Homebodies - How we dress reflects who we are

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Published on Sunday, December 6, 2015

By Rita Friesen

The Neepawa Banner

To those who know me well, and to those who know me a little, you know that I have an appreciation for clothes.  I don’t believe that clothes make the person, but I do believe that how we dress reflects who we are.

My mother maintained that though we may have been lacking excess money, we could be clean. She also taught that the use of pins in place of a proper repair usually indicated one’s lack of attention to details – such improvising in one area of life could denote sloth and deceit. Her thoughts and teachings. 

There are interesting quotes about clothing: Albert Einstein-“If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it.” When did we step away from thinking deep thoughts? Or have we become hesitant to share new and perhaps unusual thoughts? There are modern mystics, thankfully. Deep thoughts beget deep thoughts. It is wonderfully refreshing to converse with an individual that is a step ahead of me in thinking. I learn, I disagree, I grow. I don’t want shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies.

Mark Twain: “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” And “The finest clothing made is a person’s skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this.” Personally I am thankful that society demands something more than this! To a degree, I agree that clothes make the man. But this I know, it is how one wears the clothes that makes the real difference. With attention to style and colour, one can appear taller, more defined and more self-confident. Here, a quote by Anne Petry fits – “A man hasn’t got a corner on virtue just because his shoes are shined.” Right.

One of my sisters views clothing as part costume. She sews most of her outfits and wears them with joy for a season. Another sister wears basic black with colour accents. She is always ready for any situation. I am somewhere in between. I love colour, I appreciate fashion, and my articles of clothing need to go the distance – good for several years. Classic with a bit of an edge. I have learned that comfortable clothing does not need to be sweat suits and knits. Nice clothes are comfortable as well; and when I wear nice clothes, not necessarily expensive clothes, I feel better about myself. I have developed an affection for boots. I feel taller– probably appear taller!- and more confident. These days, when facing a situation that requires an extra dose of inner strength, I wear my red boots! Don’t use that as a thermometer for my emotions, because I wear them for fun as well. I close with a quote “When in doubt, wear red”. ~Bill Blass.