Culture Shock
This happened three weeks ago.
I was sitting in the sun with some class mates - younger people - just kicking words around, when I somehow mentioned that I liked sewing clothes. Enthusiastically they asked me what I had made recently.
I looked down at my perfectly fitting new trousers, chocolate-coloured, of a solid material with a nice feel that would last years, their workmanship beautiful... "This," I said, gesturing down.
They saw plain brown trousers, somewhat baggy. Their faces fell.
I was sitting in the sun with some class mates - younger people - just kicking words around, when I somehow mentioned that I liked sewing clothes. Enthusiastically they asked me what I had made recently.
I looked down at my perfectly fitting new trousers, chocolate-coloured, of a solid material with a nice feel that would last years, their workmanship beautiful... "This," I said, gesturing down.
They saw plain brown trousers, somewhat baggy. Their faces fell.
posted by theamazingcatherine | 11:15 am
11 Comments:
Gosh. Thanks for that. (True though.)
Umm... well, Cat, I think they value different things in clothing than you do.
Like they would probably value how flattering the clothing is to your figure whereas you probably value how comfortable they are.
Now if you fitted the pants around your hips a bit more and tapered them down then legs then you would look great!
As a father with a growing daughter fashion and culture shock is a perplexing subject that I have pondered over more than once.
In the world of fashion when a unique piece of clothing is created, not an off the rack designer chic, the value of that clothing article is priceless.
With such uniqueness and personal tailoring, designer outfits go for thousands in fashion boutiques.
It is possible that your class mates simply felt a little jealous over your own designer one off, chocolate coloured, well sewed, slightly baggy, and personally tailored creation. Or they just simply have no personal fashion sense and let others dictate what they should wear, comfortable or not.
As for culture shock, some of the outfits being worn in winter are shocking. It is hard to believe that thin cotton tops along with low rider jeans can keep anyone warm. No wonder there was an flu epidemic throughout winter.
Mike
"Umm... well, Cat, I think they value different things in clothing than you do."
Ned, that was the point of the story.
"It is possible that your class mates simply felt a little jealous over your own designer one off, chocolate coloured, well sewed, slightly baggy, and personally tailored creation."
Well, they're a lot baggy. Comfy as hell, I'm sure, and very well sewn, but the craftmanship (craftwomanship?) isn't really obvious except to the person wearing them. Not a common style right now, anyway.
Thanks a lot, Steph
I think there may have been a problem with interpretation, as my above comment was meant as a complement, with no sarcasm intended.
With a personal fashion sense of limited to black clothing and dark gray, perhaps in future I should avoid commenting on feminine fashion.
Mike
Oh my, Catherine! I do hope you weren't talking about us! I happen to personally love those pants you made and am vey impressed you can sew so deftly, I can't even hand-sew anything....and I too favour comfort over fashion, although tend to wear more flattering clothes when seen in public ie 2 days a week! You should see what I wear at home! It's pink corduroy baggy pants and gumboots!
Oops. Yes, I, um, was.
I was mostly laughing at my extreme unfashionability though - it took a while to get myself into matching colours. At least I comb my hair before going out these days!
I'd love to see the gumboots and pink cords ensemble.
I once had a similar experience, I'd made everything I was wearing except my belt buckle and buttons. I remember thinking "note to self - must make belt buckles and buttons next time!"
"I think there may have been a problem with interpretation, as my above comment was meant as a complement, with no sarcasm intended."
Oh, I know it was a compliment. It's just you haven't seen the trousers. You'd be hard put to find them in a ready-made clothes shop. They're not a common style, right now, and close detailed sewing doesn't show up very well when the style is loose, as they are.
Hi Jo,
I'm Cat's evil twin sister. Pleased to meet you.
Steph
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