Boring Clothes

Once upon a time, I substitute taught at an elementary school for a week. It wasn't until Thursday, when I wore a t-shirt and jeans to work, that anyone commented on my clothes.

A young boy stopped in front of me, looked up with earnest eyes, and asked, "Where's your costume?"

Puzzled, I replied, "What costume?"

Sighing at my lack of comprehension, he explained, "Every other day you wore a costume, but today you're not." He gave a decisive nod. "I like your costumes."

That was when I realized that my definition of "everyday clothes," worn Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, had been interpreted by this young lad as "costumes."

On Friday, I made sure to wear one of my own interpretation of everyday clothes. He was satisfied.

One other time a young woman approached me with, "I used to mix you and your sister up." 

(My sister Rebecca lived in the same town I did at the time. Can YOU tell who is who?)

The young woman continued, "But now I can tell you apart because you always wear colorful clothes and your sister wears regular clothes."

About five minutes later, Rebecca showed up, and we laughed at my sparkly shirt and swirly skirt that I'd sewn fake coins onto after market, while she wore a white collared shirt and khaki trousers.

"Boring" is a matter of interpretation. Someone who likes traditional clothes would be very uncomfortable showing up with sparkles on their chest and socks that glow in the dark. There's no right or wrong, there's just you!

Are you a costume clothes kind of person? Or are you more comfortable in traditional clothing?

(Did you guess the correct sister? In the picture, Rebecca is wearing the largest earrings (pink.) Mine are sparkly little dolphins to match the rhinestones on my shirt!)

Ran Out Of Paint

When I first saw this shirt at the thrift store, I was attracted by the bright red flowers and intense green leaves. I actually considered adding it to my large collection of thrift store t-shirts, even though I don't need any more. Yet this one could possibly be worth shoving some of the others over to make more closet space.

And then I turned it around...

What the HEY? Who didn't finish their job?

That back side was the deciding factor. This shirt was not going home with me. I didn't want to give anyone following me a headache from wondering why there was a colorful butterfly and only outlines of flowers and leaves.

I know, I know, this is one of those artsy intentional designs, like flood pants (meaning ones that are a few inches above the ankle but awkwardly longer than capris...I got teased so much for being tall in public school that wearing pants hovering above my ankles only takes me back to those unpleasant "King Kong Shirley" days. I won't wear them! They're a fashion faux pas in a plot to undermine the confidence of unusually tall people who thought they left their days of teasing behind! But I digress.)

Who thought up the unfinished painted shirt design, anyway? 

Lazy people?

Maybe not. Maybe it's just me and my uneducated design mind. 

Let's find out.

Do you like this shirt?

(Do you like flood pants?)

Bananas Anniversary!

It's our anniversary of 42 years! I've been a Bahlmann for more than twice as long as I was an Anderson!

(That's amazing, 'cause I'm not even that old.)

Bob and I had to work at it and forgive a lot to get this far, but it's been an interesting adventure.

I'm supposed to PAY for that?!

I've seen distressed clothing before, and pondered the appeal in an effort to understand it, but still can't figure out how the style persists. I could get it if the clothing is something a person has worn and loved for years, a piece that's accompanied a person through thick and thin, almost taking on the sentient quality of a friend. (I actually know someone who is loathe to give up on his/her old, softened-from-multiple-washings-and-wearings underwear until it just won't stay together on his/her body anymore.)

But if it's a NEW worn out piece of clothing, a complete stranger, to one's body, why would someone want to welcome it to their wardrobe?

If I'm expected to pay for it, I prefer to get my money's worth in buying something that will last beyond tomorrow. If it's got scars, I want to appreciate how they were earned.

Are you a lover of distressed clothing? Do you like your own worn out duds, or do you like to buy soft, old things? Or would you rather put your money down on clothes that look new?