I must have been my mother’s despair! Herself a fashion guru, ahead of even the latest styles and modes, going to work in shocking striped hot pants, heading out to the dance floor with the wide-flared black and white skirts – she was, and still is, the epitome of style and elegance. A gifted seamstress along with all her abilities she had a daughter with whom to share all things clothes!
Seriously, I let the side down. With my head in a book anything like lifting knitting needles was just too much hard work. In school all my attempts during enforced needle work classes were abysmal unfinished failures. Why, oh why, I begged the teachers couldn’t I do woodwork, hammer away, use a wrench, I could only dream of the joy of handling a saw. It was not to be.
Weekends were a race to be dressed. In a hurry to go out and play adventure games in the fields and woods I would throw on anything to hand. The garish ill-matched combinations have me squirming in shame now. Luckily, my mother soon found a compromise to unsightly dressed me as on Friday evenings she left out my weekend play clothes. Next morning I would quickly pull them on; the short battle of contrition was over.
While my teenage friends spent hours, which felt like centuries, trawling C&A and BHS, I’d peel away and ensconce myself in a book shop or two. Perhaps even Woolworth’s records would pull me in and of course, I had no resistance to any stationery shops. Yet the glamorous displays of shoulder pad blouses and bright pink jumpsuits, did not tempt me at all. Not that I was totally immune to clothes by then.
As a child and huge fan of American TV I treasured my black and silver bomber jacket from the States, often wearing it inside. My pleading looks during one shop for trainers ensured I had the most beautiful white Nike pair with the softest of red trims. I’m sure I cried when they finally had to be given up after one too many holes appeared.
Before university one particular store visit is still vivid in my mind. In the colourful Benetton shop a blouse and jumper combination caught my eye, so pretty (I did wonder at this strange sensation to an item of clothing but went with it!). I longed for them but it was just too much. Wasn’t it? Thankfully my mother was equally smitten with the tops. Decades later the blouse still hangs in my wardrobe. The jumper worn thin, holes in the elbows, lasted twenty years. Value for money or what!
Over the years my attitude to clothes developed and became more refined, enjoying the style of modern fashion but at all times comfort is imperative. Even on business trips I would have a pair of practical boots to go with my suit as I headed around a sawmill!
My mother is still as chic and fashionable and were this ever to change I would worry indeed. For now, I am thankful for the occasional gift of one of her clothes, as well as borrowing some for special occasions (weddings etc) before returning them to her expansive wardrobe.
No longer the despair, my mother is happy to help with all things fashion to her eager student daughter — albeit many years later!
@Annika Perry, November 2024
Many thanks for the inspirational prompt by Esther Chilton to write about fashion. A gifted writer, copywriter and writer tutor, Esther shares about the craft of writing, books, inspiring prompts, author interviews, humour and so much more on her lovely blog here.
Annika Perry 
A fun post, Annika. I was a more like you and instead of having a fashionista Mum, I had a fashionista daughter! From the age of three, she would throw a tantrum if I wanted her to wear a practical Tshirt and shorts to kindergarten. She had certain outfits she would deem acceptable to wear, very particular about clothing even from that age. Still is, although it never has to be high fashion, just fashion that is to her taste and stylish!
Amanda, thank you for your lovely comment and sharing about your fashionista daughter! It is fascinating how children can develop their own taste and especially from such a young age. Good for your daughter as she went her own way and bet she was one of the most stylish at kindergarten. As a parent it is a matter of embracing our children and their interests – and learning along the way!
I love fashion an your article made my day with some new ideas for writing. Thank you Annika.
Thank you very much and glad this has given you some ideas for new articles! 😀
Not sure if any of my previous comments ever made it. I love your bomber jacket and so identify with this post. Wonderful job, Annika.
Pat, I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble with comments – I go through phases like this with WP. I’ve checked spam and haven’t seen any by you although a couple of anonymous ones there. Thank you so much for your perseverance and your lovely comment. It’s great that you can relate to my post – at the time I felt all too different as all my friends were SO into clothes!
Thanks, Annika. The current fashion I can not comprehend is paying over $100 (US) for a pair of distressed jeans with strategic holes cut in both legs. Back in the day, you made unhemed blue jean shorts or wore patches in the knee. If you were crafty, you might embroider a flower or some other decoration on the patch.
