I post this with out comment except to say I did NOT make this, it was emailed to me.
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What a wacky way to start the day.
That's a photo just dying for a caption! Most would not be appropriate for this site.
You are so right about that, Ralphetta. I am purposely omitting the actual caption, but the verbiage in the email said:
Now I ask you...
Who sits and looks at a pair of men's briefs and says hmmmm ...
I can make a nice summer top from these.
On the other hand .. $6 for a three pack is a good price. This was sent to me by one of my high school buds, specifically because she knows I enjoy recycling clothing, and she knew I have an off-center sense of humor.
Was it a bird pecking at the neckline?
I got the same email. Isn't that a hoot?? What some won't do for a little attention, huh?
At least they wern't white.... Cathy
OMG; that is just too funny. Before we know it, Hanes and Fruit of the Loom will be in an advertising contest to see whose ad can sell the most interesting "take offs" ...; sorry, I just couldn't resist a pun here. ;-)
PS: I seem to have the same off-beat, weird sense of humor as JQ! giggle I'm beginning to think that several of us on this board are long, lost sisters ...what with our penchant for sewing, humor ... and ...;-)
I have a vision of what could be done with a pair of socks and a shoelace......tee hee Not that I would ever be caught dead wearing one, in public anyway, tee hee Cathy
Oh my goodness, that is too funny. A pair of mens jocs for a tank top. How over the top is that. People will do anything. LOL
Like someone else said, they aren't white and my thought also was, that's a good brand of mens jocs and the price certainly is right. It should wash and wear well!!!! ATFLOL!
Edited 8/15/2008 9:41 am ET by rodezzy
Those were very IN about 10 years ago (for about 2 weeks), although Hanes was not cool. They were done with Calvin Klein tighty whiteys.
It falls in my category of "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" along with polyester leisure suits and wrap around skirts with appliques of owls or mushrooms.
Berna
Edited 8/15/2008 6:12 pm ET by BernaWeaves
Alas, that must have been one fad I missed, but it seems common sense prevails once again. I'm still snickering about the owl and mushroom appliqués. We are most assuredly on the same wave length.
Edited 8/15/2008 6:25 pm by JunkQueen
Oh - the memories of the owls, mushrooms, leisure suits - usually in brown, orange, olive green & white/off white poly double-knit of the 70s. Those were the days, eh? :)
G.
I had a friend who said she lived in the "cranberry belt." You've heard of the sun belt, the bible belt, etc.? The cranberry belt was that region where men with pot bellies wore cranberry polyester pants with their white shoes and white belts. Soon after leisure suits, I think.
Cranberry Belt? OMG, that's funny! And to make it even funnier for me, I have a picture of my DH in cranberry knit pants. No white belt, white shoes, or pot belly, mind you, but cranberry knit pants, nevertheless. (He also had some baby blue ones he was terribly fond of, too.)I'm thinking the ones you describe are the same ones who wear red speedoes at the beach.
Edited 8/15/2008 11:07 pm by JunkQueen
aaaghhh
I'll bet you're right about the speedo. Yes, I'd forgotten about the powder blue pants!I'm ending my day with a really big laugh.PS I have to admit that my own wardrobe left something to be desired. MY first thought is how "hot" I thought I looked in my platform shoes...until I got in my car and cracked my head really, really hard on the piece above the door. I just stood there reeling in disbelief and puzzlement as the the noise rang in my ears. I had forgotten that I needed to duck an extra inch to compensate for the shoes. Being "hot" is hard work.
Thanks for the giggle! The freckled, sunburned back looks familiar, but thank goodness none of my sisters would go quite that far....
Anyone else wondering what the FRONT looked like?
Please...don't walk me down that garden path.....he he he. The thought is frightening as it is....Cathy
OMG! My grandpa had BOTH powder blue and cranberry poly pants! Not too mention some bugly plaids! My dad's leisure suit was a tasteful gold. (We're just not sure what taste.) I have a girlfriend who has a teenage daughter who plays soccer. The regulations for their state declare that they can't have school-sanctioned practices until school is in session, so some of the older girls on the team organized unofficial practices. Cat took her daughter to one of these "practices" and said, "No way!" Too many boyfriends, not enough clothing on EITHER gender. To make her point stick, she made one of the tighty-whitey tanks and walked into her daughter's room wearing it. "Honey, I love you, but if I EVER hear you went to one of those practices behind my back, I swear I will pick you up at school every day for the rest of the year wearing THIS!" And since the girl knew her mother would really do it, she agreed to wait until official practice begins. Sometimes a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do.
