Developing my clothes sense

The winter coat that looked like a bathrobe

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

I'M no fashionista or sophisticate when it comes to clothing. I use clothes that are available for me. I have no preference at all.

Any clothes that I am comfortable wearing especially jeans and shirts makes my life easy because it's most convenient for the kind of work that I did most of my adult life. 

My work entails reporting on fires, accidents, court rulings and anything seconds or minutes after it happened. As such I spend my time mostly in the streets and it would be inappropriate or inconvenient for me to wear skirts and blouses if you know what I mean. 

There was a slight change actually when I faced the TV cameras. But still my wardrobe was practically the same. I just wore a blazer or long sleeved polo and there were no shots of me below the legs.

So this is my story; in the Philippines, sizes come in small, medium, large, extra-large or by their initials S, M, L and XL. When I came to the US, I wasn't sure anymore as the sizes of the clothes changed or the size standards that I was used to back home.

I bought this upper blouse sized ¾ that I liked because it is flappy. The cloth was soft and it was on sale (never mind the name of the store, that's another story).  I've been using it for a long time, even in my paralegal class. 

It was only lately when I did the laundry that I discovered that the “upper” is a sleepwear. Que barbaridad; I still found  it funny. Lately, I developed this habit to read the labels of clothes before I threw them to the machine. 

Until now I still can't get over my shock at being told what my blouse was. And I couldn't believe that I have been using this when I go out, shameless me. Now I know why some people I talk to have this questioning look in their eyes.

Or was I just dreaming when I saw those impressions?  I also have another long-sleeved blouse whose color I liked and the material was 100 percent cotton or so its label said. 

A neighbor told me “Oh I like your blouse.” And then I also discovered at the same time that the blouse is also a sleepwear.

Last week there was a grand sale on Target and everyone would be tempted really because sales in the US are quite good. I bought a good jacket at 50 percent off because of the cold weather. 

It was one of the jackets I was eyeing before and I knew the original price tag on it.  When I was already in church, it just dawned on me; “Oh God this might be a bath robe” because of the kind of tie at the back which is similar to my old bath robe. I nearly panicked--the third time around would be too much for me.

After church I took the jacket off inside the car even if it was bitter cold and read the label. I heaved a sigh of relief when it says it was a winter jacket.    

Also before, I usually get a small size or a size 12 because I know my size; but the sister-in-law of hubby Ronnie, Doris Dennis and cousin Pam Dennis told me that usually small women should get a size 12 P.P, with P standing for Petite. 

Now I know. There are some reasons why I get myself into these predicaments. I can't read that well (blame it on age) especially if the print is so small. 

You cannot read the fine print if it is made from China (which isn't really made by China anyway) El Salvador, Vietnam, Indonesia or Bangladesh and sometimes if I am lucky, made from the Philippines.

I'm not ashamed to share this story with you. On the contrary, I think it would help so you won't have to suffer the same fate I had with clothing.