Most of Mom's clothes went to the VA. I had either purchased or been with her when she purchased the clothes. 

The last few years I helped her in the dressing room. We would laugh at what others must be thinking as well as scrutinizing which garments looked good on her. Mom was vain about her appearance and wouldn't purchase anything that didn't fit perfectly and make her look good. 

I was eager to donate the clothes to the VA because it was her favorite program and I couldn't bear looking at her clothes in the closet.

The last year or so, I had to apply her makeup because her hands shook. I drew the line at lipstick, I could never apply it properly and she looked like Baby Jane. She was able to apply lipstick to the very end. Mom wouldn't leave the house without makeup. I did whatever she wanted, except the lipstick.

The very last shopping trip she had abdomen swelling and went up to size 1X. Mom didn't ask the size and I didn't tell her. She had always loved shopping. I hated shopping but tried to make it good for her. Every time she stood up to look in the mirror my hands went out to steady her. She loved trying on clothes. I was always vigilant to make sure she didn't fall. 

I used to pray she wouldn't need to use the restroom while we were shopping. It was always a production getting her on and off the toilet. I usually didn't bother which restroom we used until that time when a man was standing at the urinal. After that I always took her to the women's restroom. 

In 2009 when I brought her to California I noticed all the sizing tags in her clothes were cut out. I was flummoxed and asked her why, she said she didn't want anyone to know her size. If you don't know, it is very difficult for a man to take his cognitively compromised mother shopping and figure out what sizes are needed. I learned about bra sizes, shoes, pants, blouses. Why is everything so different from men's sizing?!

When she couldn't go out I ordered online. One of my last purchases which I donated to the VA was a pair of BUCK&BUCK shoes that didn't pinch her toes. She wore them once or twice and I felt bad I hadn't found them earlier. 

The final time we dealt with clothes was the night she died. My spouse and I picked out clothes for her to wear to the mortuary. The nurse and I cleaned her up and dressed her. I brushed her hair and put the makeup on. No, I didn't apply lipstick. 

I was born and raised in CA.  When Nordstrom came to be (a high scale clothing store) mom became a regular shopper-clothing for sure but my mom loved purses!

I enjoyed your story about clothes and all that you did to help your mother with them- takes a special guy (person)/son to do that!  

Thank you for sharing your special escapades.

PS As a woman I do not order clothing online because women's sizing IS, as you stated, so wierd...Even if I were to order the size I would use mediums run large, large runs small; then there are misses, women and plus.  I hated to shop too nut our moms loved it.

When moms cremains are added to dad's (700 miles away) I am adding a few grave goods one of which is a blankempty Nordstrom gift card...It's silver with hearts.