# Really Need Help Sorting Clothing?

Category: Daily Living

## Post 1 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 12-Jul-2010 12:15:35

I considered putting this under Safe Haven but changed my mind, since it really is more Daily Living. That said, please, I really don't want any negative comments about this, as it's very embarrassing to me. Also, I know I'm rambling here, but I really needed to get this off my chest.
As many of you know, I live above the house in my own apartment. I mostly take care of everything, from the cooking to the cleaning. But the one thing that I don't do well is organising my clothing. I bring down my things to be washed (I don't have a washer or dryer up here yet), Mom washes them (it's a digital machine and she washes the clothing for everyone) and then I bring them up. Then, Mom usually separates them into matching sets and according to whether they're house clothing for clothing for going out. She didn't get the chance to do this the last time and so I had a bag of clothing in the closet. Then, Grandma gave me the last batch and everything was all in a bag. It's so completely overwhelming for me because I never even know where to start.
Today, Mom and I had a serious conversation, and for the first time ever, she really listened to me when I said this way is no good for me. We both agreed that I need to do this on my own. That is, to take the clothing up and sort it by myself. I have a Cobolt colour identifier, but as much as I appreciate it, it doesn't really give an accurate reading much of the time. It'll say weird colours or combinations that don't actually match the clothing. I've also got metal braille labels with colours on them but they need to be sewn on and I don't know how to sew and neither does Mom or Joanie. Grandma does, but she has very bad arthritis and I'm not sure if she can do it, even with the machine. If she can, then my problem is solved. But if not, does anyone know of labels that can be attached another way or perhaps another system that I can use? I know there are newer colour identifiers out there, but are they more accurate than the one that I already have? What about the one in The VOIC?
Thanks for your support an help. I really want to start being more independent.

## Post 2 by Nicky (And I aprove this message.) on Monday, 12-Jul-2010 14:31:16

I remember what my clothes look like for the most part. If your pants all pretty much match each, top then what top you wear with witch pants wont matter. If you don't like this idea then you can try to remember what each item looks like and have your family go over your clothes alot until you remember. If you still wish to put something on them and can't soe anything to them then get some large safety pens and small beads of different shapes and put the beeds on the safety pens according to the patteren of beeds and color of your clothes. One shape of beads can mean blue and if you have enough then another shape can mean dark and light, so if you have two beads on your safety pen it will mean dark blue or light blue. you can then pen each bead to a peace of paper labeling that bead. To keep these labeled beads together: you can run threw the hole of the safety pens a string or something to keep them together.
This way you don't forget. You will want a large enough pen that will not only hold your beads but also pen to your clothes. Hope this helps and was not to confusing.

## Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 12-Jul-2010 17:08:35

I would never be able to remember what all of my clothing looks like. Since I've never seen, visual stuff rarely stays in my brain. That said, I have several pairs of pants that I know are black because they're all the same and do know a few other articles of clothing. I try to wear something black or white with something else, but some sets are other colours so that won't work. I love the safety pin idea and will definitely keep that in mind. Surprisingly, I learned today that Mom actually can sew. She just never does it. lol She said that she'd help me sew on those tags. We'll have to see how this idea works, but the pins might be a very good temporary alternative and will at least get me started.

## Post 4 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Monday, 12-Jul-2010 17:22:47

I've seen those little metal labels with Braille letters, and if memory serves me correctly, you can use a safety pin to attach them if you don't sew. Also, I have used Match Maker pins which each have a different number of dots on them. You may need to keep a Braille list to remind you of whatever codes you decide upon, such as 1 dot means white, two for black, etc. I'm sorry I can't remember where to get these Match Maker pins, but I bet you can find them by checking the various blindness related sites such as independent living and maxi aids. I think you get over 200 pins, so don't let the price scare you away.

## Post 5 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 12-Jul-2010 17:53:57

Thanks. Certainly, having the name of them helps, and you've provided that. I already intend on going to those sites so will keep an eye out for them.

## Post 6 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 12-Jul-2010 20:09:05

I find that when decideing on your clotheing choices you can get away with jeans, and shirts as a male. If you have dress items then you keep them as you purchased them in the suit, shirt, tie, socks, and take it to the cleaners. Also when washing if you use a soap with an all purpose bleach everything will come clean and will not bleed or fade in to other things, so you can just toss your wash in the machine as you grab it. your whites will stay white and so on. I have sighted people near so this has been tested. Smile. They think I sort, but I never do.

## Post 7 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 12-Jul-2010 21:39:53

Thanks for the help and encouragement. I usually wear slacks, jeans or shorts and tee-shirts or sweats (the latter mostly in the house), though I do have some nicer shirts with collars and buttons etc. I already keep my suits and ties separate, so that's never an issue, though I do intend, as I said, on sorting the house clothing from the casual but nice to go out stuff. Fortunately, I never wear dresses or skirts, so don't need to worry about all the stuff that goes with those. I use an all natural detergent that's safe for all colours, so like you, I don't have to worry about colours running either. That would be a real pain! lol To be honest, Mom says that I've been matching myself pretty well lately. My trick is to try to find things that I know have nutral colours or to remember sets. But that's not always easy, especiially when Ihave to remember clothing for spring/summer and autumn/winter. I'm the type who can't stand the cold so I have alot of winter stuff.

## Post 8 by AgateRain (Believe it or not, everything on me and about me is real!) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 4:23:47

Maybe sorting the clothes in the closet a certain way could help? Like, putting the black jeans here or putting the blue there... I'm thinking of this and just curious to wether it would work.

