I took a few pictures from various angles before pestering him to try some knee socks. He wasn’t keen but I got my way and handed him a pair of white pelerine knee socks. “You’ve got to make sure the pattern is perfectly straight, and the tops have to level.” I advised as he pulled them up his legs.
“I’d prefer plain ones.” he moaned.
“Here, try these instead.” I said as he grabbed the ballet shoes.
“I prefer these.” he said as I handed him a pair of black Mary Jane’s with a modest inch-and-a-half heel. Regardless of his preference, he put them on and took his position. I grinned. “what?” he moaned.
“Nothing… you just look cute.” I smiled.
“I feel like a first year.” he bashfully stated.
“You look like one.”
Just then, Mum knocked on the door and entered. “How you getting on?” she asked. “Oh you look nice!” she grinned. “Very sweet.” she said. “It’s a pity your hair isn’t long enough for bunches.”
“Oh mu-um… this is embarrassing enough as it is.” he claimed.
“You’re loving it.” I claimed. Peter claimed otherwise.
Mum asked if we wanted a drink making or a snack fixing and offered and egg & bacon bun along with a pot of tea. I told her that he had one more school skirt to wear, then we’d be down. Mum left. I took a couple of photographs and gave him my black, box pleated skirt to wear.
“Girls get a lot more choice what they can wear for school don’t they.” he said as he took his position. He’s right. Boys can wear black or grey trousers for school whilst girls can wear black, grey or navy blue skirts with knife pleats, box pleats or A-line styles. Hosiery can be black, grey, blue or white and includes ankle socks, knee socks, over-knee socks or tights which can any denier over thirty.
“We get a lot more choice what we can wear full stop.”
“Yeah… seems a bit unfair when you think about it.” Peter supposed. “Not that I intend to start cross-dressing.” he added.
I raised the camera. “You’ve already started.” I chuckled before taking a photo.
“Wouldn’t this skirt look better with black tights?” he asked.
“Maybe… but it stands out better without.” I replied. I took a three more photographs. “Come on, lets go and eat something.”
“Can’t I get changed first?” he asked.
“Why?” I asked. “There’s only us here… no one will see you. No one will know.”
“I know I just feel a bit silly.” he replied. “Can’t I at least put some tights on?” he asked, adding “Black ones?”
“Oh stop being such a wuss… you look fine. Just pretend you’re a girl for the day and you always dress like that.”
“On a Sunday?” he asked.
“I can find you a nice Sunday dress if you prefer.” I suggested.
Peter declined and we headed downstairs. Me in my jeans and a sloppy top, him in my old school shirt, skirt and knee socks. We perched at the breakfast bar and waited for the sizzling bacon to cook and eggs to fry. I poured Peter a cup of tea and slid it toward him, before pouring one for myself and Mum. “Is that supposed to happen?” he asked, noticing the imprint of his lipstick on the rim of his cup.
“We’d rather it didn’t.” I said. “…but it always does.”
“That explains why you’re always reapplying it.” he said. I smiled and he grinned. “I guess us boys have got it easy.” he added. “We don’t have to wear make-up, heels, bras, short skirts, style our hair, shave our legs…”
“Yeah but we like wearing make-up, heels and skirts. We like being able to style our hair in a different way each day.” I said. “And if you shaved your legs you’d know how nice they feel… and when we can’t be bothered we wear pants or tights.”
“Yeah I guess.” he replied. “You’ve certainly got a lot more choice.”
“Well now you’ve had a taste…” Mum optimistically said. “What’s been your favourite so far?”
“None of it.” Peter dryly claimed.
“All the really nice things are to come.” I said. “Yesterday was all jeans, T-shirts, jumpers and leggings… so far today we’ve only done my old school stuff.” I explained, eyeing my brother’s attire. “Isn’t there a school in Kent where the boys have to wear the girl’s uniform?” I vaguely recalled.