My daughters and their friends think I am a cool mom. I always threatened my girls that if they stepped out of line, I would revert to an uncool mom. I think they were afraid of what that might mean. I'm afraid of what that might mean! Fortunately, I never had to follow through. Before they ever left the house to go somewhere, they had to go for Daddy's Approval. He insisted that his girls (Me included) always dress nicely in attractive, lady like fashion. If I was concerned over a choice, All I asked was " Would Daddy Let You Out Like That?" and they would usually change. No issues over skimpy or revealing attire in our house, they didn't even attempt it. We may not have had a lot of $$, but we certainly made sure we were nicely dressed. My sewing sure helped with that. Cathy
Sounds like our household. We aren't prudes, but we also don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about our girls (we have six). We're down to just one at home now and she's pretty easy to keep on the straight road, she has good friends that we can trust and is very responsible. I know that when she disappears into her room for a few hours, she's just sewing a new dress. She's really into the Olympics, so last night she whipped up a cute new sundress in a couple of hours. She's definitely my seamstress.
Exactly! You are lucky that you have a sewer. Mine are all crafty in other ways. We wanted to foster a good sense of self esteem and be independant. Boy, we sure did that. The young gentlemen that date our girls have their hands full, tee hee and momma is proud. Cathy
Ladies you have blessed me this evening.
My mother passed away (from the earth) recently. Shortly before she died I was at a social event where I was made an off hand comment that until I was about 19, I really did fear my mother. One of the women I was with was horrified. Later I thought about it. I wondered, was I speaking to0 strongly? And I came to the conclusion I did not. I knew-- didn't doubt for a minute-- that my mother would not tolerate me wearing something like that. She was a lovely woman-- very stylish, very ladylike, exceedingly bright, sweetly soft-spoken. But she was a complex woman, and she could go "straight crazy" on us. There were two of us girls and two step daughters. I can't imagine her showing up with this tank on... but I shudder to think what she might have come up with to prove her point!
Most importantly, the fear of "what mom would think or do" kept me from wearing and doing a whole lot of things my peers did.... and it kept me out of some situations that I'm glad I skipped. I confess, I am still trepidatious about leaving the house without a slip on.... "where are you going dressed like that?" And of course, I must LINE everything. Mom was also a seamstress and she passed her love of sewing down to me-- and her notions of what proper young ladies wore outer and under!
So thank you ladies for tonight. For this evening your comments blessed me and made me smile.
Dear CHL, I value my children, and I wanted them to value themselves. Sometimes, it meant that for a time, they hated me. But most of all we love each other and say it often. My girls have grown into lovely, loving, responsible, productive young women, that I am very proud of. I am sure your mother was proud of you too. Cathy
Being a parent is no joke and raising happy, well adjusted adults is no small feat! I applaud you and the mama's like you (and mine), who made the considerable effort to parent their kids rather than be their friends. I loved my mama, and even more so because of some of the limits she placed on me and my activities. She gave me the world of possibilities, but she clearly set down limits... and I knew men's underwear worn outside the home (in any form) is not acceptable for women who want to be taken seriously. You see I even have an issue with our young women who wear the men's boxer shorts during the summer. And the flannel pajamas in the mall, and flip flops anywhere but the beach and the pool. AGGGHHH I'm my mother's daughter "sho-nuff"!
With kids you have to learn early on not to sweat the small stuff, but stick to your guns with the important stuff, like respect, manners, neatness, awareness of others. You have to draw a line somewhere, might as well draw it high. It saddens me that many of their peers do not seem to have the same level of respect and responsibility expected of them. Basic politeness takes you so much further. I have not had trouble with my girls, maybe this is why. Many of their friends parents keep saying they are good influences on their kids. Makes you wonder tho....Cathy
I was reading Cathy and your emails. It brings back memories. My Dad was the one I was afraid of! We were very, very close though. Both my parents had very high moral standards. I'm not my kids' friend either.