## Post 9 by Dirty Little Oar (I'd rather be rowing.) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 10:48:44

You can attach the braille color tags with safety pins. I attach mine to the tags of my shirts. I usually take them off while I am wearing the shirt and keep the tag in a little bowl on my dresser so it doesn't get lost. Then I just put it back on when I take the shirt off. I also use a color identifier on my solid colored items. I have a colorino. It's not totally accurate, but I've gotten used to it's quirks and generally find it helpful. I also make my own custom labels with teflon tape when I want to know more than just the color of an article of clothing. I have a lot of t-shirts with different sayings, some of which are not appropriate for all situations, so it's important for me to know which one I'm wearing. Many of them are black so knowing the color alone is useless. I use a slate and stylus to write 1 or 2 words on the teflon tape that clue me in to what the shirt says. When I cut a piece of tape off for a label, I make it wide enough so that after I peel the backing off, I can fold the tape over and put the sticky sides together. Then I just push a safety pin through it and attach it to my shirt. I'm not sure I explained that well, but hopefully you get what I'm trying to say. Anyway, this teflon tape is available at Independent living aids and places like that. You can put it through the washer and dryer as well. It's a great way to make custom labels for your clothes.

## Post 10 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 11:12:20

Wow! Really neat ideas! I always wondered how that worked with the safety pins i.e. how to wear the clothing and to not get stuck with them. Of course, the common sense idea of simply taking them off and then reattaching them never occurred to crazy Eleni here... I also have shirts like that so will definitely look into the teflon tape. I actually have sheets of labeling tape (not specifically for the blind) that I got from my bf and I use them on my food items all the time. I simply put them in the Braillewriter and away I go. They seem to be able to withstand the cold, since they can go in the freezer. But sometimes, the letters get difficult to read. Fortunately, I have a little role of the teflon tape that I got from a blind place so will use that for the clothing. Beautiful ideas all of you! Thanks so much for understanding and for making me feel comfortable.

## Post 11 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 15:37:36

Hi Tifinitsa, dress shirts and pants are really easy to identify of course by the fabrics. I can see some, and my closet is organized by types of clothing, and colors. So, All the tops are together, nice pants, jeans, skirts and dresses, cardigans (I have lots of these), and jackets/coats. Then I organize by color. white shirts, red shirts. ETC. I always wear neutral bottoms such as olive green, khaki, brown, gray, and ocasionally black. I think the safety pin idea is great. I don't have a lot of house clothes, I try to wear nice clothes most of the time. I do have a drawer just for crappy around the house t-shirts that I wear for cooking, cleaning ETc. just store these in a separate area. Obviously, you're not gonna have trouble differentiating your sweats and t shirts from your nicer stuff. I like the idea of keeping a container on your dresser for the tags to go in. It's a good idea to wash dark clothes together, this just preserves the dark denim in your jeans if you wear dark denim. Light-colored clothes wash well with whites. but, I don't always sort, If you wash everything in cold and use an all-color detergent, you should be okay. I will wash whites in warm ocasionally, but not every time. I like the color identifier. Also, maybe you could come up with a system for patterned clothes. Like maybe one shape for stripes, or another for other stuff. I don't wear a whole lot of patterened clothes, so don't have much trouble with this. I also have a section in my closet that is just concert t-shirts. U2 and Bob Dylan among them. If you're not sure what colors go with what and there's not a sighted person to help you, there's lots of great articles on matching clothes.

## Post 12 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 15:40:19

Like I said, I've never seen, so don't understand colours. I basically have to go by what I'm told. So it would be very good to learn what goes with what.

## Post 13 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 15:59:24

basically, any neutral (read this natural color like brown, black and gray work well with most types of clothes. I don't know what colors you have in your closet so I'll just give you some tips. If you have say a blue shirt, it's gonna go with basically everything. Especially, black, gray, and brown. Pinks purples and yellow are gonna go well with gray as well. Greens go well with brown, and sometimes gray, but this depends on the shade of green. Light colors go best with darker clothing and vice versa. So, for instance, I'm wearing a light yellow shirt with a pair of olive green pants. This works, because the shade of green isn't really bright. Khaki, which is sort of like a type of tan works well with virtually any color of top. Blue, green, pink, yellow, orange white, and tan. Beware of wearing one color of top and the same color on the bottom. This can be tricky to do. Unless say you're wearing a pair of jeans and a striped shirt. Generally, I wear dark denim, as this looks good with any top, and it's very flattering and doesn't look dated. If you have a color identifier, try matching up some color combinations. I like black, but only for dressier ocasions. I find gray and brown to be more earthy and less harsh-looking. Pink and brown look nice together, as do gray and yellow. I stay away from white pants, personally, I don't like them. Shoes should most often blend or compliment with your pants. So black or gray pants will look nice with black shoes. Brown or khaki pants will look nice with brown shoes. I think the key here isn't so much matching colors, but finding colors that will coordinate together. Matchy-matchy is kind of out nowadays, unless it's a suit. Orange I should mention doesn't look good with black, unless you wanna look like a tiger, or it's halloween. try not to mix colors, say like an orange shirt with pink pants. A good general rule is neutrals with colors. Only wear color with other color if you have sighted assistance. Patterns generally don't mix well, so beware of mixing a striped shirt with floral bottoms. Also, a neutral colored jacket or cardigan will work as well. One of my fave outfits is a pair of dark-denim jeans, a pink, blue, green, or yellow shirt, and a white cardie. Also, ask a sighted person about color shades, as some shades of blue don' work well with brown. It's all about the colors and how they compliment each other. So, here's some color combinations that I think would look nice.
1. gray pants, and either a pink, blue, or purple shirt, black shoes, and white cardigan.
2. brown or khaki pants with a pink or orange shirt and brown shoes.
3. dark denim and any color shirt.
Style of clothes is just as important as color. so have a sighted person tell you what's flattering for your figure and what's not. Hth, and PM me if you need any other advice. I love clothes. In fact, I'm going to Old Navy today after work. Good luck. Once you get the hang of it, matching clothes won't be as difficult as you think it will be. Try out some of the above-mentioned color combos and get a second oppinion from the sighted world.

