I've been included in a Minnesota anthology "Under Purple Skies", now available on Amazon!

My second chapbook, "The Second Book of Pearl: The Cats" is now available as either a paper chapbook or as a downloadable item. See below for the Pay Pal link or click on its cover just to the right of the newest blog post to download to your Kindle, iPad, or Nook. Just $3.99 for inspired tales of gin, gambling addiction and inter-feline betrayal.

My first chapbook, I Was Raised to be A Lert is in its third printing and is available both via the PayPal link below and on smashwords! Order one? Download one? It's all for you, baby!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

I Just Keep Thinking of Those Gauchos


Some things never go out of style. A black pencil skirt, for example. Buy a good lined skirt, try not to gain any weight, and you’re going to get a lot of use out of it.

But some things kinda came and went, didn’t they? Is there a Nehru jacket in your closet? A dashiki? A pair of gauchos? (Which amuses me to this day, as I believe a “gaucho” is Spanish for “cowboy”, in which case I may not have a pair of gauchos in my closet but would certainly entertain the idea of adopting a couple – for altruistic purposes, of course.)

I told someone once that I would wholeheartedly endorse a work uniform; and I’m still up for it. Hell – I’m thinking of doing it without it being a requirement. Would anyone notice if I were to, say, come in to work every day in a blue skirt, a white blouse, and maybe a scarf around my neck, just for a bit of “look-how-I’ve-dressed-this-up” jauntiness?

But it’s not just clothing. Even foods seem to have eras. At one time in the U.S. every fast food joint had a “potato bar”. Chili on your tater? Cheese? Sour cream? Jellied eel? Hey!  Just how much crap can you pile on a baked potato, anyway?

That reminds me:  when was the last time we had fondue? Don’t you think it’s time?

We get bored, I think. How else to explain that this year’s “teal” is different than last year’s “aquamarine” or that the square-toed sturdiness of a Birkenstock differs from the square-toed sturdiness of a pair of Börns?

Or maybe it’s not boredom. Maybe it’s the need to be able to judge others based solely on having the right shade of blue on. Or maybe it’s a way of generating year-over-year profit.

Either way, I’m thinking a nice, proletariat “work uniform” never goes out of style.

31 comments:

fmcgmccllc said...

I had a pair of gauchos, from Sears, and wore them to death. They were a favorite. Loved them. Brown and orange and rust plaid worn with a rusty turtleneck and short boots. Goodness, I was gorgeous.

Dawn@Lighten Up! said...

I had my gauchos in . . . 1st grade? Maybe 2nd grade? Ah, those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end.

Jeanie said...

I think work uniforms are a great idea.....and I think gauchos should be a part of the uniform.

Sioux Roslawski said...

I made my mother sew me a gaucho pant and bolero jacket outfit out of a plastic-like snakeskin fabric in red, black, gray and cream. It was horrendous-looking once it was finished. That was when I was 11 or so.

And I STILL miss the Nehru jacket I had when I was 12...

wellfedfred said...

potato skins as an appetizer never quite made it as a classic either.

I do miss those tailored almost collarless jackets, though,

Anonymous said...

Remember crepes? Crepes had a moment. You know, if you do adopt the blue skirt, white blouse, and scarf look, and you hang out at the airport after work, you might just find yourself on a flight to the land of the Gauchos. You'll have to hand out a few bags of peanuts,perhaps, but it will totally be worth it if it helps you find the perfect pair of Gauchos. For altruistic purposes only. Of Course.

Saimi said...

Hey Im all about it! I have what I call my "preschool' clothes. After spending all day in an environment where i'm being coughed on, sneezed on, wiping bottoms, and handling paint - I have clothing that I can wash and wear over and over again. I dress for preschool, put in my day then come home, shower and change.

Anonymous said...

Work uniforms are a super idea...but...how hard would it be to find articles of clothing that look good on all body types. I did, however, have my own 'uniform' when I worked.....elastic waisted pants/t-style pullovers and low heeled shoes....comfy yet business acceptable.You could indeed 'dress it up' with jewellery/scarves/jackets. Haven't worn them since I retired. Now my uniform is elastic waisted blue jeans and t shirts and bare feet whenever possible.

