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High Water Pants Poor

High Water Pants Poor

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High Water Pants Poor--boy's legs and bare feet wearing tight, ripped, and too short jeansAll my life, I heard people talk about high water pants. They meant pants that were too short. Sometimes they bought them without trying them on for a proper fit. In most cases, they had either outgrown them or washed them until they shrank

When children outgrew their pants and families could not afford more, they were high water pants poor.

They had to make do until they could do better.

High water pant legs stop above the ankle.

I never considered that a fashion statement. However, many people desire high water pants. In fact, I have worn them without realizing they fit the definition. Various names include:

  • Capris
  • Cropped pants
  • Flood pants
  • Ankle pants
  • Kick flares
  • Clam diggers
  • Pedal Pushers

Like ripped jeans, what was once a sign of poverty became a fashion trend.

The high water pants poor are often richer than they think.

Like the dirt poor, they enjoy wealth beyond measure if they have:

  • Safe housing
  • Food for every day
  • Access to medical care
  • More than one change of clothes, fashionable or not
  • Family and friends who love them

Money cannot buy the greatest riches.

Peace, love, hope, and joy do not depend on stylish clothes or financial gain. Those signs of success never last. Rather, true riches come from following Jesus and finding new life and purpose in Him.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV).

Thanks to Ona Buckner Sidebottom for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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Dressed to the Nines

Dressed to the Nines

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Dressed to the Nines-an old photo of couple with four children in dress clothesYears ago, on Easter and other special occasions, people dressed to the nines. They wore new or favorite old dress clothes. Women often wore hats and men wore ties. Children squirmed in their stiff fancy attire.

Many people still dress up for special days. Others skip new clothes and donate the money they save.

Dressed to the nines means to wear formal or stylish clothes.

The clothing usually:

  • Draws attention
  • Meets the latest fashions
  • Looks elegant and glamorous

The origin of this expression remains uncertain. The Free Dictionary and The Phrase Finder offer possible explanations.

Dressing up occasionally feels good.

When life overwhelms, and people need relief, an improved appearance often leads to an improved mood. Grubby clothes feel good physically, but dress clothes often feel good emotionally. Dressing to the nines helps people feel like they are on cloud nine.

Regardless of outer appearance, always dress to the nines inwardly.

The description “beautiful inside and out” directs attention to people’s inward beauty. As another expression explains, pretty is as pretty does,

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NIV).

 Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion.

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