Did you ever wonder if clothes mark the occasion or if the occasion marks the clothes? I can look back through the years and tell you exactly what I was wearing on different occasions in my life and sometimes what the person I was with was wearing.

I remember the first piano recital dress my mother made for me, the dress I wore when I gave an Easter recitation in front of a school assembly, several outfits I wore on dates and the places I went while wearing them. I remember quite well the dresses I bought when I had my first job out of school, and the clothes I purchased with the money from my first summer job while in school.

I still see myself standing in front of the mirror in the department store looking at myself in the outfit I purchased to wear on the first date with my husband. I remember where we went and the second date that followed.

Of course I remember my wedding dress, and dresses I wore for important occasions thereafter. I had favorite dresses that bring back wonderful memories. I had a few hats I remember, a couple of bathing suits and several pairs of shoes.

I remember what I wore to my mother's funeral, what I wore on my 18th birthday, and my first maternity dress. Why were these clothes so memorable? Was it because of the occasion, perhaps? Have you ever tried to purchase a similar outfit many years later for nostalgic purposes? "Look, that reminds me of the dress I wore on our first vacation after we were married." "I had a pair of shoes like that once." "I always loved those shoes." Have you ever looked through vintage clothing stores for clothes like you used to wear? Do we have an interest in those clothes because of the memories they hold for us, or do we just like them? I wonder.....

� Phyllis Ann ([email protected])