## Post 14 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 16:09:33

Oh I should mention that unless you're wearing a suit, try not to have your jacket or cardigan match the same color as your pants. So, if you're wearing khakis, wear a white or gray cardigan or jacket. If you're wearing gray pants, wear a black or white sweater. You could use color here, like say gray pants, a white or gray shirt, and a pink sweater. or, brown pants, an orange,pink, green, or blue shirt and a light tan or white sweater or jacket. Hth. Also, please avoid color combinations like yellow shirt and bright blue pants, purple shirt with pink pants, and please, please, please no red and green together!! Unless you're wanting to look like an elf. I should have mentioned in my last post that dark denim looks best with light to medium colored tops. Too much dark color and there won't be enought of a contrast. Generally, I don't own any colored pants, like pink, orange, or blue. I stick to neutrals. If you wanna wear bright-colored pants, find a top in a neutral color. Hth.

## Post 15 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 17:06:10

I'm definitely saving this to a file on my computer. I like, and often prefer, so-called "dated" clothing and try to stay away from modern trends and designer stuff. I even have some original 60's and 70's clothing, as well as some 80's items, but the last could fit in any decade as they're general things. So matching tops and bottoms shouldn't pose a problem for me. Is this also the reason why you warned against matching jackets or is there a real clash here? Normally, I choose clothing according to comfort and because I like the material. I only dress to impress when I'm going somewhere important. That said, I don't want to look like a clown or an idiot, so the tips are definitely welcomed. I don't think much of my clothing has patterns, though some of my clothing is black with writing/designs in different colours. Mom told me that those shirts can go with anything, since most of the material on them is black, except said writing. Thanks for the tip on shades. I have no concept of that so will definitely ask for assistance there and will be sure to label the items as dark/light etc. I know I don't have any far-out colours so that's one thing that I can scratch off the list.

## Post 16 by snowflower (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 21:01:22

Just wondering where I can order the braile metal clothing tags?
Thanks

## Post 17 by AgateRain (Believe it or not, everything on me and about me is real!) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 21:26:20

Snow flower you could go to www.maxiaids.com or www.independentliving.com hope that helped.

## Post 18 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 22:35:36

Hi, too much of one color really is overkill. If you want to wear neutrals, make sure they contrast. Like gray pants, colored shirt and a black or white cardie. I like cardigans, cause they're easy to mix and match. Colored cardigans and jackets look good with neutral bottoms and a coordinating shirt underneath. I just bought a light blue cardie, and I'll pair it with gray black, brown or khaki pants or dark denim. I'll wear a white tank, or maybe a gray tank if i'm wearing dark denim jeans, or light gray pants. Too much gray would be overwhelming. Here's a list of clothes I think every blind woman should own.
a white button down shirt. Everything looks great with these, and they're really classic. You could pair these with jeans, dress pants or another neutral colored pants.
Neutral pants: brown, khaki, black, gray, olive or khaki green, navy, and black work with a multitude of colors. Again, think contrast.
Neutral or colored jackets or cardigans: white, gray, black, and brown all work.
Dark denim jeans: these work well with light or medium colored shirts. Light pink, blue, yellow, or medium purples, greens, oranges and red all look great with these.
Beware of vintage clothes. Too much vintage and you'll end up looking much older than you are. Pick your fave fabrics and try to find basics in these. Beware of mixing really dressy fabrics with really casual ones. I once wore a pair of dark brown cords with a light pink silky shirt. The combo was fine, but the corduroy was really too casual for the shirt.
Beware of the cut of your clothes and how they fit. this can make an outfit as well. Know your body type, and what looks best with it. A really billowy top isn't gonna go well with a fuller cut of pants. and a tight shirt and tight pants are a no no. Be careful with embellishments on clothes, cause they can be too much.
I understand having a few vintage pieces, but please don't make this the bulk of your wardrobe. You don't want to look too dated, and you want to compliment your outfit with your personality, not have your outfit overshadow who you really are. Never wear more than three colors at once. I like the neutral on bottom, colored top and, coordinating neutral jacket, or neutral pants, coordinating neutral top and a colored sweater or jacket. Most of my closet is basics with a few pieces that I change seasonally. For every piece I buy, I try to get rid of something else, so I'm relatively current. I'm not a total fashionista, but I think these are all rules of thumb that blind women can use to look good (guys too).
If you own any of the following items, please burn them. It's not just my oppinion, most people will agree these are universally unflattering and outdated pieces. (bear in mind, I'm writing this in the States, I'm not up on other countries' fashions)
tapered pants or jeans: bad, bad, bad!! these do nothing for a woman's figure, and are very unflattering for everyone. If you wanna look like an ice cream cone, or an old lady, while making your butt look huge, wear these!!
Acid-washed denim: not a good idea, looks very dated, and sloppy.
overalls: these scream "I look like your grandpa". No, no, no!! Unless you work on a farm planting corn all day, and even then, why?
oversized baggy shapeless shirts, sweaters, and sweatshirts: Unless you want to look huge, pregnant, or frumpy, stay away from these. I'm not saying don't wear longer shirts, just make sure they're not huge and boxy.
elastic-waisted anything: this looks really bad on most women, and can make you look heavier than you are.
I'm all about dressing for comfort, but you don't have to sacrifice comfort for style! Hth, and PM me with any further questions.

