Closet Cleaning

From first grade until I graduated from high school I had to wear a uniform. A green jumper, a white blouse and knee socks from first to sixth grade. Since I remained the same size for those six years my jumper was shiny and thread bare. In seventh and eighth grade the girls donned a green plaid skirt instead of the jumper. In high school I wore blue plaid. Not very fashionable but it eliminated the dilemma of what outfit to wear five days a week. The only item not mandatory was shoes. Thus my obsession with shoes grew. What’s your excuse?

Remember in the 1950s babies were born with those stiff white high top shoes? Well in the 1960s every female child wore orthopedic Buster Brown T-strap shoes. For some reason, a tantrum most likely, my mother purchased red patent leather shoes for me. Now if you haven’t guessed I attended Catholic schools taught by nuns. Black patent leather shoes were forbidden. You know, the boys would see your underwear in their shiny reflection. Then they would be tempted by impure thoughts and go straight to Hell. Red? Not so much. The boys would spend some time in Purgatory.

I loved my festive fiery footwear with my green uniform. I looked like Christmas every day. And they had a really wonderful feature. I could buckle the strap over my ankle or the strap could swing back around your heel, so they would convert to slip-on pumps. My shoes were the only unique item in my wardrobe during elementary school and they made me feel special.

Now I have closets full of clothing and shoes. You will not find one thing plaid on the racks. But I still own a pair of red patent leather shoes that refused to go in the bag for Good Will.