I remember when I was about 25 and I was very thin and headed out with black tights, black wool mini-skirt (not really short--a couple of inches above the knees) and a black long sleeved angora sweater that came up above the collarbone in the front and had a small "V" in the back. He freaked out--YOU'RE NOT GOING OUT OF THIS HOUSE DRESSED LIKE A HOOKER! My mom had to calm him down! Hardly all that provocative--virtually no skin was exposed and I had the figure of a coathanger. He'd flip out seeing that "brief" shirt. Makes you wonder what sort of bizarre statement that girl was trying to make--maybe she did it on a bet. My teenagers inherited the "prude" gene from me--they're insanely conservative in their dress. My 17 y.o. son likes dress shirts and slacks.
Growing up I did not have the choice to take chances on wether or not my parents would approve of my clothing choices. An upraised eyebrow was enough to send me scurrying to change. My dad was a police officer, and he was blunt about what was appropriate or Not! We were reminded as kids, that our deportment had an effect on his job, if he couldn't maintain control at home, how could he be expected to in public. I still think it is important for someone to dress well, and I still think it makes a huge difference in how people treat you. Dressing well does not equal expensive either. Cathy
I know some one who works with the public and wears camisoles with her cleavage hanging out-you can see the entire sternum and she's always flirting with the men. She's married and in her 40's. She did that in front of my husband and I was very, very nasty. She covers up and avoids me now. It's hypocritical that all the other women are complaining behind her back and it's fairly quiet me that finally lets rip. It's sort of a pathetic addiction to male attention. She's very full of herself.
ps. I was very well dressed in that outfit--the skirt was from an independent Toronto designer. I was heading out to the clubs not to church. I was into punk at the time. He had even bigger fit a few years earlier when I shaved my hair off. I was actually uber geek as a child--the perfect little nerd with no friends and very high marks. I was always tormented for being tall and flat--in university I found my own voice and learned to be proud of what I looked like. I'd kill to get that figure back now:^(
Funny how we as parents think sometimes. The black outfit was rather chic. Probably too much outside the mould for him at the time. Even tho you were covered, you probably showed too much shape for him!
Now that my girls are young adults, I have to be careful what I say when they go through a style change. One of mine went through a "dumpy" phase in her clothing. I had to try and be encouraging. Her figure did not suit the type of clothing she wanted to wear. She is now wearing a more tailored style that looks SHARP! Yay! My own dad recently told me my hair style better suited a woman of my age. Whatever did he mean by that!?!
Bravo for having the courage to say something to the woman at work. Sometimes being forthright is right. Cathy
Edited 8/28/2008 9:13 am ET by ThreadKoe
My 14 y.o. is in the dumpy t-shirts and jeans phase. That's OK with me. She has a bombshell of a figure (got my mom's figure not mine!) and I'm cool with her covering it right now. I do need to work on getting her to wear more flattering styles, but that can wait. My dad used to criticize me for being too thin and now I'm too fat. No pleasing him.
As long as you and hubby are happy, who cares what dad thinks anymore at our age as long as we are decent hunh? Arn't 14 year olds from another planet or something? All of mine at that age went through a stage where they would only wear about 3 Ts, 2 sweatshirts, 2pr jeans for the whole year. Uggh. At least they would now bathe. I couldn't get them out of the shower! And these were GIRLS! I can't imagine what boys would be like. Cathy
To Jane and to All... this thread seems to be open for our thoughts on "modesty" and I'd like to add mine. The other morning my youngest son who is single and in his 30's, my husband and I went out to breakfast. I was sitting in one side of the booth with my son and I couldn't take my eyes off a young mother with her family (4 children and husband) She was seated directly in my line of vision and I kept thinking: She forgot to take off her nightgown! And Get Dressed! Her 10 yr. old or so daughter right next to her was dressed the same way except she had no cleavage. The mother had to move around a lot to help her children and though she wasn't overly endowed it was quite a display. When I commented on what I was watching my husband's only comment was to ask if I wanted to change places! And my son told me to get a life or something like that! Well, it's true, everyone is wearing cleavage showing tops these days... it's the fashion. Why do I have a problem with it? It has to be that ingrained code I was brought up with, but it bothers me that in order for the street ladies to attract any attention these days their dress is bizarre! I can't wait for fashion to get back to a little more modesty that leaves room for imagination.