Agent 54 said...

I don't wear Gauchos.

Joanne Noragon said...

You've made me wish for seersucker again. I had a fabulous, form fitting, button from bottom to top blue and white seersucker dress back in the day. '62, I believe. The student union when quiet when I walked in, the my friends were hollering Over Here, Over Here. Probably wanted to tell me about buttoning up.

Watson said...

Blue skirt and white blouse - hmmmm - sounds like Catholic school uniform. Maybe ok for work, but afterward - bring on the gauchos in plaid

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I would rather wear a Gaucho at work than the short and tie I have to wear every day lol.

Unknown said...

I still have a pair of palazzo pants, because sexy still might still come back with the heel of it's Candie's shoe stuck in the hem.

It could happen.

I really should have worn my Dr.Scholl's

raydenzel1 said...

I was thinking of a Eastern stewardess's look !

Geo. said...

Check the estancias and barrancas. Listen for ranchera music. Hard to be sure you've got all the gauchos out of your closet.

Launna said...

Gauchos, they were the worst... hahaha... When you started talking about baked potatoes, I instantly thought of cheese fondue... then you brought it up... lol...

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I love uniform. No planning needed. Mine's all white. white from inside to outer.

Am dreading having to make colour choices again... YAM xx

jenny_o said...

Gaucho pants have been an affront to my senses BOTH times I've lived through their popularity. oohhh I'm getting all steamed up just thinking about them :)

Gigi said...

Gauchos were never flattering on me - so I hope they never come back in style. But by golly, a potato bar sounds pretty darn good right about now.

maurcheen said...

We (the Band) all wear black suits to work. They come in handy for funerals too, do you KNOW how much pall-bearers make? :¬)

Indigo Roth said...

Fondue? Overdue.

As for the gauchos? Hussy! x

Linda O'Connell said...

Elastic waist pants...I don't care what color. And uhmm Pearl, he did have a grip on something in his hand...his hat, you silly girl.

HermanTurnip said...

I remember the potato fad. My dad was big on that kick. Every day it was potatoes with bacon. Potatoes with guacamole. Potatoes with pirogi. Potatoes with dill and dressing. It was potatoes this and potatoes that. For months.

So glad that that nightmare finally ended. But even now, decades later, I can still remember that it takes 8 minutes to cook a potato in the microwave. That bit of knowledge will never leave me.

Connie said...

Work uniforms would certainly take care of the "what do I wear today?" dilemma.

Rose L said...

I think you should have a uniform of a nehru jacket, a peace sign necklace with a few beads, gaucho pants with purple leg warmers. And wear flowers in your hair! I think retro is in, right?????
And I want a photo.

middle child said...

Not to change the subject or anything but I am just waiting for "them" to run out of those cutesy names they have for nail polish. Seriously. Have you ever tried to buy a bottle of polish call red? I mean...just RED?

BTW, my Nehru jacket was Black. Just black. Not midnight or licorice or star light or....

imbeingheldhostage said...

I could really back you if you decided to start a campaign to bring fondue back. I love me some dipping!

One thing I don't miss is shoulder pads. If I had known in the 80s that my shoulders would eventually grow their own padding, I would have gladly shown off my bony shoulders while I could.

River said...

I have no idea what gauchos look like, but I like the idea of a work uniform. On the weekends when you dress up you could walk right past those snooty office people and they wouldn't even recognise you.

The uniform could be as simple as everyone wearing the same items in the same colour, but in a style that suits them. For instance skirts, any style you fancy as long as it is black. And a decent length. Shirt? Ditto, but white. And not a t-shirt.

the walking man said...

I have only American work utilities in my closets T shirts that I got for free and multiple pairs of jeans that have only partially ripped pockets. Though I do have two pair of black Velcro shoes that are middlin uniformistic.

jabblog said...

Chairman Mao-style uniform? I bet even then some would have 'designer' togs in Mao-style.

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

Oh, the gauchos from our past! I knew two. Brothers. Really cute!