## Post 19 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 13-Jul-2010 23:06:35

Thanks for taking the time to give me all of these helpful hints. I'll be adding these to my file. I honestly don't care if I look older than I am. I think people thinking that I'm older would be a compliment. I'm 26 and would hate it if people thought I was a teen. The fact that I'm short (5.1) and petite doesn't help matters. I'm usually pretty good at choosing between dressy and casual but will definitely keep that in mind, since I don't want to make that kind of mistake if I'm alone. I'm not the type to wear tight or form-fitting clothing and am not one for imbellishments, so I should be fine there. If I happen to look really good in something and I like it, I'll wear it and if something looks bad on me, I won't. But I don't buy things strictly to flatter my appearance. There have even been times where I've tried something on and Mom loved it but I refused to wear it because I didn't like how it felt on me. Unfortunately, I've grown out of alot of my vintage clothing, since some was from high school (vintage then not from that time). So I need to get more. I never throw out clothing unless it's worn-out, it's too small or I simply haven't worn it in ages and have a pretty good idea that I won't wear it any time soon. If something fits and still looks nice (not ripped or raggedy), I see no reason why I should get rid of it. I have some tapered jeans but not many. I'm more into bell bottoms if I'm not wearing regular jeans. I'm not sure what Acid-washed denim is but if you mean tie-dye, I've got a few shirts like that. I also have some really faded jeans that I adore. I've got overalls in pants and shorts but haven't worn them in quite awhile. Not sure why to be honest. I love corduroy but the kind that's thin not the fat kind that they make today. I never wear oversized shirts or pants unless I'm going to sleep. I have alot of elastic-wasted pants and shorts and enjoy them. I'm wearing shorts like that right now actually. I've also got a few things with draw-strings. I know that I have some hip huggers but don't like their cut. I'm also not into low-cut shirts, short shorts, Bamuda shorts, bikinis or bathing suits that ride up the butt/don't cover it, long pants that go over my shoes and drag, high heels (of course) or any pointy shoes or ruffled/frilly things. I buy from the women's and the men's sections as it suits me, though less from the latter because they usually don't have my size.

## Post 20 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2010 1:14:55

Okay, it's commendable to not look like a teenager, but you shouldn't look like your grandma or a washed out hippie either. Acid washed denim is very light almost bleached denim that was really popular in the 80's. It's universally unflattering and makes a person look very dated and washed out. Plus, darker denim is much more flattering and formal. Tie dye is fine in moderation, depends upon the shirt though. It's probably look best with dark jeans. Since you're petite, cut matters even more. About.com has a helpful section for petite dressing tips. Why the men's section? You run the risk of buying things that are way too big for you. As far as socks, match them with your pants. I like gray or black socks with gray pants, black socks with black pants, and brown or nude socks with brown or khaki pants. Avoid pantyhose, they're oudated. Unless you have to wear them for work, they're very fake-looking and old fashioned. Pants should fall almost to the floor, but they should never drag. Flared pants and jeans might be a good option for you, as well as straight legged pants. Fabrics like chunkier knits, corduroy and thermal are more casual. I like the finer corduroy, and own a couple pairs of pants in this material. if you wear shiny materials like satin, wear a nonshiny material with it. A nice pair of plain dress pants with a shiny top, or vice versa. Beware of elastic waists, since you're short and petite, they may have a tendency to gather, sag, and bag in all the wrong places. I think a shoe with a bit of a heel would look good on you to add height. I'm not talking about a high heel, but something like a platform, or a wedge style. Oh yeah, if you wear capris, don't wear huge tennis shoes with them, they look best with a sleeker shoe. Flared and boot cut pants also look best with thinner shoes like flats or pumps.
Don't ever mix off-white with true white. not a good match!! Never wear a white bra under a white shirt, it'll most likely leave a bra line. Same goes for lacy styles and colored bras. A nude bra will most likely look best. you can wear colored bras under thicker shirts. Don't wear a lacy or really fancy bra under thin shirts, for the same reason, unless you're wearing a tank under the shirt.
HTH.

## Post 21 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2010 9:29:42

As I keep saying, I have no problem wearing outdated stuff. If I like something, I won't simply throw it away or refuse to wear it because it's not in style. If I look older, then probably older men would look at me, which is also another benefit. lol I don't think I'll be wearing pantyhose any time soon, dated or not. I've never had my pants or shorts with elastic bands bag or sag. They fit me very nicely. I like pants that go to my ankles maybe very slightly below, enough so that when I sit, they don't rise. Pretty much all my shoes are flats. I have problems walking or feeling comfortable in shoes with heels. The exception is platforms because they're equally high on all sides and, for some reason, winter boots. I don't own any pumps. lol the closest I come to a bra is a sports bra and my back brace. Thanks for the info on white and off white. I have no clue what that means but will be sure to label my clothing so as to not make that mistake.

