Inside Clothes

I read an old post on another blog wherein the author discussed having clothing worn only "inside" and not for public appearances. I have done a version of this all my life. When I was little, we had "play clothes" that we put on after coming home from school. I recall my mother saying things like "go change into your play clothes so you don't ruin your school clothes" and then it was "change out of your church clothes and into your play clothes, and hang up your good clothes please." Once I had kids, it was a certainty that I was not doing all the domestic stuff in clothing I'd later wear to the grocery store or downtown. I think this kept certain clothing from wearing out too quickly, getting stained by food, cleaning materials, or glue from whatever project I was doing with the kids. In the "olden days" my mother wore an apron, something I don only for serious cooking projects. You will often find me at home with a dish towel slung over one shoulder, but no waist-tied aprons for me.

I have to say that I love soft, comfortable clothing, the feeling of being unrestricted. I cannot wait to get home and into my inside clothes, including my jammies. In fact, at some point in each day, I declare "it's jammie time," and go get into the most comfy clothing of all. Now I admit that my inside clothes and jammies are not sloppy, disheveled or the like. But they are not clothes I'd wear to church or a school board meeting or poetry group. My neighbor has often stated that I look "put together" when she drops by for tea or a visit. I was thinking about this yesterday and discussing this with a friend at a party. She suggests it might be that I wear jewelry all the time, no matter whether I am at home or out and about. Hmmm. I also wear makeup. It has just been a habit I've gotten into I guess, like brushing teeth, washing face,etc. I just do these things. I don't think my husband and/or family deserves any less than the general public. I want to look good even when being "at home" and "comfortable. So I have good jammies, nice t-shirts, and wear makeup and jewelry and perfume no matter what. I remember a song from the late 60s or early 70s "Wives and Lovers" where the singer admonishes the listener that "wives should always be lovers too, so run to the door whenever he comes home to you." I make an effort to look my best even when not wearing my best.

I add to the mix here that I do not wear shoes inside. First of all, I am uncomfortable having my feet restrained. UGH. I also do not think that shoes which are worn outside in the yard or on the street are appropriate inside because of all that gets "brought in" on the bottoms of them. I remove my shoes in the hallway and go barefooted or else wear slippers (only in cold weather!) I have often thought of having a basket of slippers (the knit footie kind) at the door so people who come in can be comfortable and no "icky stuff" will come in to my house on their feet. Is this obsessive? I guess not since I don't do that. But I am sure not going to wear MY shoes in the house.

What does this idea of inside clothes have to do with writing? Maybe nothing at all. But I have a hunch that how comfortable I am contributes to mood, which certainly does affect my writing.

Here's a challenge:

1. respond to this poet with your ideas about inside clothes

2. write a poem about YOUR clothes

Enough for today. I need to get out of my jammies and go downtown to do a little Christmas shopping.