It Started with a Label

Macao, Thailand, Indonesia.  I have been touched by many exotic places in the world; it would be difficult to tell you which has been my favorite.  Guatemala, India, El Salvador.  These places all exude an aroma that mystifies and delights.  The sights, sounds and flavors of the culture are etched in my mind and… on the labels of the clothing I wear.  Those annoying little tags that help indicate the back of a clothing item permits me the extravagance of mental exploration in a faraway land.

Uzbekistan, Mexico, Columbia.  My journey begins as I glance beyond the washing instructions and past the size of the garment my body currently requires to the indicator to where this particular article of clothing originated.  The country names energize me in the thought of how this item came to me. What path did it follow?  What was the person from Costa Rica like who tediously sewed on bead after bead until the design took on the resemblance of a snowman?  Had this person ever seen snow and why in the world would you put carrots for a nose and a top hat on such a strange round fellow?  What do the hard working people from Hong Kong think when they are putting on the finishing touches of the Sponge Bob Square Pants pair of boxers?  Are they familiar with the American males aversion to whitey tighty’s thus the need for the increased demand of this preferred underclothing item?  Or do they want to know who is this porous little man who is snappily dressed in his square pants with a striking red tie and why is he on underwear, smiling?

Sri Lanka, China, Russia.  The horror must escalate in many of these seamstresses when they start sewing together the fabric of the average American sized dress or pair of jeans, or stitching the seams of a teenager’s size 14 athletic shoe.  Let’s face it, we as Americans are not the most petite of people (this, I blame, on the influx of hormone induced chicken we buy at superstores) and in some parts of the world we look like giants.  This is where the problems begin, both sides of the ocean wondering and questioning about the other, in the most personal of ways:  their clothing. These folks are probably trying to visualize what the people who will be wearing these enormous sheaths look like and where would they wear such a garment.  It just wouldn’t be right in their culture to be seen in public with some of the items they have produced for foreign consumption – and truth be told in some instances in the U.S. the fashion police should arrest those who in fact do venture out.

We wonder where the impression the world has about the United States comes from.  I would venture to say it probably started when the manufacturers in the USA decided it could behoove them financially if they took their production offshore.  It was fine when Americans manufactured for Americans (who understood) but since it doesn’t look like the making or assembly of ready-to-wear ware is coming back to the states in the near future, the colors, trends, styles, sizes and taste we, as Americans, proudly bow to from each couture season of every year will continue to set the tone for the world’s vision of the US.  The thought of a national referendum on taste in clothing could be a start for the world that is producing our clothing looking at us a bit differently.  As long as style dictates that a pair of over-sized teenage jeans, made in China, could fall off with just a sneeze and as the workers in Zimbabwe hurry to complete production on a rush delivery due to overwhelming demand of the new line of Incredible Hulk briefs, we have a long way to go.  We may want to check the label of what we choose to get dressed in for the day and be happy with little steps that will have impact on the overall scrutiny our country receives in the world community and allow for dignity on both sides of this equation.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life. Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-