Sometimes a Different Perspective is Needed

              I have had trouble finding some company to purchase my work shirts in. Then last while I was in Tractor Supply Company, I noticed some T shirts which had the pocket and they were Carhartt’s.  I looked at the shirts and purchase seven of them and then tried to find an embroidery shop to place my companies name and my state license number above the pockets.  I was amazed at the affordability of it. But while talking the cost I found out the cost points. I went back to Tractor Supply Company to exchange one that was not my size (I only look at the hanger’s size disclaimer) and picked up five long sleave T-shirts with pockets, which also were Carhartt’s. The embroidery shop told me I could pick up the shirts in a week. I asked to have the right of approval on their design for the embroidery and left.

              There are several reasons that I wear company T-shirts or Polo-shirts.

• The shirts identify that I am with a company to someone which may not know me.
• I am able to separate my work clothing from my personal clothing. I do not want my work clothing to possibly ruin my personal attire.
• Work clothing doesn’t look nice as long or last at long, but as long as it remains functional, I wear the less attractive item for painting and other task which do appear as nice.
•  I try to keep in mind that the publics eye is always watching me, so it pays off to look professional at all times when interacting with the public.
• By keeping the receipts for the clothing and the cost of the embroidery all of those items I need for work are tax deductible.

In the past I always purchased to same color T-shirts, but this time I did not do so. I purposely picked out different colors. I did it because the individual items wear out or need replacement at different times. By purchasing different color of these items, it will not show which item is older to the causal onlooker. I also know some people like different colors more than others and this small thing may affect who they hire.

Sometimes, when we look at our problems from a different perspective we come away with a better solution. It appears to me that I may have done so. By purchasing the shirts separately, I chose the quality of shirts I wanted. (I have near purchased Carhartt T-shirts before but they make rugged, durable nice looking other items. For me the brand produced the sell.) By taking my items to the embroidery shop I was able to give the instructions to change colors of the thread for the lettering based on the color of the T-shirt. Lighter T-shirt get black lettering and darker items get white.  Some will view these little things and think that they aren’t that important. That is fine, but I believe that the Devil’s in the details. I am also thinking that this may be the way I purchase my work attire in the future. I like have more control over the quality of my shirts and not having to pick for the few suppliers the old print shops offered. I like being able to adjust thread color based on item color and overall best appearance. (The print shop cannot do this as easily and therefor they’d charge for the additional set up. My shop will not, in fact the artist suggested that we did it as described.)

America has suffered from the “too big to fail mentality”. However, there are times when being a small mom and pop shop work to our advantage. Perhaps, if we consumers were to weigh the true cost of this too big to fail mentality, we’d also return to quality, and ethics we’ve been longing for. Maybe if we were to support, these endeavors our communities would regain the hometown feeling we’ve sacrificed along the way. Who knows,Mr. Porter’s anything for the buck philosophy may be affecting other areas of our lives.