I totally agree, Pat! The price for those ‘holey’ jeans is absurd and I always imagine one putting a foot through the gap and ripping them even more! Oddly enough, my husband and I were just talking about patching up clothes. Both our mothers did this all the time and one would wear those clothes like a badge of honour. Alas, I have no skills in this area so we are trying to work out how to patch up a tear on my hubby’s otherwise perfect jeans. I do like the sound of embroidering a flower! 😀
My mother and grandmother would both patch jeans. Then they developed iron on patches (don’t know if that even exists any more). I would be like you and put a foot through the gap and rip it to disastrous proportions. I saw one ample young co-ed with jeans that had an extra large hole across a very generous thigh (maybe not her best look).
Iron on patches!! I’m off to see if we can find anything like that – thanks for the tip! Nope, that does not sound like the best look!
Just googled iron on patches for clothes and got several hits. Hopefully you will be equally lucky.
I was and found some – perfect! 😀
Loved and related to this comment, Annika. I love your bomber jacket too.
Thank you so much! I know, the more I keep looking at that jacket the more I miss it! 😀
Annika, I adore this post! There’s so much personality in it, not to mention being beautifully written.
One of my fashion favorites was a pair of orchid-purple cowboy boots when I was in my 20s. I should back that up by saying that my feet had hurt since I was 10 years old (from cheap shoes). Those boots were the most comfortable things I had ever owned. I wore them so much that I had the heels repaired several times. Then many years later, they were just too ragged and had stopped fitting right. (My feet for some reason chose that moment late in my life to grow half a size… go figure.) Hugs.
Teagan, thank you so much for your lovely words about my post! 🙏
Your orchid-purple cowboy boots sound amazing and truly loved. I hope you’ve got photos of you wearing them. It must have been a revelation for you to wear footwear so comfortable but what a great pair of boots. It was good that they could be repaired so many times and no wonder you were a bit bereft and sad you as they had to be given up. I think feet do that – get bigger and only recently I gave away some of old business shoes which were a size smaller! 😀 I decided it shows my active nature! Hugs xx😀❤️
Well, you sound absolutely intriguing, Annika.
Although I was a fashionista, I would steal away to the library as much as I could. I loved it there.
Sneakers are the hottest footwear on the planet. You were the one ahead of fashion trends, and that B&W satin jacket is totally in. You didn’t know it, but you were a classic, in today’s world.
Fun post, Annika, thank you! 🕊🤍
Resa, I’m giggling away at your lovely words of me being intriguing – I’m not sure about that but bless you and thank you so much! 🙏
I admire that you are both so into fashion and books and know many definitely are that too – including my mother, I should have added in the post! 😀
Ahead of the fashion trend!? 😀😀 I’m standing even taller now! Those sneakers were the most comfortable shoes ever and I would wear them with dresses and skirts when that was still considered very odd!
Resa, thank you so much for your great comment and always fun to chat away here! Xx
I never would have worn sneakers with a dress, but I sure do now.
It started about 10years ago when I saw pics of successful business women in NYC. wearing sneakers with their suits.
Confidence in dressing is wearing what one wants, not what others want you to wear.
(Uniforms excluded)
Yes, it’s fun to chat! 🤍🕊🌹
I was the same way when I was young, I didn’t care about fashion at all but now it’s changed and I too am thankful for my mums help with my clothing.
Pooja, it’s a blessing with mothers always being there for us, understanding our idiosyncrasies yet available for help whenever we need it! I’m glad the post resonated with you and lovely that you are now so into fashion.
I couldn’t agree more, they are so patient with us. Thanks!
I love fashion, but don’t dress like I do. haha This was a great peek into your childhood.
Kymber, you’re a trendsetter in fashion but it’s just not recognised yet! 😀 Soon others will be copying your style! Lovely that you enjoyed this snapshot of fashion (or rather not) in my life. Xx
What you said about my fashion made me laugh. 😀 😀
Annika, coincidentally, I recently wrote a piece about my life currently and how my outfit choices have been in a frenzy. This was a great read!
Thank you so much and lovely to read your post too! Winters for me are a matter of keeping warm too – including woolly hats and gloves!
You took me back to my own childhood there – my mother was always disheartened by my clothes choice (and my scruffiness).
