This follows from my autumnal thoughts on Monday.
(Goodness, I never thought I'd be blogging about vests!!)
I can only speak for myself here (though I shall be curious to see how many of you recognise this process). I was made to wear vests as a child. In winter they kept me warm, and in summer - well, it was polite. It's what girls did. Presumably to mask any hint of development for as long as possible. A hangover from Victorian morality where layers of clothing was seen as an essential deterrent to any predatory male (or, presumably, female).
Oh how I longed to ditch my vests! I abandoned them at every opportunity, hid them at the back of the wardrobe and crumpled them, put them in the washing at reliable intervals in the hope that no one noticed that I would not wear them. Imagine, being out with a lad, and he was fumbling up your shirt (you knew it wasn't allowed and you shouldn't let him, but surely a five-minute fumble wouldn't matter?) and he found a vest!! You'd want to die, wouldn't you? You'd never emerge into mixed society again for he was bound to have told everyone in the whole wide world and they would all know this terrible thing about you - you wore a vest. So I didn't.
For years, even in the depths if freezing winters, I'd not wear a vest. I'd pile on jumpers and fleeces and shiver by the fire but no, I'd not be seen dead in a vest.
But then, when I took the decision not to buy a car but to use public transport, I knew I'd have to be equipped for stations and bus stops in the cold and if I wasn't to freeze I'd need Serious Clothes. That's when I bought a drawer-full of thermals - vests (both long- and short-sleeved), socks, and long johns. Some are almost pretty - and all are functional. They do what they claim they do. While they can't keep out the most determined Arctic wind, I have rarely been driven inside by the cold. I can stand at bus stops beside people who are stamping their feet and rubbing their hands and be - not hot, but warm enough. Which they clearly aren't.
But what, I hear you asking, about the man who might want an exploratory fumble? Pah - if he's going to mark me out of ten for wearing a vest on a cold day, then I'm really not interested.
Is this what they mean by grown-up?
Haha - great post Jo. I marvel at those teenage girls queueing outside clubs on frosty winter nights wearing party frocks and mini shorts ... Don't think I could have done it but perhaps I've forgotten...
ReplyDeleteOh we all did it - and young women still go out in the depths of winter with blue legs! Good luck to them - it was fun at the time, but not now.
DeleteI was made to wear vests as a child. My mother often dressed me in a vest and a jumper, even in summer, so that if we were out and the sun came out, I'd have to keep the jumper on and boil. Wearing just a vest was definitely not on. When I got my first bra, I removed my vest and haven't worn one since. I might wear three layers, but none of them will be a vest.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm older than you? It was needing to be warm at bus stops and on train stations that drove me back to vests. Having decided not to have a car, it made sense to invest in warm clothes - and they do work!
DeleteHow did I miss this, Jo? I am with you all the way on the value of the vest. I wear them all the time, although not the thermal variety. I should get some of those this winter though because I suffered at the bus stops last winter. Normal vests can be very pretty these days, so I don't feel an old frump at all. In fact, with the lacy bits some of mine have, I even show them off on purpose! That said, I remember the late sixties going to school in the mini-est of mini skirts and knee socks. We froze, but didn't care then. I can't bear having cold legs now - maybe the consequence of those days. My solution is to wear tights under trousers, but I think I'll follow your route here too!
ReplyDeleteOh no the dreaded vest! I had to wear a vest and a liberty bodice on top of it (am I showing my age here?) My mum still thought I should wear a vest on top of my bra like she did but at secondary school I put my foot down and she couldn't believe all the girls there didn't wear a vest and was convinced I would get plurisy. Vests are much nicer now and I would wear one if I was cold. So wear your vests Val,just make sure they're pretty,just in case.
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