can't wait for fashion to get back to a little more modesty that leaves room for imagination.I cannot agree more. I like to dress a little sexy when it is appropriate (date night with DH). I like to dress well when I am out in public. It is hard to find flattering styles for plus sizes. I do not like to wear tents. My daughters complimented me the other day when they told me that one of my friends tried to dress too young. I asked what they meant by that as I sometimes wore similar styles. They said that I always dressed nicely, but the younger stuff I wore was flattering to my figure and I was not trying to be younger than I was. She was going overboard. I guess it is good when they steal the stuff from my closet, as some of it looks good on them oversized. Cathy
To quote a Bruce Cockburn lyric: "the trouble with normal is it always gets worse". You can dress like a common s$%t or you can dress with distinction and class. I would bet that your son would enjoy the view, but I doubt he would have any respect for a woman dressed like that. My mom would've remarked "she had her taste in her mouth". There's always been floozies that dressed sleazily. Cleavage is fine if it's properly supported and not too obvious (and in an appropriate situation)--less is more. My guide book to Paris mentions that one of the writers (an American who had married a Parisien) went to head out to the butcher shop in sweats and her husband was appauled. Her sloppy dress would not be attractive and the butcher would have to look at something that was not nice. A bit extreme but there's something to be said about looking nice for yourself as well as others. Those running around in those flannel pj bottoms really get me. Get dressed for heaven's sake! I actually had a nightmare about showing up for work in my flannel pj's--don't ask me where that came from!
There's a real polarization between extreme immodesty and extreme modesty right now. Reflecting polarization in society, politics etc. I'm sure. I find some of extreme modest dressing for girls a bit creepy too. You should be allowed to look feminine, not ashamed of your body and dressed in a chintz potato sack. Although I did buy two really cute "modest" dress patterns for my 8 y.o. It's really hard to find cute fancy dress patterns over size 8. (Commonsensepatterns.com panel dress and sweetheart/square necked dress with basque waist)
I was shopping with a friend for back to school and was shocked at some of the stuff they were selling for little girls. It was not even proper attire for young women! I thought it was raunchy on 20 somethings, nevermind 6 and 8 year olds! Cathy
When I was little we played "grown-up." At some point kids began to play "teen-ager," seriously. Before long it seemed that everyone started dressing like teen-agers and "adult" became synonymous with dull, boring and fuddy-duddy. The world, TV, movies, clothing...all moderate priced goods revolves around the taste of teenagers. Okay, even a lot of the high-end stuff, too.
No way would I want to be a teenager again. My best figure was in my early twenties. But experience and age has given me confidence in myself I never had then. Would not trade that for my 20 ish figure EVER! I like my grey hair. PS I am only 47 Cathy
I understand, but it does seem that marketing people have chosen that as the ideal age...5 year old girls shaking their booty like the pop stars and high fashion designers featuring shapeless waifs. I think there are a whole lot of people, unlike you, who long for those days. I watched a woman of about 60 trying on flip-flops yesterday. She had gray hair in a teeny-bobber style, a tank top and a poplin skirt that extended about 4 inches past her rear. She had belly and legs of someone her age. She casually bent one knee across the one she was standing on so she could slip the shoe on. I really didn't need to see the underwear crotch of a mini-skirted woman of ANY age. Sometimes I think I'm the only sane person left in North America.
