Monday, December 12, 2016

WHITE SLACKS THEORY


Rerun from 2009

The friend I wrote about early in my blogging career surprised me with a phone call out of the blue the other day and brought to mind a post I had done about her years ago. She was one smart cookie and I am posting the rerun just in case this handy theory could fit your life.



Fran is a dear friend I met while in Florida, who always dressed that at any moment, a fashion shoot might be called and she wanted to be ready. Her idea of "casual" was white slacks, chocolate silk blouse, gold chains, sandals or heels, dangle ear rings and perfect coiffure. She is very consistent in her dress and only rarely have I seen her less than "modelesque."   Winter white kept her seasonal.

My fashion sense comes more under the category of camping ready, "lets go hiking," or "are the horses saddled?" A wide fashion gap however did not prevent us from being good friends. We now live in different states but try to stay in touch. She is better at it than I.

Fran was always the first to offer to help you move, put in a garden, or slay the rabbits. You read that last part right.   I briefly raised rabbits for food and I emphasize briefly for it was the slaying part that got me. What was I thinking?? Murder a bunny??? Good grief. 

Anyway, quick to offer Fran, per-usual showed up for the bunny killing dressed in white for my first and only slaughter.  Her white attire didn't save her from the slaying though for I had bought her a neck to ground apron for that occasion. Sometimes you just had to out think her.

Though always quick to offer to help, the lady in white was never asked to haul a wheel barrow of compost to the garden. That lady wasn't asked to handle dirty boxes on moving day, nor would the lady in white to be asked to do anything that might get her dirty. I mean, that would be very rude. Instead, she naturally became a pretty effective supervisor.

We knew each other quite a while before she confided her secret. Fran hated physical work. She came upon the wearing of the white by accident and when she saw how it eliminated her from any work detail it became her signature garb. Her attitude was if you dressed grubby (kind of how I dressed) then you were expected to jump right in the dirt pile. White was right.

Have to admit I have sometimes wished that I could adopted her "white slacks theory." Especially when I know a friend is expecting help with a really nasty job. It just eliminates any need for excuses and doesn't every job need a supervisor? I never could pull it off though.  Guilt complex. 

You are welcome to adopt the white slacks theory any time you want. It does work marvelously and no one really thinks you are a slacker--- just that you are totally lacking in sense of what is appropriate wear. Most of us can live with that.

40 comments :

  1. Oh, Patti, this is wonderful! I don't think I'll adopt it, though, because no matter how hard I tried, those white slacks would be covered with dirt and then stains. Love the story, and I am feeling MUCH better today, BTW. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Djan,
      Thanks and wonderful news that you are feeling better. Ha ha, you are right. Active people should avoid white.

      Delete
  2. There was a time that the idea would have been great for me. However, now I just say "No". After a lifetime of volunteering I have finally been able to decline projects unless they truly interest me. Also I can do it without guilt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie,
      Me too today. My bad back is as good as a pair of white slacks any day.

      Delete
  3. Love the 'white slacks' theory but my wardrobe sounds more like yours. Being retired means I can wear whatever I like and I don't care what anyone thinks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fun60,
      Isn't it great we can just relax these days and be comfortable?

      Delete
  4. That's a great theory, but fo me those slacks would be dirty before I could use them as an excuse.

    It's going to take me a while to get the image of a bunny slaughter out of my head.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. joeh,
      Trust me, it has been 35 years and I am still not over it. That was my first and last effort of growing animals for my table.

      Delete
  5. This might work for women, but I don't wearing white slacks would get me out of work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen,
      It does work best for women but I have had guys show up on moving day over dressed and assuming supervisor roles.

      Delete
  6. I like her idea! I'll try to remember it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi There, NO WHITE slacks for me.... I dress comfy these days --and seldom even wear make-up... I don't feel 'frumpy' or dirty though ---just happy and comfy....

    I had a good friend in Texas who wouldn't even walk out to her mailbox unless she had her make-up on and her hair all in perfect place... My thoughts about that: GADS..... ha ha

    I published a blog post today--so check it out when you have time.

    Hugs and Merry Christmas,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betsy,
      Me too. My grandmother was like your friend. She wouldn't leave her room in the house until properly girdled and powdered:))

      Delete
  8. That's one smart lady!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have some white slacks, but they are only for dress up occasions. I'm a worker. My age and my back are my excuses for saying no.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda R,
      Me too on white slacks for dress up. My go to garb. My back takes care of the nasty stuff also.

      Delete
  10. I almost missed my monday morning chuckle! The image of slaughtering rabbits in white slacks with a neck to ground apron is rich.

    I have found that when I wear my white jeans, my food seems to find its way there. How does that happen? I kinda like sticking to my regular blue jeans, keeping it casual of course!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole,
      Glad you enjoyed the image. She was totally shocked when I produced the apron.
      I do love wearing white though and so far have been lucky.

      Delete
  11. I wish I'd read this twenty years ago. I could have offered it to my mother as the perfect solution for her reluctance to have anything to do with the outdoors. One reason she liked her roses was that, after they were planted, she didn't have to get close to the dirt to prune them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. shoreacres,
      It would have been the perfect out for your Mom. She was right about the roses. They let you stand up to tend.

      Delete
  12. Guess there is always a time and place for white pants besides playing in the marching band.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Belva,
      Hadn't thought about it but you are so right. White is always right for marching bands:)) I do love to wear it though for dress up. Perhaps I should have taken up the flute in school.

      Delete
  13. My fashion sense runs more to the "let's go out and dig in the garden" end of things so that explains so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Olga,
      Me too which might explain always being tapped for scut work:)

      Delete
  14. I avoid white because I can never stay out of dirt! I never thought of it as a defensive measure. Delightful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gail,
      Ha, ha, certainly not around the farm, You would be the type to jump in and help anyway.

      Delete
  15. I love white pants but only wear them occasionally anymore. Never thought about wearing them to escape work. Smart friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheryl,
      Me too, they are my signature garb but not to get out of work.I only wear them for dress up

      Delete
  16. I think I can safely say without it being a white lie that I have never owned a pair of white slacks. Ever! LOL! Good idea though to get out of the grubby work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terri,
      Ha ha, they really aren't ranch ready. I only wear them for dress up now days.

      Delete
  17. I could never pull it off now but, for a brief time (3 years in NY City in the late 50's)I loved it ! Now it's Thrift Store "finds" !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ginnie,
      You must have been quite stylish in NY. Anymore mine are often white but white capris from Walmart.

      Delete
  18. I once had a pair of white dress pants in high school and everyone asked me if I was trying to be Don Johnson off of Miami Vice lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keith,
      Ah yes, Don Johnson. He was quite the fashion setter. Loved the look then.

      Delete
    2. Keith,
      Ah yes, Don Johnson. He was quite the fashion setter. Loved the look then.

      Delete
  19. Wow. The white slacks theory never entered my mind but I'm going to put it to use now that I know. I have several pairs of white slacks but they are all casual and I don't wear them often. Hum. I'm going to rethink this. LOL. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. All I own are jeans and none of them white.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Too wonderful! I could wear black and still stain it. Sheesh! Especially here in Hawaii.

    ReplyDelete

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