It’s Friday and Peter’s half term break is almost over. Over breakfast, his mother tells him that his grandmother will be visiting this afternoon. “Do I have to wear my dress… again.” he asked.

“Only if you want to.” his mother says.

“I’d rather not.” Peter admits. “If that’s OK?”

“Of course.” his mother smiled.

I must admit I was a little nervous as I drove over to my daughter’s house. I’m not sure if encouraging this petticoating lark is a good thing or not… but left up to his mother alone the poor boy is likely to have nothing but prissy sissy dresses to wear.

Fact is I don’t really have a clue what girls like to wear these days. Yesterday I visited the Arndale Centre. Not only did it have a good selection of fashion stores, but being half term it was also full of young girls either hanging around in groups or shopping with their parents. I tried to get a feel of the types of fashions twelve year old girls were wearing. So many of them just wear jeans or trackies with a hoodie… and I’m sure Peter already has clothes that fit that description, even if he doesn’t get to wear them these days.

I felt a little devious on the clothes stores. After being asked if I needed any help, I told telling them I was looking or something ‘nice’ for my ‘granddaughter’, but nothing too nice. I knew what I wasn’t looking for, but couldn’t really visualise what I was. “She’s a bit of a tom-boy you see.” I’d say if they suggested something too pretty, which they mostly did. Then they’d direct me to the jeans or tracksuits, so I’d explain that I wanted something not quite so boyish. “She always dresses so plain.” I lied.

“And you’re want to help her find the girl within?” the young assistant in Fashion Bazaar asked.

“Something like that.” I replied.

“Well… maybe a skirt and top instead of a dress?”

I visualised Peter in his one and only dress, and that being a look I wanted him to get away from, I agreed.

The assistant suggested a number of long sleeved t-shirts. Some too plain, some too girlie. “Well… maybe this is a bit of both.” the assistant suggested. “My little sister’s a bit of a tom boy too… but she loves this top.”

I was a long sleeved t-shirt with a short sleeved t-shirt on top. The hems had those nice ruffled edges, and they were available in a number of colour combinations.

The assistant then selected a cute little ra-ra skirt. Black with lilac polka-dots and a purple satin bow detail. “It’s a bit on the girlie side but… it’s more ‘sassy’ than ‘girlie’… and would look great with one of these.” she suggested, pulling out one of the t-shirt in a t-shirt tops in purple and lilac.

The two items did work well together. “She’s only twelve though… isn’t the skirt a little too short?”

“Not if she wore a pair of leggings too.” the assistant said. “And tom-boys don’t really like them too long… if my little sis is anything to go by. Maybe purple to match the top?” she suggested.

“Do you have those?” I asked.

“Of course.” she smiled before leading me to another aisle with the skirt and top in hand. She found me a pair of purple leggings exactly the same shade of purple that was on the top, and assembled the combination as best she could.

I tried to imagine my grandson wearing such an outfit, and wondered if he’d like it or not. Maybe the ra-ra skirt is still a bit too girlie… or ‘sassy’ as the assistant described it. It’s a lot less girlie than his dress, that’s for sure.

The young assistant was certainly good at her job. She suggested a pair of canvas baseball shoes in lilac, to tie in with the lilac of the top. “Lilac and purple is a nice combination but not too girlie.”

“Sassy?”

“Exactly.” the young assistant smiled.

I looked at the clothes once again and wondered if I was doing the right thing or not. “Pardon my age but… what does ‘sassy’ mean?”

“It’s kind of… confident, bubbly, cheeky maybe.” she replied, complete with jazz hands. “not prissy or too girlie.” she added.

She had me sold. Plus having taken up ten minutes of her time I’d feel mean if I left empty handed. The counter was adorned with inexpensive items of jewellery, cosmetics and hair accessories. I cast my eyes rather blankly over the display as the assistant scanned each item. She must have noticed me as she suggested “Maybe a nice hair band to complete the outfit?”

“Oh I don’t know.” I replied as I imagined him with an Alice band or similar on his head. “He. She’s not really the type.” I gulped.

The assistant reached over the till and turned one of the displays towards her. “This one would be perfect.” she says, selecting a wide black Alice band with tiny white spots. Stitched along the middle was a band of purple ribbon with a small purple bow on one side. “I’ll throw it in anyway.” she smiled as she dropped it in to the bag. “It’s perfect for the skirt and… she doesn’t have to wear it if she doesn’t like it.”

“Oh that’s very kind of you.” I said before typing my number in to the chip and pin machine.

She handed me my bag and said she hopes my granddaughter likes it, and to come back soon. I thanked her and left. My eyelids dropped as I recalled almost saying ‘he’ and not ‘she’.

Now I’m in two minds as I turn into the cul-de-sac. He’s being petticoated by his mother at home and at school… does he really want his grandmother to join in too?

“Hi Granny.” Peter smiled as he opened the front door.

I looked him up and down as I stepped in side. “Not got your frock on today?” I asked.

“Nah.” he replied as he looked down at himself; boys jeans, girls socks, boy’s fleece top. “I think mum wanted me to wear it again but.”

“You didn’t?” I smiled as I followed him into the kitchen. “Hello Patricia.”

“Hi Mum… tea?” she asked as she hovered by the kettle.

“Oh please I’m parched.” I replied as I placed the large paper boutique carrier bag on the floor.

Patricia glanced at it. “Been shopping?” she asked.