My eldest daughter seemed to pop out of the womb chic! She taught me a few things about clothes. 😂
Haha! Yep, I can relate to the despairing look at one’s scruffiness and yet another tear on the jeans / jumper! Surely trees were meant to be climbed!? 😀 I’m laughing at your description of your daughter and how she has taken up the mantle to help you with all things fashion! 😀
Hi Annika. So, this is ANOTHER way that we are so similar. I disliked “fashion” as a kid. My mom was a fashionista (like your mom). My mom wore the nicest clothes and looked adorable and pretty and perfect in each outfit. Me? Not so much. I always felt awkward and uncomfortable in most dresses and skirts and “pressed” pants. My mom tried, but didn’t succeed until my daughter was born. Grandmom and granddaughter loved shopping together, and my daughter knows how to shop, believe me! Just last week she gave me a bag of clothes she rarely wore or “they’d look better on you, Mom.” Like my mom, she keeps trying with me. 🙂 Great, well-written post. LOVE the photo.
Pam, how alike is this?! 😀 No wonder you can directly relate to my post! I was always in awe of my mother and her amazing clothes – and glad she was so understanding about my interests elsewhere. It’s great your mother and daughter shared their passion for fashion and I’m laughing out loud that your daughter is now giving you clothes that would look good on you. Bless! Thank you so much for your wonderful sharing comment and so lovely you enjoyed my foray into the past fashion! hugs xx 💕
I smiled all the way through reading this delightful story!
That’s great, Jennie!😀 It was a fun prompt and I surprised myself by having so much to say about fashion! !
Fashion or not fashion was huge in your life, Annika! It’s interesting that you were not influenced by your mother’s fashion taste. It was good that she didn’t make you dressed in fashion. Look how you’ve become! Not a fashion designer but a writer! Sometimes parents can influence their kids, but only if the kids have those genes built-in to them.
My 7-year-old granddaughter wore shorts and a T-shirt to go to the ballet whereas my younger granddaughter wore a dress and ballet shoes for a family picnic in the park! My older granddaughter has been into books since a tiny baby and she’s reading graphic novels.
What a profound reflection you’ve had about your choice of fashion. The photo of you wearing the black and silver bomber jacket is a precious memory. I didn’t have money to buy clothes as a teenager. I made my own clothes.
Miriam, I am very lucky and my mother always encouraged & encourages me to go my own way. Although I didn’t take up her interest in fashion, I did so in books, nature, travel and so much more, She’s been my biggest champion of my writing since I was little! I am so glad you enjoyed my reflections about fashion and I even surprised myself – it was a lovely trip down memory lane and I’ve thought of so much more I could have written about. Oh, I do miss that bomber jacket once again – precious indeed!
Your granddaughters sound wonderful and already so individual. Good for her that she can wear shorts and t-shirt for ballet and I’m smiling at your younger granddaughter garb for the picnic! Why not?!😀
Hi Annika, wouldn’t be wonderful to write about different ways our parents influenced us. I thought of doing it and I should do it soon. My daughter and I just smiled when looking at our girls’ fashion preferences. They may change when get older, or not. My daughter and son-in-law encourage them to make decisions since little. It seems to get a little out of hand sometimes because they now say that they can do, say, whatever they want. We have to explain very soon certain consequence comes with certain decision. 🙂 🙂
A wonderful post, Annika. You really capture how you connected with books instead of fashion. Your mother was very wise just to let things be. I have to say that bomber jacket is so cool! And I remember loving those Benetton ads and wanting a sweater, though I never got one. How nice that your mother is still able to loan you clothing for special occasions 🙂
Barbara, I love that you mentioned the Benetton ads, they were iconic for the time, I feel and so memorable! After saying how I wasn’t into fashion I think I nearly cried when my Benetton jumper gave up the ghost! Wise does indeed describe my mother and I am so lucky of her constant support and encouragement – but thank goodness she pulled me in for a change of clothing when at my most drastic! 😀 The bomber jacket was very special indeed – good memories!
I can’t sayI’m much into fashion unless it’s chic forest 🙂 I did have fun in the 80s those with color. Fun post and cute pic, Annika.
Denise, I like the sound of that – chic forest! 😀 The 80s colours were great in many ways, definitely fun and felt rather hopeful. Wishing you a lovely weekend, Denise xx
You are always welcome dear Annika ❤️🙏❤️
Your adventures in fashion are very entertaining Annika! My mother was never trendy and neither were the clothes she dressed me in, but she despaired when I became a Goth as a teenager – she hated the way I looked and worried about what people would think, whereas I, of course, thought it was great!
