Orange Neru Jacket

Back in the mid-60s, the Beatles made a fashion statement when they wore a jacket that became so popular. It was the Neru jacket. I remember looking at the Department Store window in our downtown men's store and thinking I have to have one of those. Unfortunately, I wanted one so bad I was willing to compromise one important clothing criteria- color. The only one left in a boy's "large" was a bright Orange. Despite my mother's wonderful counsel that I should wait for restocking of a more favorable color, I decided I had to have that style "now".

The first day I wore that new Orange Neru jacket out in public was the next Sunday for church. While my family dreaded the car ride to church, I was totally ignorant of how silly I looked. It must have been like a bald eagle. The neck was snug and the balance of fabric just made me visible a mile from the main door. As loving as the local church was, their huge disbelieving eyes and dropped jaws sent a convincing but unspoken message that my investment of hard earned money and allowances had not been wisely spent. I was in a financial mess. Money spent for something I would never wear more than once.

I learned an additional lesson from my Mom: Let my sister help pick out my clothes!

Has anything like this happened to you? What did you learn?

MoneyCounsel

PS My Mom also helped me out by wearing the Neru jacket the following week. She got a lot of compliments. Orange looked great on her. She was really stylish.