Edited 8/29/2008 7:56 pm ET by Ralphetta
I think what you saw would have given me nightmares for a week! But you are right, marketing has pushed a certain age as the "ideal", probably because they figure that is where the most disposable (irresponsible?) income is. Too bad some of the others think they have to keep up with that image. Cathy
The visuals going through my mind on that one are awesome. I was one of four girls. No brothers, yet we still were not allowed to walk through the house in just a bra and CERTAINLY not a bra and panties. Much less showing cleavage to the outside world. I recall a pair of lime green short shorts that had a band on the legs and the double-D rings where you could pull it tight. I thought they were very stylish in that they barely covered my butt -- about 1955 - '56..... My dad got one look at them on me, and I had to take them off and never saw them again. My mother was a talented seamstress who sewed almost all our clothes and she had impeccable taste. We didn't have much chance to wear inappropriate clothing. I cringe at some of the things I see now. I appreciate the direction and discipline from my parents.
Ralphetta, I saw a woman like yours a couple of weeks ago. She looked to be in her late 70s or 80s - very wrinkled & saggy. It was a very hot day, so she had on white short shorts, white low-cut tank top with no bra under & a fairly large rose tattoo on one boob, & she was wearing white cowboy boots & a white cowboy hat atop a long blonde ponytail. Of course, her roots were grey & they were about 3". I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Yikes!!! I suspect that the old dude with her thought she was 'hot'! :)
I agree with you about the little girls - I've even seen 3-yr.-olds wearing sequinned crop tops, low-rider skirts & showing off for company by pretending they are rock stars 'shaking their booties' - again, Yikes!!! Their parents just laughed & said, "Isn't she cute?" What is that child going to look like/be like by the time she reaches puberty? Modesty has certainly fallen by the wayside in recent years.
G.
euckkkk! That makes mine sound like a fashionplate!
No kidding - maybe they are related!
G.
Perhaps yours and Ralphetta's encounters were with women who subscribe to the notion that when they are old that shall wear purple..... Mind boggling, isn't it?
I don't think so. The poem about wearing purple in old age is the basis of the Red Hat Society - & that group always dresses up in red & purple. Nothing at all like Ralphetta's & my older women - I think ours just had no taste, didn't know better (or didn't care what anyone thought of them), dressed for their own comfort or just felt younger than they really were (or thought they looked younger). We will never know, but it's a good example for us, eh? :)
Gloria
I've been reading this thread ...instead of sewing with one (blush) ...no wonder I don't have my reunion clothes done.
Anyway, here's my 2-cents worth: I was raised that "you are to be a lady ...no matter your age". That meant: ALWAYS wear a full slip; carry a handkerchief (linen, no less ...not cotton), and never, but never get your ears pierced. Only the "ladies of the night" have their ears pierced.
Well my friends; I finally got my ears pierced when I was in my mid to late 30's, because those "regular" earrings pinched my ears so much that I got terrible headaches. I laugh now, because I was terrified to visit my parents with those newly pierced ears. LOL! Talk about conservative! Still, as I laugh about it now, I am so very grateful to have had the wonderful, loving, responsible, and respectable parents that I had. My dad was always my hero, and my mother was my role model.
Oh, yes ...when they saw the pierced ears, my dad just laughed and mumbled something ...I never asked what he said ...but he was laughing - so it was OK. ;-)
My grandmother felt the same way about pierced earrings, until Grampa got her a nice pair of diamonds, for her 80th birthday. She changed her mind in a hurry! Cathy
Oh, Sewslow, you've taken me back! I had the same problem with clip-on earrings, but I wasn't allowed to get my ear pierced until I was 16 (so I wouldn't look 'cheap', of course) - & absolutely no dangly earrings. I also was not allowed to wear lipstick until I was 16 (and it had to be the Tangee brand that looked orange in the tube, but changed colour to match your skin), or eye shadow until I was 18 & then it had to be barely noticeable. I also had several full slips - an absolute must with skirts or dresses. I have only 1 now. Time have definitely changed :)
G.
You're going to laugh at this ...but I still wear full slips and don't even own a half slip. That said, it's not because of "the rules", but because I find the full slips more comfortable. It seems like the half ones just add more bulk around my middle and, at this stage in life, I don't feel like I need it. Now then ...if I could just add the bulk to my flat little bum, that would be a real asset; tee hee, so to speak. ;-)
We are kindered spirits. Not because I wear full slips, but because I'm always conscious of things that might add weight, etc., and little things that might make a differenc. I've had way too many people roll their eyes as if I was being ridiculous. It's so nice to find someone else with that attitude. When I'm wearing RTW shirts tucked in, I always put darts front and back to reduce bulk.