Andrea, how great that your were a Goth but can see why you mother would have been despairing- such an alien form of fashion for her! You really did go your own way and I admire that! Glad you enjoyed my much more sedate ventures into fashion – or not as the case may be!😀
Nice and wonderful story Annika. You are looking so beautiful. Great post
Kamal, thank you so much and it’s been fun wandering down memory lane for this prompt – and it bought to mind so much more! I was happy to find this photo – and now miss my pets!
What fun to read about your fashion “failures,” although I’m hesitant to call them that, Annika. We must be happy in our skins first of all, and you seemed content in that regard. It’s awesome that you can wear your mom’s clothes when the need arises, and I love the bomber jacket photo!!! So adorable!
Diana, you’re too kind … or lucky you didn’t see the failure photos! 😀😀 I honestly haven’t worried too much what other people thought about what I wore and at times wondered why I was different – then I just ran with it! 😀 The dress for the wedding in July is one a perfect example of me borrowing one of my mother’s dresses – it was like going to a fancy shop trying some out beforehand! So glad you enjoyed my foray into my fashion world, or lack thereof and aww, thank you for the words about the photo! Xx
I was never a clothes horse, either, Annika. I made my own clothes as a kid and you can just imagine how that turned out. Lol.
I get what you mean about fashion, as it was never my strong point either. Even when I got older and wanted to wear nice clothes well, I rarely pulled it off. You’re lucky to have a mom with so much fashion sense who also love you enough to let you “do you!” That’s a huge gift!
Ann, you are right, I am so lucky indeed to have my mother who understood all my quirks and encouraged me all my life. I’m glad she pulled me up at my most mismatched outfits, though plus there to lend some for those all important special occasions!
Oh, lovely! I can relate to you feeling like lifting knitting needles was too much effort. Knitting is just not my thing either. However, I couldn’t help but smile as I pictured young Annika, begging her teachers for woodworking, a need to hammer away at something. 🙂 It’s a pity that in those days, most activities, interests and hobbies were so gender-specific.
But it’s also possible your teachers saw your love of reading and thought you’d be better suited hammering away at plots and crafting stories, instead.
This is such a delightful read and brilliant response to the prompt, Annika. And you look swell in your black and silver bomber jacket. ❤
Khaya, we are a pair, aren’t we?! Failing to take to knitting, letting the side down! 😀😀
I must admit, maybe the teachers were quietly pleased that I couldn’t do wood work, goodness knows what damage I would have wrought there! 😀 I love how you thought maybe I was better off ‘hammering away at plots and crafting stories’ and there was one fantastic teacher who definitely influenced my passion for writing.
However, It is great today that all the subjects are open to all students and not before time.
Thank you so much for your wonderful ind-depth comment, Khaya and young me would be chuffed to bits with your words about the jacket. My taste in fashion finally and truly vindicated! 😀❤️
Fortunately, I had no fashion requirements growing up, Annika. And have ignored most of them as an adult. It’s been at least 20 years since I put on a tie. Never could get it. Grin. Now hanging out in a bookstore or having my head buried in a book; that, I get!
Curt, I can’t see much need of a tie rafting down the Colorado River! 😀😀 Yes, what is their purpose?! Men’s fashion seems to have changed to a much more relaxed comfortable style even higher up in companies etc which must be welcome by many. Oh yes, a book shop is always a win for me as well! Once inside, there is no time restriction as far as I’m concerned! 😀
Way back when, Annika, I attended an event in Sacramento honoring one of the best legislators California has ever had. Unfortunately, I got caught in a traffic jam and was late. I quietly slipped into the back. The legislator was in the middle of accepting the honor. I wasn’t quiet enough. He spotted me and stopped mid sentence. “Ah, now I realize how important this award is,” he said. “Mekemson has a tie on.”
Curt, there is a time you want to be seen and a time when not! I guess this was the latter but what a fun moment and a witty quip from the legislator! 😀😀 Have you ever lived it down?
Laughing. With me, it’s more like living up to it Annika.
This is a fun post, one that I can relate to. I liked clothes too much when I was a teenager, but the family budget didn’t seem to stretch as much as my desires. Now I have a tightly curated sense of my style and never go in for trends, but as a teenager… Glamour magazine was all that and a bag of chips!
