Tiptoe Through My Closet With Me

My wardrobe tends to be non-descript.  And, it’s from before the turn of this last century.  Daughter #1 often gives me a garment or two that she thinks I would like to wear.  And, she is usually right.  Her last purchase for me was a sweater made with a rich fabric that was a beautiful color.  It is special; so, I wear it for special occasions.

But, the rest of my wardrobe is browns and blacks, dark colors.  Because all of them are cut of the same cloth and are exactly alike and hanging together in my closet, it makes it easy to dress in the morning.  I could do it blindfolded.  I know that I look the same, day after day.  I often wonder if friends think I only have one set of clothes, and I don’t know how to shop for more at a thrift store..

I especially like winter clothes.  During the winter, cold makes my neck cold.  And, my arms.  And, my legs.  Well, actually, all of me.  So, my clothes need to keep me warm.  During the winter cold, I often heat with wood.  So, my house is clearly not over heated.  Thus, clothes need to be warm.  Turtle-neck sweaters with wrist-length sleeves.  Pants that are lined.  And, knitted, warm gaitors over socks and under pant legs.

I’m not enamored of wearing coats.  I’d rather wear a cape, but the one I have isn’t really one that I like.  So, outerwear is generally one of my heavy sweaters with pockets; pockets in every pair of pants that I own.  All black, of course.  Usually, the only coat I wear is when I’m bringing wood in from the wood yard; its made of a slick materials making it easy to carry the wood without ruining the coat.  There are always gloves in the pockets to protect my hands from the wood.

Pants and cardigans all have pockets.  Every one.  I have lots to put into them.  Keys.  A tube of something for my lips.  Flip phone.  Pocket knife (Mom said, “Never leave home without it”).  Small flashlight for reading menus in a restaurant.  Or, to find something I’ve dropped under the bed.

I haven’t owned a skirt for years.  And, I haven’t worn a skirt for longer than that.  There is so much that goes with wearing a skirt.  Hosiery.  Slip.  Nice shoes.  I don’t need that, any more.  So, no skirts in my closet.  I remember my two favorite skirts, though.  A red full-length skirt.  Also a full-length black and white patchwork flowing skirt.  I’d made both of them (no pockets) and wore them when I worked in the school at National Jewish Hospital.  I loved those skirts.

Of course, winter is only about five months long.  The rest of the year I have to wear clothes that keep me from melting during the spring, summer, and fall.  Those are days for walking shorts and tee-shirts.  Friends have brought tee-shirts to me from places they visit.  I have shirts from other countries; I think my favorite “other country” shirt is from Croatia.  It is soft and decorated with a beautiful lace image on the front.

There is a coffee shop on Interstate Highway 80, Exit 211 at Gothenburg, Nebraska.  In addition to great coffee, Lasso Espresso sells tee-shirts that say:  “Instant Human (just add coffee).”  Daughter #3 lives in Wisconsin and, when the family travels here, they stop for coffee and tee-shirts.  They have been buying these tee-shirts for years.  I have eight.  Red, black, purple, green, white, grey.  Eight!

There are other tee-shirts also fronted with words.  Chocolate sayings.  “When I get a little money, first I buy books.  If any is left, I buy food and clothing.”  I have others.  Lots of others.  I think the tee-shirt I’m most proud of is the one that says, “This Shirt Saves Lives.”  It’s one of gifts for contributing to a favorite charity – St. Jude’s Hospital.  Maybe, my most favorite is the grandma tee.

I wonder what my clothes closet says about me.  What does yours say about you?  I figure what you see is what you get!

Be Safe and Be Well.
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are appreciated.