<p>A couple of years ago I attended a fundraiser at a family friend’s ranch. It had been suggested wear “casual western” so I did wear jeans. I was so glad I did wear jeans that night when I fell into a cattle guard at a gate while walking into the place in the pitch black night! I didn’t see what was coming because it was so dark, and I ended up falling, straddled in this homemade cattle guard with my legs dangling over a steel pipe. I got a couple of bruises, but I was glad I hadn’t worn a dress that evening.
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<p>Bromfield, of course it’s a tacky dress; I believe that was the point.</p>
<p>As for why I think easterners look down on my clothes? Because they do. I grew up in Philadelphia and then lived in Boston for twenty years. I visit my eastern friends and relatives often (not just for weddings). And every single trip someone takes me aside to let me know that I have, in some way, committed a fashion transgression. Often it’s my shoes, mostly because I wear comfortable shoes, and that usually means they aren’t fashionable and don’t have heels. My lack of a bra is often an issue as well. (Why are they looking at my breasts, anyway?) I should, at this point, make it clear that my clothes are always clean, they fit correctly, they don’t have holes or stains, and that no one in Portland even looks twice at me, much less says anything.</p>
<p>My cousins tease me when I visit them in NYC from Florida. They are streetwise and like to joke that if they took me downtown and left me on a street corner I’d be stripped buck naked in 5 minutes because I’m such a rube. So I guess it doesn’t matter what I wear in metro NYC when I visit!</p>
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<p>I grew up in the midwest and stayed there for college/grad school. I’ve lived on the east coast now for nearly 30 years–mostly in the Boston area with a few years in NYC and DC. I’ve never taken any of my midwestern friends or relatives aside to tell them their clothing was inappropriate. What someone is wearing may not be my cup-of-tea, but I’m not the fashion police. I wear flat/comfortable shoes (Dansko–which most people consider pretty ugly) often. I have a bad ankle and heels just kill me. The last time I wore heels was at my D’s wedding.</p>
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<p>Never thought of Bostonians being exactly fashionistas! When we visit we see lots of merrells, tevas, no makeup, grey haired women and droopy dresses. (friends and family included!)</p>
<p>" I should, at this point, make it clear that my clothes are always clean, they fit correctly, they don’t have holes or stains, and that no one in Portland even looks twice at me, much less says anything."</p>
<p>Have they called Stacy and Clinton yet?</p>
<p>Well, I have to take it back. I was at a party last night, lots of beautifully dressed people–I was invited because it was my next door neighbor and they were doing a fundraiser–and someone asked me about my shoes (“are those keens? it must be nice not to have to worry about your feet getting wet.”) as I walked through the neighbor’s waterfall chasing the puppy (who was invited, it was an outdoor party). Not clear to me if he was really interested (he was wearing keens too) or remarking on my practical shoes (his date was wearing very flimsy but very cute sandals that looked painful). </p>
<p>Pizzagirl: who are Stacy and Clinton?</p>
<p>“who are Stacy and Clinton?”</p>
<p>Obnoxious TV fashion know-it-alls who would frown on the T-shirt tuxedo I wear to formal events.</p>
<p>Who are Stacy and Clinton??! :eek:</p>
<p>The hosts of What Not to Wear. The premise of the show is that family / friends nominate a loved one, they arrange some kind of faux party or event and Stacy and Clinton swoop in, greet the person, and offer her a $5,000 shopping spree if the person will agree to turn over all her clothes. </p>
<p>I hope you’re being facetious, Schmaltz. There’s nothing attractive about deliberately playing the slob.</p>
<p>A $5000 shopping spree wouldn’t begin to cover the clothes it’s taken me twenty years to accumulate. My favorite jacket–handpainted silk–cost me more than 500 dollars ten years ago. I’ve gotten LOTS of wear out of it, too. Oh, and I have a handwoven jacket I wear a lot, too. That was a little less expensive. (That one is twenty years old. I guess I’m due for something new.)</p>
<p>TV fashion police? Now there’s a concept.</p>
<p>The thing about What Not to Wear and How Do I Look? is that I’m afraid I will be ambushed some day. I don’t have an iota of fashion sense, and D has threatened to nominate me for both shows.</p>
<p>Well, it’s not just clothing. They do a hair and makeup makeover as well. I love Clinton. My problem would be explaining to them that I can’t wear their trendy shoes because of my foot & knee issues and that they’d just have to get over my wearing Merrells, Danskos & Clarks. Oh, and that there’s no way I can pay retail off the rack. I actually wish they would do a show where they help people buy clothes from the clearance section ;)</p>
<p>So as I’m waiting for my sheets to come out the dryer, I’m pondering ironing the pillowcases since so many of y’all are raving about how nice it is to sleep on them. CC is obviously a hotbed of peer pressure…</p>
<p>^^ Thanks for the career idea for my D! That kid got her Senior Homecoming dress for $40 at Macys clearance, threw on a few accessories – including a $4 makeup bag from Ross, disguised as a clutch – and looked every bit as good as the girls wearing $500 outfits. It’s a gift.</p>
<p>“wearing Merrells, Danskos & Clarks.” #1134</p>
<p>I found an attractive and comfortable shoe brand recently - Taos Shoes - you can see them online, but I found them in a shoe store. I get frequent compliments. And, I find them more comfortable than clark and merrrill</p>
<p>As a guy, it’s eye-opening to learn that it’s common for women to comment on each other’s shoes. Not very common to be in a men’s room and hear, “Hey Ralph, great-looking wing tips!”</p>
<p>Not very common to be in a men’s room and hear, “Hey Ralph, great-looking wing tips!”</p>
<p>So if you aren’t looking at their shoes…?</p>
<p>Clearance section? My daughter buys her clothes at Goodwill and Value Village. She sent me a photo of her interview sweater, cost 50 cents; it’s lovely.</p>
<p>Portland has a better used clothing selection than Seattle that’s for sure.</p>