Welcome to White Cane Connections.

My name is Sue Boman. Yes, that’s me in the picture posted here. I have called this blog White Cane Connections because I am one of the many people who use a white cane. I began this blog because I wanted to write about a project I undertook in 2012. The plan was to complete a series of walks using my white cane. Between March and September, I walked in 82 different locations across Canada. So, the blog begins by telling of my experiences and the many people I met along the way.

While this particular journey has now been completed, I find that I still have much to write about. I am continuing to make new white cane connections, and so for the time being I will continue to add regular posts to this blog. I am hoping that you will be a partner in the journey.

Sue


Tuesday, 18 July 2017

July 18 - Choosing Clothes












In the past three weeks I have been asked on three separate occasions how I manage to choose my clothes. I’m not sure if this has been plain curiosity or perhaps because I have been cleverly coordinated or terribly mismatched. I have decided to go with the first option and take the question seriously. I am no expert for sure but this is what I do.

When it comes to buying clothes, I like to have someone with me. Lyle is an obvious choice and not only does he help me choose, but he also pays for my purchases.  Basically I try to describe to Lyle what it is that I want, and patient man that he is, he searches the store to find it. Lyle and I don’t have the same taste in clothes but he knows what I like to wear and doesn’t try to dissuade me to his way of thinking. He is also honest enough to let me know if what I have chosen is totally unflattering.

So, that is step one. Step two is sorting things out once I am home. With my so called dress up outfits, it is all relatively easy. I put clothes on hangers with matching skirt and top. They stay that way. I do have a bit of trouble when it comes to pants and tops. I have more tops than pants and I can’t tell the difference between the darker colours – navy, black and brown. Then it is helpful to have Lyle around when I am getting dressed. I think that if I was on my own I might just limit myself and possibly only go with black, which goes with almost everything.

This brings me to socks. I only ever buy white or black socks.  I remember talking with my friend, Norma, about my frustration in trying to match socks – colour and style. She gave me a fairly obvious solution. Always buy the same style, and as my sight is enough to tell the difference between white and black, then those are the two colours to buy. I have followed this advice and it has made things so much easier.

When it comes to shoes, I only have a few pairs and I tend to remember the colours. Actually, I usually wear running shoes when I am out walking. I find that it is easier on my feet. I do have a tendency to bump into things and if I am wearing sandals or going barefoot, those little bumps don’t do my toes or feet any good.

So, those are my fashion hints. I think that people who are blind or partially sighted usually work out their own method of choosing clothes. It is simply a matter of finding what works. My best tip for anyone – sighted or not – is to be organized.

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