## Post 22 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2010 13:22:59

So now I'm curious. What are bra lines and will I still need to worry about them with a sports bra? lol Funny question, I know, but I've never really heard of them.

## Post 23 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2010 14:35:47

bra lines are the outline a bra makes under clothes. Most sports bras are made of a thicker material, so you would definitely need to worry about these in a white shirt or under a very thin shirt. They're also not figure flattering. If you don't like regular underwire bras, you could find some nice ones minus the wire. a propper-fitting bra will really help you look better in your clothes. White for some reason, really seems to show bras underneath. For instance, a thicker trim around a sports bra would show under a thin or white shirt. Same goes for any kind of embellishments, or lace in some cases. Same happens with panties, if you're wearing black panties under light colored thin pants, it's gonna leave a line, or sometimes you can see the outside of the panty. This should really only bee an issue for really light colored pants though.

## Post 24 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2010 15:21:13

Thanks for the explanations. I'll ask Mom if that's ever been a problem with the clothing I wear. Up till now, she's never mentioned it. Personally, I have small breasts and like them that way. The sports bras make them look even flatter which I like. I've always hated the idea of bras and the only reason I wear a sports one is to help my back, to avoid bouncing and for flattening. As for underwear, I only wear cotton briefs or jockies and have never heard of them causing lines. Again, I'll ask Mom if she's ever noticed that with me and make sure to mark down which clothing is really light in colour.

## Post 25 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Friday, 16-Jul-2010 0:17:15

You should be okay, if you wear thicker pants. If your mom's never mentioned anything, you might be okay as far as the sports bra issue goes. Maybe you don't own a lot of thinner sheer shirts. This would be more of a problem if you did. Probably a good idea to ask your mom anyway.

## Post 26 by Glenja (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Monday, 06-Sep-2010 10:46:55

OK, I’m a little late posting this, but I hope it may be helpful. My system is a little complicated, but it works well for me. I number my clothes using Teflon tape. I don’t know if Teflon tape is still available because I haven’t had to get more in a long time, but it comes in rolls like label tape, and doesn’t flatten out when being washed.
Anyway, I number in braille each of my shirts, pants, etc. I keep a list on my computer, though a braille list would work also, with a description of each clothing item. Then for each item I list the numbers of the clothing that matches it.
For example, I may have a pair of pants with the #1 label on it. My list then says 1: black pants. Matches shirts #9, 12, and 15. I have descriptions of each shirt, and it works in reverse. For example, a shirt labeled #9 would have. #9: blue shirt with small white stripes. Matches pants #1, #4.
It is a little time consuming when first getting all the clothes labeled, but afterwards, it is easy to add new clothes to the list. Sighted help may be necessary when first getting the clothes to match. I usually sew the labels in the clothes, but safety pins work also.

## Post 27 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 07-Sep-2010 12:41:44

I really really! like this idea! That way, I can safely mix and match and I don't need to worry about figuring what colours go with what. It's funny, because Mom sort of cracked up, as she puts it, and bought me so much clothing that I could practically open my own store! Usually, I buy my own things, and believe me, I'm not the type to go nuts about that kind of stuff. But sometimes, if Mom sees something that she thinks I might like, she'll get it for me. She must've had the idea that I always needed more, because now, I have a large amount of sizable bags of it. Some of the clothing is old/no longer fits (children's and/or high school), so I have no idea what it's still doing here, and some I never even wore! But we're sorting through it, and once I figure out what I want, which probably won't be that much, I'll start the labeling process. I can certainly start it with the things that I already have. If I remember correctly, there are labels with numbers on them for clothing. But I'm not sure if they're still made.

## Post 28 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Tuesday, 07-Sep-2010 14:57:49

well what you don't want, if i''s still good, could be used by clothing centers for disadvantaged people. My wife has done a lot of those over the years / understands this stuff, I generally tag along to play pack mule / do similar grunt tasks, but you'd be surprised: lots of suits / high-end stuff ends up there but not enough plain clothes - the stuff the people need on a daily basis. Lots of closets get full of stuff that's never worn because it's 'not in anymore' or 'washed up' or any number of other things. Provided the clothes are in good repair there are plenty of folks - working families with school kids included - who'd be grateful to get some decent clothes. More people are now in need than any time in recent history, working two jobs, busting their tails just to keep the house so the kiddies can stay in the same school district, the contimuum goes on. And we got us some skinny ass young sports worrying about what's 'in'.
That being said, I would be careful not to donate anything with missing buttons / rips / holes in it, as that's just more work for those tasked with sorting the clothes for distribution. I realize I caused a bit of genetic drift on this topic but not all genetic drift is a bad thing: now you got you something to do for your local community.

## Post 29 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Tuesday, 07-Sep-2010 17:20:38

I've never seen color either, but that doesn't mean I don't ask about it so I'm well informed. remembering those sorts of things really can help in life, more than you probably realize.
I'm tiny, so whenever I shop, the junior section is almost always the answer for me. I go off of how things feel, but I also want what I wear to reflect my personality. so, if I don't feel right in something, I most likely won't buy it. in saying that, though, I wouldn't wanna wear outdated things...so keeping tabs on that is important to me as well.
as far as matching them, I use safetypins that have beads, and remember what said combinations are.