“Yes.” I smiled, glancing at my grandson as I hung my coat on the back of a dining chair. Had he been wearing his dress it would have been easier, but since he’s wearing his boy clothes the offering of some new girl’s clothes feels a bit mean. “Just a few bots and bobs.” I added so as not to commit myself, or Peter just yet. “Have you been enjoying half term?” I asked.

Peter told me about going ten pin bowling with his friends; John, Michael, Thomas, Katy, Amanda & Paul.. all under the watchful eye of John & Michaels mother, and Katy’s mother. He said he was rubbish at bowling, but enjoyed it anyway. He also had some homework to do…

“Homework… in half term?” I quizzed. Peter nodded. Patricia said it’s common these days. I said it seemed unfair on their week off. Peter then told me their old neighbours, Sarah and her mother Judith visited on Monday afternoon, and his old friend Andrew came to visit on Wednesday. “Well you’ve certainly been keeping yourself busy.” I said. “Are you looking forward to going back to school?” I asked.

“Yeah.” he replied. He sounded as eager as any child would. Not too keen but not too bothered.

“I think he’s looking forward to his uniform after wearing his dress all week.” his mother added as she poured the tea.

“You’ve not had him wearing it all week have you?” I asked. “Even when his friends visited?”

Patricia told me he had worn it daily, but thankfully not when his friends were round, or when he went bowling. “Just a couple of hours each day.” she added as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“I wore it all day on Tuesday.” Peter stated.

“Well you wasn’t going anywhere.” his mother added as she placed a mug of tea in front of us. She pulled out a chair and joined us at the table. I cast Peter an empathetic look. Poor thing having to wear his ghastly frock from dawn ’til dusk. His mother must have noticed my concern. “He forgets all about it once it’s on.” she added. “Don’t you Love?”

“Kind of.” he replied. “It’s just a bit boring wearing the same thing everyday.”

“I had a feeling they might be the case.” I said. “So I took the liberty…” I picked up the large carrier bag and placed it on the vacant chair between Peter and myself.

Peter’s jaw dropped just a little. “Is that for me?” he timidly asked.

I smiled at him and nodded. “I hope you like it.” I gulped as he peered inside.

“Well have a look then.” Patricia said, encouraging him to actually dip his hands inside.

“Is it another dress?” he asked as he reached in.

“Not quite.” I said. “I hope you like it though… it’s not too…”

“Prissy.” my daughter added.

“I hope not.” I gulped as he removed the top item.

“Oh that’s nice.” his mother said as he unfolded the ra-ra skirt.

Peter gulped and said thank you. Clearly he’s not so sure.

“There’s a top and some leggings too.” I informed him.

He slowly dipped his hand inside the bag, removed the top and unfolded that.

“Trendy.” his mother said. “And matching leggings.” she added as he removed and unfolded them. Patricia cast me a smile. “Well this is a nice surprise isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Peter peeped. “Thank you.” he nervously said. “There’s some shoes too… and a…” he added as he removed the canvas baseball shoes and the Alice band. “…head band.” He looked at it in such a way he clearly wasn’t sure about wearing it.

I wasn’t sure about it either. “The assistant threw that in as a freebie because it matches the skirt.” I said. “But you don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.”

“These are cute.” his mother said as she picked up and scrutinised it. “They match your top.”

His new outfit lay on the kitchen table. Peter looked over the items nervously and I began to fear I’d done the wrong thing. Maybe the last thing he wants is for me to join in with this petticoating lark too. Still it’s done now and the ball’s in his court. “I’m not suggesting you have try them on straight away, but … I hope you at least give them a try.” I said.

“Well I think he should try them on straight away.” Patricia stated. “Don’t you?” she said to her son.

“Er… yes.” he replied.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he’s just been well programmed as he bundled up the clothes and took them upstairs. Both his mother and I watched him leave. I smiled a nervous smiles, She smiled back. I told I wasn’t sure if I’d done the right thing or not by buying him girl’s clothes, but added. “I just thought he’d like something a bit more modern than that frock.”

“I’m sure he will.” his mother replied. “Although I’m not sure it meets with the guidelines.” she added.

Of course I questioned this.

Patricia explained that ‘the guidelines’ for petticoating boys recommend they be dressed in more traditional styles such as his prairie dress, “…with plenty of frills and flounce.” she said, “Rather than modern or trendy styles.”

“Oh.” I exclaimed. “I’m sure it won’t do him any harm though.” I said. “Wearing something ‘modern’.”

“I agree.” Patricia smiled. “I don’t follow them to the letter.” she added. “The guidelines also recommend they be petticoated all day, every day… even in front of their friends.” she said as my mouth opened. “But I wouldn’t put him though that.” she added to my relief.

“I hope not. We do have his dignity to consider.” I stated. “What else do these ‘guidelines’ recommend?”

Patricia slid her chair back and stepped over the the welsh dresser. She opened a drawer and removed a booklet. “Like I say, I don’t follow it to the letter.” she said as she passed it to me.

I flicked through the pages. There’s plenty of pictures of prissy sissy dresses, baby doll nighties, frilly knickers, vests, training bras, dainty shoes; all with heels, dress coats, hats and bonnets. “It’s like a 1930’s catalogue.” I noted as I scanned the pictures on each page. School wear, play suits, even girl’s swimming costumes and floral swimming caps are recommended!

“Here he is.” Patricia announced.