That Dress!

 

A number of people mentioned my African print dress. Here's the story... When we lived in Leicestershire, I sometimes went to the nearby village of Anstey. They had two two primary schools, and I did quite a bit of supply teaching in one of them in the early 2000s. In the centre of the village was a square - round it were a variety of shops; bakers, butchers,coffee shop, newsagent, PO, hardware store, hairdresser,  building society, chippy and florist. But also a charity shop and a branch of Nat West Bank. It was quicker and easier to drive to Anstey, park for free, and use that branch, than to go into the City Centre for my own bank. And back then, we occasionally had cheques to pay in. And if it was open I'd cheque out the CS. 

One summer day I found the dress on a sale rail. It was less than £5. I liked the cool cotton, and the vibrant print, and the amber 'glass' beads round the neckline. It was originally from Primark. There was a lot of fabric in the dress and I thought that even if I wore it just for the summer, I could recycle the beads and fabric for other makes. That was 2007! And every time I wear it, I receive compliments.

But the best was in 2008. I'd been at a Garden Party on a very hot day - but felt cool and comfortable. On the way home I was passing the big out of town M&S and I stopped to buy fresh milk in the Foodhall. 

As I queued, I realised two Rather Posh ladies behind me were discussing The Dress "it's exactly the sort of thing I want for the wedding. Bright, but cool, and comfortable. I love the print, and it's a flattering style... The beaded neckline is gorgeous" I turned round and smiled. One woman blushed, the other said "Please, where did you buy it? I'm going to a society wedding next month and that dress is so unusual, it would be just perfect..." I  admitted that it was from a CS. [didn't mention Primark, they didn't sound like they'd shop there!]

When I recounted the tale later, one friend said that my response should have been "Look, we are in M&S. Buy me a dress in here, and I'll put it and give you this one" I thought at the time that would have been a brilliant solution. But 16 years later, I'm glad I've kept my dress. It still sparks much joy.

Thanks for the kind words for Bob. He is learning to cope with his crutches. But it is both tiring and frustrating at times. George and Jacob decorated his big black boot with stickers to cheer him up!