## Post 30 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 08-Sep-2010 14:17:41

To LeoGuardian: Yes, we often give clothing to The Good Will and other places. I myself enjoy shopping there for not only clothing but for other things as well. I've come across many great finds there in the past, including some wonderful tech. I'm looking to give some of my clothing to them or to various Hellenic organisations if they'll take it. The rest of my family gives to the VA. I've also been giving alot to a friend of the family and her young daughter. Their happiness makes all of us feel wonderful, me especially, not because I'm showing off in any way, but because these are truly good people who deserve the best. We never throw clothing away unless it's really ripped, stained or irreparable.
To fighter of love and life: I'm sure that you're right about colour and have no gripes about learning. But for now, this will help me so that I don't look like a clown. I'm about 5 ft. 1 in. and maybe 126 lbs. (don't know metric yet) so it can sometimes be annoying when looking for things. It's especially difficult when I have to go from vintage to modern sizes because they're sometimes different. As I've said, I don't mind outdated stuff at all but I do want to match. I've seen the system with the safety pins and think it would confuse me. I like to keep things as simple as possible when it comes to organisation. Admittedly, the one with the numbers can get complex but I think it's a bit easier to understand, in the longrun, than the beads and pins. Still, thanks for the suggestion.

## Post 31 by The SHU interpreter (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 21-Sep-2010 23:33:52

there are these labels that are brailled and they snap on to your clothes and you don't have to sow them in. but once you unsnap the label it can't be sewn back in. someone gave me a few labels like that, but i forget who it was.

## Post 32 by The SHU interpreter (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 21-Sep-2010 23:36:07

oh tiff, i can fit into children's clothes. i should visit some time. lol.

## Post 33 by The SHU interpreter (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 21-Sep-2010 23:49:27

oh speaking of white clothes, i once put on a brown bra underneath a white blouse because i was half asleep when i choose the bra. damn. so i show up to work thinking i was fine until mom came to pick me up since i was sent home from work early because they didn't need me as an intern since the whole staff was off work except 3 people in the office, and mom said "your brown bra is showing through your blouse" i was like "oh shoot, this sucks" i was so embarrased to show up to work like that in the first place. and i thought "oh, i bet they sent me home because they noticed.

## Post 34 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 23-Sep-2010 23:56:58

Did that once in a black bra with a white tee. This was back in high school, when I either didn't care, or didn't know any better. Oops! When in doubt, wear a t-shirt or seamless nude bra under your clothes that are sheer or light-colored, and Be careful about lace and other decorations, these can show through some shirts.

## Post 35 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 24-Sep-2010 0:46:37

Man I'm glad I don't wear stuff like that. *smile* Makes things easier.

## Post 36 by jsuh72 (Generic Zoner) on Thursday, 10-Feb-2011 5:14:42

what I do, I sort my clothes by weather, pants on one side, short sleve shirts next, long sleve shirts, jackets hoodies, formal dresses in the corner, my shorts are right next to my pants. I have a closset. As for light and dark things to wear, It's kind of hard to tell but I put a label on my lighter clothes so I know witch is my dark from my light. I also did this from my white clothes for laundry.

## Post 37 by squidwardqtentacles (I just keep on posting!) on Thursday, 10-Feb-2011 19:35:59

This is a good topic for me! I am TERRIBLE at organizing clothing, and the closet space in apartments here is meager. I shall read thru these posts later as something else is going on right now, but good luck!

## Post 38 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 10-Feb-2011 19:58:12

I actually just reread these myself. I brought down a lot of summer clothing last week, so Mom and I will go through them. I'm pretty much left with my suits, my jeans and my sweats. So I'll need to go over them but also to get some of my nicer clothing from downstairs. I think that I'll go with the numbering idea, unless I can find my colour tags. But even then, I'll need to write down what colours go with what. Fortunately, I've gotten a lot of advice on that here so that should help. But since there has been so much commenting on looking "dated" and "vintage" now I'd like to know what should I wear if I want to look that way and avoid modern trends? Keep in mind that I'm not the dress/skirt type and don't wear anything tight or revealing (not for lack of self-esteem, I just don't like it) but neither am I into baggy hip hop stuff.

## Post 39 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 23-Feb-2011 17:01:34

Okay, this is round three on trying to post my response. Basics are always good. plain tees, tank tops, jeans and shorts. It's important to note that you can look classic and not outdated. Take a nice white button down shirt. these never go out of style, and can be layered or worn alone. Style of clothes changes. By style, I actually mean the shape of the clothes. Learned that in my middle school home ec class. So small details can really make a difference. Instead of wearing a plain tank under a cardie, try one with lace, or small embellishments. Has it ever occured to you that clothes actually scare you? It's really easy to find basic style advice. Oh yeah, I did learn in an article to steer clear of wearing orange and dark brown pants. I found a link to an article that describes in depth color combinations and how to wear them. I'll see if I can post it. Since you're petite, beware of too much fabric in a garment. While it's true that some things do come back in style, jelly shoes, stretch pants, how they're made, and how they're worn is usually different from the first time they were popular. If you want to work vintage into your wardrobe, read up on how you can do this without looking dated. One good way is through jewelry or accessories. Wear patterns with caution please. Some patterns are great, others not so much. Finding flattering patterns is difficult enough for sighted people, let alone blind. Hth, and I'll try to post more later if I think of anything else.

