h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The point of having daughters.

Having given birth to two sons, I've learnt to love, cherish and pull my hair out at their slobbiness around the house, the intermittant flatluence, the constant stream of rather strange appearing friends they've gathered over the years, the beer cans, and the big teenagerly hugs I get given from them when they think their brother isn't looking.

I can see the point of sons - they're someone to argue intelligently with - rather than just screech and cry at,....and 90% of the time my make up is used only by me - as are any nice soaps, bath foams and body lotions. And I've always got a spare pair of stockings that haven't been "borrowed" and returned with ladders in them.

But today I figured out the point of having a daughter or two as well.

I went out with the intent of buying a coat/jackety garment at the local Monsoon; I didn't need one, but it was good price and I liked the look of it; I'd tried it on, on Saturday, wasn't absolutely certain, so decided to try again today; could I find a girlfriend to come with me to give me an honest assessment?

Could I hell as like!

So I went on me jack, and ventured into Monsoon - tried the jackety thing on, and asked the assistant her honest opinion.

I didn't expect to get one, but I was pleasantly surprised; she told me, very politely and tactfully it wasn't really "me"

"Thats the problem with not having daughters" I said "I haven't much of a clue whats right for me in the way of clothes"



She asked a few questions about the sort of stuff I did like, bundled me into the changing room with a basic skirt (which I actually *do need) and proceeded to offer more Trinny and Susannah type advice about "shapes" of clothes, etc etc, than I knew existed

And as I tend towards the hippy, the baggy and occaisionally, the downright eccentric in the way of clothing as a rule, this was all a bit of a revalation

3 Hours

(- I mean... 3 hours!!! I've usually done a full week's food shop, tuned the car up and organised dinners for the month for the freezer in less time than that -)

later I sashayed out of Monsoon with...

A basic, classic skirt (brownish with flecks of bluey green and bronze)


A soft bluey-green tunic that works with the skirt, and will also work with several pairs of trousers I've already got


A jade green top that covers a huge multitude of sins between my bust and backside and makes me look really rather slim from the appropriate angle, which'll work with a lot of other stuff I've already got. It certainly shows off a rather superbe decollage I didn't realise I still possess

A really funky primary blue tunic (linen mixture, if you please!) I can wear over leggings around the house until I pluck up the courage to go out into the streets in it (Herne Bay is not really Haute Couture Central)

And best of all, an absolutely magnificent silk wrap over dress, chocolate brown and teal. The sort of thing you could wear absolutely anywhere, feel fantastic in, and I don't care if Monsoon *don't do bespoke, I'm going to believe it was designed and made for me, because it looks fantastic on. I feel like a million dollars in it.

And it was all down to this little assistant! No hard sell, just enthusiasm, interest and a lot of giggling and fun. A real girly morning, with no pressure, no pointedly looking at watches and absolutely no mention of how boring shops are. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for her, and every item I tried on I got a professional assessment.

And the cost?

£75.00 for the lot.

Oh. Did I not mention they had a Sale on?

So now I can see why women say they're glad they have daughters.

Its great having sons, but sometimes.....

Well, their enthusiasm for clothes and all things girly, does leave a bit to be desired.

That sounds like a very nice experience! Even though I have practically nothing to say on the subject of women's clothes, my head is often unconsciously alerted to the presence of a well dressed woman.

I enjoy the experience of getting a set of clothes to wear, despite the fact that it is a rare occurance - it is a pleasent shot in the arm, delivering a powerful dose of confidence when I most need it.

And only 70 pounds? Amazing!

Hello, EC, haven't seen you around for a while.

You sound as if you had a lovely, satisfying morning, and guess what? I bet you will go there again. Give the girl a medal. You certainly found a gem there.

I have/had two boys, you know the sort that raise their eyebrows in mock horror if mother tried to be anything other than, well, ,,,mother!!

Not sure about girls I'm very happy with what I've got!!

Leggings!!!!! Much maligned as a fashion statement but so comfortable, and apparently back in fashion, but I can't find any anywhere. I am down to my last pair


Websailor

Hallo you two!

You're right, it was a lovely experience - I so very seldom *do* the whole girly thing, all the primping and preening and trying on umpteen sorts of clothing for the sheer fun of it, that it really was a complete novelty for me.

And you're right about the self confidence thing, too WP - I've been floating on air and feeling really good in myself since - I hadn't realised I was in a bit of a rut appearance wise until my little assistant offered a couple of combinations of colours and shapes I wouldn't have even considered putting together. Objectively speaking, I was quite amazed at the different image I projected - I'm very good at Old Hippy (I have loads of long, baggy well loved velvet-y clothes in lots of rich colours - a friend of mine refers to them as "Ev's Upholstery collection, as they remind him of soft furnishings!)... but I don't have many understated, elegant every day clothes.

Well, I didn't, until midday yesterday, anyway

Today I'm off up to The Mothers to take her out for lunch for her birthday, so I can start utilising my new wardrobe

I can get you leggings Webbie - get in touch on thewitchery -at- msn-dot-com, let me know what sort you want, and an idea of colours/price range etc and next time I jaunt to Canterbury (I go most weeks now Tom's back at college) I'll have a hunt for you if you like. The ones I got were a glorious rich bronze colour, which goes amazingly well with the primary blue. They cost £6.99 and since they don't have feet to lacerate should last me a good while.

Perhaps thats half my trouble - I buy clothes to last me years and not just a couple of seasons - I know I got myself some incredable bargains, but I felt soo extravagant spending that much on myself

It was great

And I think I could be forced to go back, you know

That little lass certainly does deserve a medal - I'm doodling around, at the moment, designing her a bracelet I can make and drop it into her to says a proper Thankyou

I've started beading classes and I've found I'm pretty adept at stuff I'd previously thought of as really complicated Its not exactly a medal, but the gesture is one I'd like to give.