Ally, it’s wonderful you enjoyed my post and could relate to it so much! You sound just like my friends, they loved the fashion magazines and spent more than they could really afford on clothes. We got on brilliantly but their fashion world was totally alien to me although they kindly used to help me out. I like the idea of a tightly curated style – maybe I should consider this as mine seems as haphazard as ever! 😀😀
Wonderful memories that are beautifully expressed. I noticed that Benetton is having a revival of its original fashions. I was delighted to see that!
Donna, you’ve made my day! Benetton having a revival! 😀 I had no idea they even still existed and must check this out. It’s been fun reminiscing here and so many more memories from the time have come to mind – wonderful .
Yes, the Italian fashion brand Benetton has recently brought back its original colors and classic styles:
I love this reminicence about how your mother’s fashion sense differed from yours. (Avoiding shoulder pad blouses and bright pink jumpsuits shows good taste, in my book.)
Haha! I know, who ever thought shoulder pads were a good idea?! I had to succumb for a couple of years as I started work but oh, the faff with getting them to sit right! I would end cutting them out!😀 Even now my mother is always so elegant, even when just popping over for a simple meal – I must remind myself to change from my softies! 😀
I had to remove the shoulder pads from a lot of my work clothes, once we passed into the 2000s.
You brought a huge smile to my face Annika.. as I remember well the styles, padded shoulders flares and lambchop sleeves with Mary Quant designs to die for… I loved all the fashion in the shops… Trouble was, I had to make do with my cousins hand me downs lol.. 🙂
I did however finish the two dresses I made in school… 🙂 One was in Hot pink and Bright Lime circle fabric that I had seen on the fabric stall on the market, and begged my Mum that, that was the dress material I wanted my dress to be made in in school…. Those were the days of the Top of the Pops, and Twist.. 🙂 lol….
Love your bomber jacket…. very cool 🙂 xx Thank you for sharing that lovely story about your fashion sense while growing up.. ❤ xx
Much love to your dear Annika xx ❤
Sue, it’s lovely to hear your trip down memory lane of your fashion days.
Wow, well done on finishing your two dresses, the hot pink and bright lime fabric sounds terrific fun and ‘on trend’.
Just to show my ignorance I had to look up lambchop sleeves – they were quite the sight!
Oh, Top of the Pops was watched religiously and I’ve seen snippets recently from then and it’s rather sad – much better to keep the memories, I think!
Hope you’re having a good week, Sue and managing to keep warm! love & hugs xx ❤️
Yes thank you Annika, we had around 5 inches of snow.. and its slow moving as temps still freezing.. But yes we are keeping warm.. And Another memory I would tape the Top of the Pops with the old ribbon on wheels tape recorders that were the size of vanity case lol.. Gene Pitney was my heart throb at the time 🙂 lol 🙂 xx ❤
Lovely post, Annika. I also grew up with a mother who loved fashion and that has slowly rubbed off on me.
Carol, it’s great you enjoyed my post! How special that you and your mother shared this interest in fashion! I bet it’s something that always stays with you. hugs xx ❤️
What a fun post, Annika. I am sure your mother rolled her eyes more than once at your lack of fashion desires. 😄 But sounds like it all turned out okay. Hugs!
Jan, absolutely! Lots of eye rolling, and couple of times I would be called in from play to change my top! It wasn’t too long until we laughed about it together and now my mother is always my go-to for fashion advice for special outings etc! xx
Annika, you had my head spinning with nostalgia reading this one. And how cute you were in your bomber jacket with your beloved pets. My mom used to wear hot pants. When I was really little (maybe 7?), I touched her hot pants and said, “They don’t feel hot.” 😁 I don’t know if you had this American show, but when I was around twelve, I loved Starsky and Hutch and loved my prized Starsky Sweater (guy on the right) that I got for Christmas.
This was fun. Thanks. 🙂
OMG! You had a Starsky sweater!! I am SO jealous! That was my all-time favourite show and he was my favourite of the two of them! Do you still have it? Haha! I bet you had your mom laughing at your observation – they were pretty nifty clothes! The prompt was a great one for a trip down memory lane – hope your head soon stops spring from all the nostalgia! Many thanks for your great comment, Lori. Xx
Loved the photo and learning about your younger fashion habits Annika. Lol, love the bomber jacket. ❤
Many thanks, Debby – it was a fun prompt and I was so happy to finally find the photo! Xx ❤️
Hugs ❤
Hi Annika, a terrific blog post and a super photograph of a younger you. I’m so glad you joined in this challenge.