I don't own a half slip, either - & I used to have scads of them when I was young. I just don't wear skirts & dresses very often. You're right, though - a full slip is more comfortable for me, too. As for the needed bulk in your wee bum, you could get a little panty girdle with the added bum cheeks :). I don't know what they'd feel like to wear, though. Just a thought :) :)
G.
Your suggestion of a girdle with added "bum cheeks" makes me laugh, as it brings back memories of my mother when she was about my age. We used to tease her (and now I feel a bit guilty about that) because she was perfectly flat in the rear.
Well ...she decided to try one of those padded girdles and it turned out to be a riot. She wore it (for the first time, yet) to some event up at the college where she was to be recognized, and when she stood up, she though her "bum" was going to drop to her ankles! She was understandably horrified!
Now then ...you have to understand that my mother was truly a "Portrait of a Lady"; she was petite, fine boned, gentle (I never, ever, heard her raise her voice), always had "perfect hair", lovely hands and nails ...etc. etc. So when she felt her little rubber bum, sliding down the backs of her thighs, she nearly passed out. Of course, she was a remarkably reserved, and just sat down quickly, and inferred that, what she was recognized for was (and I quote) "not that significant", and stating that "the applause was just 'too much'". But when we all got to the car, being the good sport that she was, she joined us in hysterical laughter.
As for my dad, who loved to give her a pat every time he walked by her: His only comment was that: "if I wanted to grab a piece of rubber, I'd still be playing basketball"!!!
Needless to say, that was the only time she wore that padded girdle.
Oh, that was funny! I have to feel sorry, though, for your mom, as that would have felt really weird & being the center of attention, she would also have been embarrassed (probably nobody else noticed, though). Was the girdle so loose that it was actually sliding down?? Or did it just feel like it & 'funny'? I can certainly understand her not wearing it again, anyway. I think they would feel strange when you'd sit down, eh? Thanks for sharing this story :)
How is the sewing coming along? Will your outfit be ready on time? When do you leave for your reunion? Enjoy your day.
Gloria
We would have felt sorry for her too, but we didn't know what was going on until we got back to the car. She actually didn't say anything until I had pressed her several times as to "why didn't you just stay standing and enjoy the recognition"? At that point, she started laughing, and then explained. I think that we all felt we could laugh with her, because she was laughing so hard.
It's funny though, about my figure "flaws" at this age; my body is aging just exactly like my mothers, and I have the same issues that she did, although we have different health challenges ...and I am clearly not the "lady" all the time that she was. My goodness ...I'm not sure anyone is these days. For example, she never wore jeans, and I never saw her in sweats, a t-shirt, or a sweat shirt ...even when she was in her garden. I simply adored her, in every way ...and still miss her something fierce.
PS: Oh yes, the reunion: We leave on Wednesday and I have just a little more sewing to do and then I'm done. I didn't get all done that I'd planned, but from what I understand, it won't matter anyway. Most events are "oh, so very casual", so all will be fine. I'll take pics to share sometime after we return.
Edited 9/1/2008 6:29 pm by sewslow67
It has been said that we turn into our mothers as we age. I think it's happening to me, too, as I see glimpses now & then.
My mother, too, did not wear jeans, sweats or T-shirts - she even refused to wear sweats when she was old, cold & not feeling well. She did wear longish shorts & housedresses when gardening. The rest of the time it was dress pants & fancy blouses or sweaters, always jewelry, & dressy clothing when she went out. She made most of her own clothing & everthing always fitted perfectly, even though she didn't have a dress form. Amazing (to me)! I'll always have fitting issues & I certainly don't dress up around the house.
Oh, you're leaving already the day after tomorrow! Have a safe trip & a very good time. We'll await your pics.
Gloria
Sewslow -- I am so excited for you. I just know you are going to have a wonderful time. Be sure to give us a blow by blow account. And watch out for those old boyfriends.......
I am speechless...
It does have that effect on one, doesn't it? I am with Teaf5 in wondering what it looks like in front, but ignorance is probably really bliss in this instance.
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