Monday, January 28, 2013

What to Wear to a Dog Fight

Every dog has its day-wear

Let's get this straight: I'm not going to a dog fight— ever. Or a rooster rumpus or any unsavory sporting event that is basically not sport. But what a great expression: "I wouldn't wear that to a dog fight". It speaks volumes. Not only do you hate it, this is a despicable garment that had no right to be manufactured.

There have been a number of home-sewn efforts which qualified. In this case "I wouldn't wear that to a dog fight" is usually muttered under my breath in the presence of no one. Hope springs eternal when it comes to home dressmaking. I try not to ruin good fabric the first time around so my eventual car cleaning rags will not be too much of a loss. On the other hand I'm usually bored with the thing to invest more time and real money. So if I were going to a dog fight, I'd have nothing to wear.

I may think "I wouldn't wear that to a dog fight" when I see an item of clothing that is definitely out of my comfort zone. It may break all the rules of color and design that I'm used to seeing. But it gets much better looking as time goes by. In my book, anything $39.99 and under deserves to be tried on. Quel surprise! It looks soooo much better then. But it's possible I still may not wear it to a dog fight.

The expression is also a very female form of being catty: "She thought she looked so good in that dress, but I wouldn't wear it to a dog fight".

Way back in the dark days when dog fighting was not frowned upon, it was indeed a social event— for sporting gents. And all the stops were out for what they wore:

What a relief! Since I'm not ever going to a dog fight, that's one less occasion to dress for.



3 comments:

  1. I've never heard this saying before - love it!

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  2. My mother said this to me all the time when I was a teenager.

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    Replies
    1. I have a feeling it came down from my mother, too.

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