## Post 40 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 23-Feb-2011 17:23:09

Okay, so this is what you mean by style. I've never heard it referring to shape. While we're at it, what is the difference in men's and women's pants/shirts etc? The only things I know are that women's are more curved and mens tend to be straight and that with button-down shirts, they're usually on one side for men and one for women. What about with suits? I buy from both sections of the store so am curious.
As I said, I don't mind outdated and couldn't care less what's in. I just wanted to know what you meant by the term, and if I really did want to look so-called dated, what would I need to do versus just looking vintage? For example, if I were to look vintage, would I fit in in the past i.e. look authentic? What's the difference here?
I'm not into feminine things, so lace is out. I'm also generally not into embellishments. I prefer to keep things plain and simple. Clothes don't scare me. I just have my own style in life and my clothing reflects that. I can be very serious with a suit and tie, very casual with jeans or shorts and a tee-shirt or very comfortable in sweats. No one has ever put down my taste in clothing. I just don't follow the mainstream, probably even when wearing vintage stuff. I was taught to match and don't like the idea of wild colours etc. The closest I come to jewellery is my Greek flag pin, which I always wear, maybe a watch,, or more seldom, a ring or a chain. I don't know much about patterns. While I choose my own clothing, I still ask Mom about colours etc. If she seriously thinks there's a problem with how something looks on me she'll tell me and then it's up to me to decide. Thanks, sincerely, for all of your help and advice.

## Post 41 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 23-Feb-2011 23:15:40

No problem. Men's shirts tend to have smaller chests and longer sleeves. Also the material might be a bit different. They probably won't have darts in the back or front seams. Same idea with suits. A woman't suit jacket may have a more fitted waist, (at least it should). This is definitely more flattering than a shapeless jacket that just hangs on your figurre. Collars might be different for both as well, and a woman's jacket may have shoulder pads and different buttons. Men's pants probably have longer legs on the pants, and are probably cut differently. I'm guessing that since you're petite, you have to buy really small men's suits.
I do believe that vintage fashions are worn differently this time. For instance, a purse might have a seventies fabric, but may be built differently. I'd strongly suggest using only one piece of vintage clothing per outfit. If you wear mainly basic stuff, you should have a nice canvas to accessorize if you want to. Hth.

## Post 42 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 23-Feb-2011 23:23:32

What are darts? I've never heard of them in the context of clothing. I usually remove shoulder pads if I find them anywhere. I never saw the need for them. *smile* Yeah, even in the women's section, finding pants can sometimes be a challenge. I hate being short! lol You still really didn't answer my questions about vintage but at least you explained about the styles. When I want something vintage, I want the real deal, not something that's merely made of the material but looks modern. It's like those stupid phones made to look like rotery ones but which are touch tone and which have electronic ringers and all sorts of modern features. No thanks! I'm not one for purses or pocket books but I do wear a fanny pack and love it.

## Post 43 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 24-Feb-2011 14:05:44

Darts are sort of like small pleats in clothing that are supposed to make clothes More shapely. But a lot of the time, they can add extra bulk, especially when they're placed in pants.
I'm sure that if you say you have vintage stuff, it's probably the real deal. Sorry, I'm not exactly sure what you're asking me. If you're wanting to look vintage, and not dated, use only one vintage piece. For instance, seventies stuff is back in like macrame, fringe, and crochet. Pick out something you have with these elements, and wear it with a basic outfit, Jeans and a tee, shorts, and a tank, ETc. These are just a couple of examples. Jeans and basic tees don't really have any modern trends. If this doesn't help, you may have to rephrase the question. Lol.

## Post 44 by The SHU interpreter (I just keep on posting!) on Wednesday, 02-Mar-2011 0:43:19

for me it's hard enough to find pants. i'm with you on that one with the only difference, i'm very thin. so that is an added bonus too

## Post 45 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 09-Mar-2011 14:14:14

I think what I meant is this. What is the difference between looking vintage and dated, as you put it? What if I wanted to look dated? What would I need to wear? I thought that merely wearing something like old pants with a regular shirt or an old shirt with jeans would have made me fit in the past. I mean, not everything was all wild and crazy, and as you said, jeans never go out of style. So it would probably work.

## Post 46 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Saturday, 12-Mar-2011 18:17:11

dated is sort of vintage, but in a bad way. Think mom jeans, acid wash, which I described earlier, and stuff like overalls, baggy sweats, and unflattering hair or makeup. Dated stuff is pretty much universally unflattering on everyone, like the above-described items. However, vintage can work in moderation. Think details like fringe, lace, macrame, and boho chic. For instance, bell bottoms or flared pants are back in style. But they may have a different cut and wash than their earlier counterparts. I'd recommend you try to look vintage, as opposed to dated. Do you have a sighted girlfriend who you could have help you sort through your wardrobe. Not mom, or grandma, but a girl about your age? She may be able to help you sort your vintage versus dated stuff. If you have jeans that are more than 4 or 5 years old, they may need to be replaced. Cuts and different washes of denim tend to go in and out of style. Also patterns tend to go in and out. A floral pattern from the seventies may be redone in a new way. Dark straight leg jeans, white shirts, and basic sweaters and cardigans are all classic pieces that should last you several seasons. Vintage denotes a sense of classic elegance, while dated just seems to denote out of fashion, frumpy, and careless.
If you're wanting to start your own soap business or whatever, it's even more crucial that you try to not look dated. It's just part of your own overall package. Hope this helps. If I come across any petite fashion tips, I'll post them here.

