Sunday, May 24, 2009

WAG, part 13

“WAG #13:Dress for Success” Thanks to Peter Spalton for the topic idea! For this week, find yourself a stranger (Yes, we’re all turning into a bunch of WAG stalkers!) Notice what the person is wearing, and then imagine the process they went through getting dressed. Peter suggests: Add lots of detail so we understand what sort of person they are and where they’re going after they’re ready.

Okay- back to the mall for me...

She searched the tiny over-stuffed closet of her trailer and pulled out three pair of black pants. One had pockets on the thighs. One pulled on with an elastic waistband and the third was a bad imitation of a pair of jeans. It was Saturday and she would be busy so she choose the pull on pair. With so many kids coming into work on Saturday, this was a pair that was ugly, but indestructible. She had four white shirts but she hadn't gone to the laundrymat yet and so only one was clean. Without much thought, she tugged the shirt on over her head and tied the tiny straps in the back. It was a pinafore design with detailed stitching around the yoke, high puffed sleeves and the ties gave it the appearance of a smock. She brushed the worn cotton fabric down over the elastic waistband of her jersey knit pants. It was good enough--clean and met her work dress code. She bent down and retrieved black sneakers. Her one spurge, but when you were on your feet for eight hours straight it was important to have good support. Digging a pair of thin socks from the plastic drawer set that served as her dresser, she sat down on the built in bed and put on her socks and shoes. A quick brush through her thick unruly brown hair with a blue streak, then a dab of red lipstick and she was ready for her day. Grabbing her faux leather purse and the keys of her old Pontiac, she headed out the door, hoping and praying she wouldn't be late. The beauty shop owner would dock her pay if she was and that was something she couldn't afford...not if she wanted to eat next week.

To read and follow all the other great WAG blogs click on Nixy Valentine's blog. She has the links to all the participants and instructions on how to join wag. Come join us. It's great fun! Cheers-

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I liked the details you incorporated. Very realistic.

Cheers.

Elizabeth Haysmont said...

I could see it perfectly and really tugged my heartstrings. Nice details without any kind of drag. Showing her poverty, not telling.

Anonymous said...

I could feel this woman's struggles and how tired she was. Nice piece

J. M. Strother said...

Nice piece, Nancy. You captured the struggles of the working poor perfectly. I felt great empathy for her, and hope she got some great tips.
~jon

Paige Jeffrey said...

I used to work in retail, and it's unbelievable what I had to do to find a pair of black shoes that were both comfortable to wear for eight hours on one's feet and within the price range of a minimum wage (or near to it) paycheque.

I was really able to relate to it, made me think of my days there too. :)

Frances said...

Reading this made me feel really sad, especially when you told us that the lady worked in a beauty store. She spends her day serving people with things that she can't afford for herself, but would no doubt love to have. Hope she gets some freebies!