Thank you so much, Robbie! It was a great prompt and I never knew I had so much to say about fashion. It was fun going back in time, wasn’t it? I enjoyed your piece about you and the Red Devil Costume – such a cute photo and your Grandma coming to the rescue with such a unique creation!
Hi Annika, I also enjoy writing about my younger days. It’s fun to remember things like the red devil costume.
Thank you for your kind words. I really enjoyed your post and what a great picture of you in your bomber jacket! 😍
You are very welcome, Esther! Thank you for for the prompt and I enjoyed this trip down a very nostalgic memory lane. The photo was a find – I knew it was somewhere! Just had to go searching through the albums … many hours later!😀
That was a fun post!
Thank you so much, Anneli! Xx
Fun post and bomber jacket Annika.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Brad! The more I think about the bomber jacket the more I miss it! I’ve gone for years without even thinking about it! 😀
It’s funny how our minds work. 😀
Clothing choices can be both fun and stressful when it matters what you wear. Now that I’m retired, comfort is the main criterion.
You are so right about the duality of clothing, Audrey! When fun I’m fine but can definitely do without the stress! Some evenings when I used to go out on work events my bed would be covered with my discarded indecisions! 😀😀 Comfort sounds perfect, and especially when it involves shoes!
Definitely! I’m always tempted by shoes that are both comfortable and beautiful. Not stilettos!
The young Annika is the old me–I don’t care much what I wear anymore! Fun backstory.
Haha! 😀😀Jacqui, that sounds ideal! Glad you liked the back story – before seeing the prompt I had no idea I had so much to say about fashion! 😀
Your post brought back how my mum despaired of my dress choices. My parents had a business in the village I grew up in, and I was expected to look respectable 🙂 Things I hated were tight fits and blouses with collars.
I much prefer loose, comfortable clothing, though a little eccentric. I think I might have liked your bomber jacket.
And like you, I found books more enticing than any fashion trend.
Ashen, that’s even harder, with your parents business in the same village, you and your appearance reflected upon them. Not easy for them, nor for you! I like the sound of your loose clothing, I am imaging in bohemian style! The jacket was a gem (for me) although my ‘girly’ friends didn’t really get the look! Here’s to books over fashion any day! 📚
What a delightful peek into your mother/daughter dynamic via clothes! Seeing you as a youngster sitting amidst your favorite things: that bomber jacket, your guinea pig & kitty – what fun!
Laura, it’s lovely that you enjoyed a glimpse into my younger self and the lovely relationship with my mother. Luckily my brother was far more into fashion and she was totally supportive of me. I’d forgotten how friendly my pets were with each other and now remember that I used to let the guinea pig run around on the lawn with the cat standing guard! 😀
Hi. I agree: “Comfort is imperative.”
Absolutely, Neil! I used to think men had it easy but then saw some of the long pointed shoes – winkle pickers? – some men wear and empathise as I can just imagine the pained toes! 😀
Your mother must be smiling and laughing.
She is indeed, Bernadette! 😀😀 We’ve been reliving quite a few fashion successes & failures since I wrote this!
Oh Annika, we have so much in common!! My mother was an amazing seamstress, making many of my clothes when I was young and then making me tailored skirts and jackets when I started the workforce. She was also an amazing knitter and could crochet just about anything. Sadly I didn’t inherit many, if any, of her crafting skills. But it was t through her lack of trying, purely my fault! Like you I was more interested in reading and I had my head in books for most of my childhood. Either that or I was up a tree! Fun post. Loved tripping down memory lane with you! xx 😊
Snap!! That is spooky, Miriam and I love how your mother was so gifted also in all the crafts. My mother made a lot of clothes too and your tailored skirts and jackets sound amazing! I still have the jumpers my mother knitted for me when I was at the University of St. Andrew’s – I was cold all the time so these are extra cosy and warm! Haha! Aren’t we a pair, totally failing to learn any of the craft skills from our mothers but I bet yours was equally understanding and forgiving! Oh, I can relate to being up a tree – loved doing that! Nowadays not allowed as too dangerous! Thank you so much for your great comment and sharing – memory lane is a lovely place to drop in at times! Xx ❤️
It sure is Annika! Yes, mum was equally understanding though sometimes she’d shake her head “aah Miria” she’d say. How I loved her! I too still have a couple of beautiful woollen jumpers she knitted me that I have no use for in our northern climate but I can’t bear to throw out! Some things are just priceless. xx 💗
Haha, Annika, this is so relatable 😄Your childhood stories are adorable – wearing that bomber jacket inside is priceless. You’re inspiring me to think about my own fashion journey.