## Post 47 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Saturday, 12-Mar-2011 18:29:40

Taking your earlier jeans and tee example, jeans tend to fade over a long time. So, what started out as a nice pair of dark denim may have faded to a lighter and maybe unflattering wash. Tees also fade and stretch over time. I find that I try to replace most tees in my wardrobe every year or 18 months. They're cheap, and I don't like the stretched out boxy look. Jeans usually last me a couple of years. If you have dark jeans that you want to preserve, turn them inside out before you wash them, and always use cold water. You should be able to tell if a tee is a bit worn out. You could wear dark jeans, a white tee, and then maybe some vintage jewelry, or a cute vintage inspired scarf. Do you ever shop online? Stores like Old Navy, Wet Seal, and forever 21 have cool costume jewelry like big bracelets. You could take the same example, and pair it with a cute military jacket and some cute motorcycle boots. Vintage inspired, but not at all dated. Or, wear a new rouched tee with a vintage jacket. It's all about mixing old and new. Hth.

## Post 48 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 12-Mar-2011 18:31:50

Ah, now I understand you. I would never replace things just because they're old, unless they're in bad condition. I like the so-called dated as opposed to vintage look. I don't have anyone my age to help me, but as I said, I'm not about looking modern or wearing what's in and like authentic things, not modern replicas that might be different from the originals, though I didn't know that until now. So thanks for the warning. I'd prefer to ask someone from that time for clothing suggestions. If it's comfortable, matches and isn't ruined, I'll wear it. To be honest, I don't have too many things from the past at the moment. I used to have some really neat things from the 60's and 70's but they were from my high school years and I grew out of most of them. Looks like it's time for a trip to Good Will. I love that place to begin with, so it's not really a push to get me there. *smile*

## Post 49 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 12-Mar-2011 18:51:36

Actually, I would like some tips on sizing, since older clothing sometimes has different measurements. A comparison would be very helpful. Mind you, I'm not into anything too baggy or form-fitting. Makeup is not an issue as I never wear any. Since I'll be selling my things online and/or giving it to Pathways, which comes to my house, picks up the items and then sells them at fairs, that won't matter either. Thanks, again, for all of your help.

## Post 50 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Sunday, 13-Mar-2011 21:02:02

Okay, sizing can be tricky. I'm not sure how older clothes were sized. But nowdays things tend to run in increments of 2. Also, you may find things labeled as W. This usually happens with larger sizes so shouldn't affect you. I think labels are taking into account petite women, and so lots of size charts will reflect that. Not sure if this is the case with older clothes. Beware that some used items, especially pants may be stretched to fit a body type that isn't necessarily yours. Hth.

## Post 51 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 13-Mar-2011 21:16:44

I've never seen that but will definitely keep a look-out for it. Thanks for the warning. I could've sworn that I once saw a size comparison chart between modern and vintage clothing but I never bookmarked it.

## Post 52 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 14-Mar-2011 23:53:37

Maybe there's one out there online. Lots of stores like the Gap, Old Navy, Wet Seal, Kohls, JC Penney and Fashion Bug all have them. BTW, you can buy stuff at these stores that's not necessarily supertrendy.

## Post 53 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 15-Mar-2011 0:37:31

That's cool. I'm not usually for designer stuff but I'm sure they'd have something that I'll like. So I'll keep them in mind.

## Post 54 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 15-Mar-2011 17:26:25

They have lots of basic tanks and tees. Especially Wet seal. You can get really good deals online. I just bought a couple tanks for like less than $8 apiece. Wet seal also has a section called 5 for $20. You can mix and match basic tees, shorts, and tanks, and they come in an array of colors. A warning about the website. When you go to check out at Wet Seal, your credit card info has to match exactly, or it won't work, so some sighted assistance would be nice the first time your ordering from the site. I find that even when I'm just stocking up on basics, I feel better having new clothes. Not necessarily expensive, just new. Maybe that's just me though.

## Post 55 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 15-Mar-2011 21:29:52

Why would I need sighted assistance there, unless it's a screenreader issue? I've never heard of a site that works if your credit card doesn't match exactly. In any case, clothing is actually one of the very few things that I prefer to buy offline, as I like to try things on before deciding to buy them. I'm very picky with cuts and comfort level and I'd hate to purchase something and then decide that I don't like it after all.

## Post 56 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Tuesday, 15-Mar-2011 21:42:13

..not really anything to add here to the ongoing conversation
except to say, Hello to Tiffanitsa,
It's been awhile
Good to know that you are here. smiles**

## Post 57 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 17-Mar-2011 4:57:03

Not sure why the Wet Seal site is so picky. I like to shop in store, but some sites, I know how things are sized.

## Post 58 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 17-Mar-2011 10:25:52

I don't consider that being picky, just normal. How could a site accept information that doesn't match?

## Post 59 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 22-Mar-2011 0:47:37

I just mean that you gotta dot every I and cross your t. It's just really hard to get all your info entered correctly.

## Post 60 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Wednesday, 23-Mar-2011 14:41:46

Love it! A coupla hipsters probly strutting around in frayed pants discussing the fine arts of clothes.
GET YOUR PANTS OFF THE GROUND!
Watch the above ditty and think of the nieces, neighbors, and ... most probably 7/8 of the Zone's population. Have fun

## Post 61 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 23-Mar-2011 14:51:06

They actually call that music? How sad. What does that have to do with this discussion? I never said anything about wearing frayed clothing or pants so long that they drag on the ground. I actually hate when my pants drag and I always have holes mended as soon as they're discovered.

## Post 62 by TechnologyUser2012 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 23-Mar-2011 18:38:24

wow... I guess anything can be called music these days. lol.