The story of a skirt

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Once, a long time ago, I needed something nice to wear to a friend’s wedding. Money was tight and most of my shopping was in charity shops but I wanted something ‘posher’ than my usual leggings and T-shirt sort of outfit. Near where I worked there was a little boutique where I had often noticed nice things in the window, but never actually been inside. I ventured into there and plumped for this bright summery skirt (it looks much better on than it does in this picture! It's also longer than it is wide!). I made it to the wedding – just – and the friend was married and all was well. That was at least 30 years ago. The couple went on to have four children, all now grown up, and have since divorced and both settled with new partners. But I still have the skirt. I wore it to at least one other wedding, plus several other occasions. I wore it to summer parties and to work and for all sorts of other day-to-day activities. It also has the handy feature that although it is almost ankle length, it buttons all the way down the front, so I can unbutton it part of the way up from the bottom and tie the sides together so I can ride my bicycle without it catching in the wheels! After about 20 years the elastic started to lose its stretch and the garment was getting a bit saggy. I had decided I would soon have to consign it to the rag bag. But then one day as I was walking to the shops in my lunch break, an older lady stopped me on the street and told me ‘You look like a queen!’ I was very surprised, but thanked her of course. And I re-considered my decision. I bought some thin elastic and re-threaded the bands at the waist, and the skirt was given a new lease of life. That was at least 12 years ago. Now it is Little One’s favourite – every time I muse over what to wear for some outing she suggests this skirt. I wore it last week to a family event, where I was complimented on my outfit by a whole new generation of people! So I think its future is assured, at least for a few more years. And it was certainly well worth its purchase price, which wasn’t all that much really anyway! All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2022.