Ritish, thankfully my mother was very tolerant of my oddities such as wearing the jacket inside!😀How has your fashion journey changed over the years? For someone with so little interest in fashion I found I had a lot to say in the end! 😀
Such a lovely post! I remember those old shops such as C&A, Woolworth’s and BHS! Delightful!!
Thank you so much, Sharon! 🙏😀 I know, one becomes quite nostalgic remembering those shops shops!
You are welcome Annika! Oh yes, very nostalgic times indeed!!! Kind regards.
Such fun
Thank you, Derrick!
I loved this article, Annika, it reminded me of my own childhood—only my mother was not avant garde, she dressed rather like the late Queen Elisabeth. Pleated skirts and twin sets!
Marina, lovely to see you here and wonderful that you liked my post! Pleated skirts and twin sets were very much of their time as well!
I read your post with interest, Annika. Many thanks for sharing and including a picture of your young self in a favourite jacket. 😊
I was not a fan of sewing or knitting either and hated being forced into it in school. At least young women are no longer forcibly confined to sewing machines and can choose shop classes instead! I was also an avid reader and not much interested in clothes but did learn how to dress in a business fashion/fashionable way after I left the military. I never gave up my hatred for high heels though! Cheers.
Lynette, I couldn’t believe it when I actually found this photo in one of the many albums! So often I would be told I could take me jacket off inside but I was stubborn! Oh, don’t get me started on heels!! Pure torture and a device to try and injure the wearer! A must for business wear but I got out of them as much as possible. I had no idea you’d been in the military- that must have been an amazing experience and again no say in what you wear!! As a pilot a uniform again but imagine the shoes must be comfortable and safe! Lovely to chat here, Lynette! Xx
I enjoyed this story when I read it on Esther’s blog. Although an avid reader as a kid, and would rather do homework than participate in sports, I loved fashion. We didn’t have any money so I learned to sew early on and made my own up to date fashion outfits at a fraction of the cost. Love the photo. BTW I had one of those bomber jackets too and wore it for a long time.
Darlene, many thanks for your lovely comment and for reading this twice! 😀 Wow! Is there anything you can’t do?! What a great idea to make your own clothes and it does seem to be a dying craft. Yeah! Those jackets were great, weren’t they?! My mother often used to go to the States and I loved the presents when she came home (plus, mostly that she was back!) I still have the cowboy hat she bought me all those years ago!
The other kids would have been envious of that cowboy hat! When we took my parents to England, my cowboy dad wore his hat. Every where we went people wanted their picture taken with him. xo
Thats great and no wonder your Dad made such an impression and became so popular for photographs!
That was a nice and fun story. I was also not very much into fashion when I was young and I am still not, but I’ve learned that you have to try a little bit. My wife pushed me along.
So glad you enjoyed this short piece, Thomas! Haha! I know many wives, including myself, who gently nudge their husbands into trying a bit harder with clothes! 😀😀
This was a fun read! And I can relate, I had no interest in clothes – but now, I enjoy setting out outfits for my sons to wear to school 😋
Luckily they are allowed to do both boys’ and girls’ handicraft at school: my son just told me that sewing is his fave subject! He is in 1st grade. ☺️
It is great how there is no separation in the school subjects any more and who knows, maybe your son will become a fashion designer! 😀 When my son was young I too used to put out his clothes for the day – I had a good precedent of this working so well and avoiding frustration!
I started my working life as a trainee fashion buyer for one of the chains, Annika, so I definitely did love clothes, but books were equally important. We seldom take after our mothers, do we? I’m sure yours is very proud of your achievements.
That sounds like a fun first job, especially when into fashion! Oh yes, my mother has always been incredibly supportive, encouraging and proud of me. I always had something much more enjoyable to do then be bothering with what I wore! 🤣