This seemed to convince the assistant who asked her age (the imaginary girlfriend) and suggested something like a handbag or vanity case. “Then you won’t have to worry about getting the right size.” she added.
“Oh that’s a good idea.” Mum exclaimed. The assistant pointed us in the direction of the handbags and Mum said we’d work our way around. The assistant left us to browse. I complimented my mother on her quick thinking. She told me that I worry too much. “It might be the girl’s department but that doesn’t mean it’s exclusive. Males can shop here too…” she shrugged. “…sometime for gifts, sometime for themselves.” she said as she returned the skirt to its rail. “So what do you think?”
I looked at the skirt and turned my nose up. “I don’t like the buttons.” I said. “And I’m not sure about the colour.”
“The burgundy or the fact that it’s got a colour?” Mum asked. “So far everything you like is either black or grey.”
“I liked those blue shorts.” I said.
“Yeah but you’ve got shorts at home.”
“There’s loads of Hannah’s old clothes at home too.” I retorted. “So why are we looking at new ones?”
“We’re just browsing… I’m trying to get an idea of what you like and you can get an idea of what’s available.” she replied. “Come on, lets have a look at the handbags.”
This section was another whole new world to me. Guys just have rucksacks, duffel or messenger bags to keep their stuff in. Girls have the same plus satchels, shoulder bags, handbags, clutch bags, purses, vanity cases and tote bags. “What’s the point of such a small bag?” I asked as Mum looked at a clutch bag. “Surely the bigger the better?”
“Well… you don’t go everywhere with a rucksack do you?” Mum asked. “Sometimes all you have is your keys, a phone and a wallet.”
“Yeah but they can go in pockets.”
“Not if you’re wearing a dress without any pockets.” she replied.
“Yeah true.” I said. “The pockets in those shorts weren’t very big.”
“Which is why a little handbag comes in handy.” my mother informed me, adding “…not that you need one.”
Eventually we exited New Look and sauntered into Warehouse followed by Guess, where Mum was taken by some of their T shirts with the shop’s name printed on the front. I was mildly amused by the idea of wearing shorts, tights and a T shirt with ‘guess’ printed on it, but couldn’t believe the price. “…for a T shirt!” I quietly exclaimed.
“Like I say, we’re just looking.” Mum replied. “Can we look in the Disney store?”
“Yeah.” I replied. Its as much Star Wars as it is Princesses and Mickey Mouse these days, although we spent more time looking at the cute stuff rather than the cool stuff.
Mum likes the Tinker Bell stuff but acknowledges that at 48, she’s a bit too old for it. You’re telling me! I’m not even fifteen and I’m too old for it… but saying that, some of the sketched designs were quite cool. Mum also liked the girl’s Star Wars stuff. There’s T shirts, leggings, nighties & pyjamas, dresses and hoodies. She especially liked the Don’t Mess With a Princess and don’t Call Me Princess designs. “Oh look at this!” she says, picking out a storm trooper princess dress. The top half has a storm trooper uniform printed on it and the bottom is a long white tutu. It even comes with a helmet!
“Hey there’s a Darth Vader one too!” I pointed out. Mum preferred the storm trooper one. I did too.