from my sardine-packed closet. Naturally, this item came up, and I brought it out wondering if she wanted it.
It doesn’t fit right. It’s very long on me. The sleeves fall into the oatmeal, and it’s kind of hot for a robe.
Taking one glance at it, she confidently proclaimed, “Um, that’s not a robe, dear. It’s a coat!”
Huh? It IS??
She then explained the characteristics which contributed to her conclusion. All very believable and rational.
This changes everything, I thought. Sort of. It still doesn’t fit right. But how was I so off? Is it some robe/coat hybrid? A robecoat? A coatrobe? If I wore it out, would people think, hm, she’s taking a fashion step forward…..(or backward)? Some retro M*A*S*H tribute to Hawkeye?
Or would they think, man, cool coat?!
I’m still not sure.
Someone lovingly handmade it, leaving no labels of instructions or clues. Leaving only questions. On second thought, maybe they mischievously made it to fit in that nether world of fashion. Maybe it’s a Rorschach test in sheep’s clothing (sorry, couldn’t resist).
Now, Miss Wallace, please look at this article of clothing and tell me the first word that comes to mind….
It reminded me of Pat on Saturday Night Live. Girl, not a girl?
Robe, not a robe?
Have you ever had a clothing identity crisis?
[Updated to add photo]
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7 Comments
October 12th, 2007 at 6:05 am
I haven’t had a clothing identity crisis, but my teenage daughter does, every day.
She insists on wearing those big, loose pajama bottoms in public, even though I’ve told her many, many times they are for home wear only. She insists they are “public wear,” which would be fine, I suppose, if she didn’t also insist on sleeping in them. Which leaves the poor pants wondering if they are actually sleepwear…or public wear? What a conundrum!
October 12th, 2007 at 9:55 am
I wanna see a picture of this robe/coat!!
October 12th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Oh, yes, the pajamas deal! I remember my nephew who’s in high school wearing those in the middle of the day…. I may have given him a hard time, too. Sleeping in them de facto makes them pj’s, sorry Wild!
Jennifer, you are SO right! I am delinquent. The robe/coat has already left the building (and the state). Maybe I can get a photo emailed to me……
October 12th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Yes (turning bright red), I had a flowing skirt with large buttons that were supposed to be in the back. Every time I wore it I’d forget and put the buttons in the front (seemed logical to me), only to discover my blunder late in the day when I’d finally attempt to put my hands in the pockets and find they were facing the wrong direction.
October 12th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
FFF, obviously designed by a man! Buttons in the back?! What if one pops open? Why, helllllloo there!
October 15th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Pajamas all day….its not as bad as you think since when they sleep in class they are well prepared.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Good point, Sheri! For once, they’re well prepared!
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