Fashion faux pax or fashion icon

They're not fancy or flashy. They're banned from supposed "classy" establishments and events. Those two high-fallutin' folks on TV telling us how to dress would rather undergo water torture than wear them. I, on the other hand, favor legislation making them national treasures.


<p>What am I referring to? Overalls, of course.
</p>

<p>My earliest memories of my dad are of him always being in overalls. Except for church services and his mailman uniform (which I swore to my friends was really a policeman's get-up), dad never stayed at or left home without them. Working on our little farm demanded he have lots of pockets, and overalls fit the bill.
</p>

<p>How else could he have carried a syringe and meds for the cows, screwdriver, handy-dandy pocket knife, hammer, sweat rag (bandana or handkerchief for those of you who are squeamish), car keys, a pencil and paper, billfold, and all the other daily necessities?  
</p>

<p>I learned the benefits of overalls when I got a bright red pair. I wasn't yet in school, but remember them more than any other single piece of clothing I had during those years. Photos show me outside playing or giving one of my impromptu singing performances atop a vinyl ottoman, happily wearing my favorite overalls.
</p>

<p>When I entered school, pants (including overalls) were banned from my wardrobe by my father who felt I now needed to learn to at least dress like a young lady. I missed my overalls, which I'd long outgrown. And my permanently skinned knees and elbows from being a tomboy attested to the fact that the "young lady" idea wasn't working. 
</p>

<p>After reaching the ripe old age of 18, I rediscovered my love of overalls. I could easily slip them over shorts or swimsuits. I could carry my keys, a hair brush, money, and other necessities without a problem. There were even pockets large enough to hold a cold soda if I needed to. They were roomy, comfortable, convenient, and could be worn year-round.
</p>

<p>I can't help but grin when I think of these fashion designers pulling out their hair trying to create versatile, functional work and playwear. The perfect piece was created years ago -- overalls.
</p>



<p><b>Happy birthday Friday to</b> Maudine Arnold, Bill Smith, Dianna White, Gloria Worthington, Jasmine Edmonson and Rayce Hite, all of Sherman; John W. Mosley, Judy Hudson, Patti Osbourn, Richard Batts and Trina Kaye McMillin, all of Denison; Deonna White of McKinney; Eric Allison of Howe; Dave Gressett of Tioga; Chris Hill of Bonham; and Kiry Davis.
</p>

<p>Happy anniversary Friday to Cecil and Patricia Mask of Sherman, 38 years; Mark and Jacqueline Davis of Denison, 22 years; Larry and Vickie Gressett of Dorchester, 6 years.
</p>

<p><b>Happy birthday Saturday to</b> Candice Binning and Kenneth Fox, both of Denison; Kathy Hopper of Tom Bean; Roger Eichelberger, Mark Blanton, Millie Greene and Carolyn Phelps, all of Sherman; Kim Jones of Rockport; Gerry Redling of Bells; Maxine Gatlin of Bonham; Nancy Milby of Boswell, Okla.; Gary Shields of Howe; Stoney Wood of Savoy.
</p>

<p><b>Happy anniversary Saturday to</b> Jeff and Roseanna Ingram of Pottsboro, 13 years.</p>