My friend, Diana, told me recently that she likes to try on clothing before she buys it. I totally agree! However, that option is becoming less available as brick-and-mortar stores close. Internet shopping seems to be the preferred method in today’s world. Scrolling through a worldwide selection of clothing is hard to pass up.
My generation grew up trying on clothes before buying them. We took them off the rack, held them up, and felt the texture of the material. If they “passed the test,” we brought them into a dressing room with a full-length mirror. To get a better view, we stepped outside, where there was a large three-sided mirror. You could twirl around and see the clothing from all angles.
If you needed a different size, a sales clerk was standing nearby and would get it for you. There was no need to hunt down the item on your own!
When you left the store, you knew the clothing fit properly and was well made. Most likely, you paid cash for what you bought, as credit cards were not a standard payment method back then.
Knowing that the purchase you brought home was exactly what you wanted seems a whole lot easier than taking a chance with an online order. Yes, I am an old fashioned gal who feels that buying clothes and shoes online is a last resort method of shopping. You are taking a chance that the clothes will fit and that the material is the quality you are looking for. When you find out the items are not what you expected, you have to package them for return, fill out paperwork, and wait for your credit card to be credited. Apparently, that method is acceptable for today’s shoppers, but it makes me long for the days of yore!
Where did women shop for clothes in downtown Rutland back in the ’60s? You could go to the Economy Store on Merchants Row if you needed to outfit yourself completely, from underwear to stockings, clothes, and shoes. The corset department had a clerk who made sure that you got the proper fit for undergarments. It was best to start there and head to their women’s section. Picking out the shoes best suited for your clothing purchase was the final department to visit. Everything you needed was under one roof.
On the corner of West Street and Merchants Row was another department store, Ross-Huntress. It was nice to have two stores that carried all your clothing needs from head to toe in one place.
Another popular place for women to shop was The Fashion Shop on upper Merchants Row. That store was the go-to place for the Pendleton brand, which was very popular in the ’60s. My college days were over during this decade, and it was time to enter the “work world.” You couldn’t go wrong with a Pendleton skirt, jacket, and sweater. In addition to a wonderful selection of clothing on the first floor, there was a bridal section on the second floor. Nate Goldman, his son, Bill, and their staff ensured you were well taken care of.
When I was making the rounds as I shopped downtown, I always went to The Towne Shop on the corner of Center Street and Merchants Row. There was a nice variety of clothing to choose from, and prices were reasonable. If you could vote for a “Favorite Downtown Clerk” my choice would have been Marion Fredette. She always greeted you with a smile and was genuinely interested in helping you find what was right for you.
Another choice for women’s clothing arrived in the late ‘60s when Ladies’ Country store opened on the corner of Merchants Row and West Street. The location was a family affair as Barbara Carbine operated the ladies’ store, and her husband, Bill, could be found next door in Carbine Anderson, which was a men’s store. The Carbines used to be our neighbors on Howard Avenue. My mother and I loved shopping in Barbara’s store. She chose her inventory with care and always made you feel special as you made your selections.
With such a magnificent choice in downtown Rutland, I don’t think the clothing stores mentioned above would have had any trouble competing with the internet. You can’t go back in time, but you can “look back” and remember what a fun experience it was to visit the downtown stores and select your wardrobe.
