Lemon Shopping

Lemon Shopping – Amanda goes shopping… Well, I might well have already mentioned it, you know, but I’m pretty much the same size and shape as Lucille Ball. “Who?” you say… “You know - the 50s American Comedienne” But, yes, I was really rather surprised. According to the records, Lucille was 5’7” where I’m ½” taller. Lucille weighed somewhere between 8¾-9½ st. and I’m around 9½ st. But obviously, the biggest difference is with her womanly proportions - she was 35-24-35 whereas I’m 36-28-32. Her bra size was 36A but I’m now a 36C but we both wear the same dress size 12. Lucille wore a shoe size US size 7 or 7½ which converts to a UK size 5-5½ and as you know I’m a size 5½. But why am I saying all this? Because when I was a young impressionable teenager Lucille passed away and there was a feature on her on the TV. Gosh, she wasn’t necessarily pretty, but she was so upbeat, funny, confident and also slim and immaculately dressed. Much of the show was from the 50s when women were women and men were handsome and treated women properly. To me the women at that time looked like women should look. They acted like women. They had figures, curves and wore dresses that flattered their shapes and unique femininity, not jeans or leggings and baggy jumpers like they do today. They had style and were not afraid to show it. They clearly enjoyed all the fuss of being feminine - establishing everything in complete opposition to the masculine world. To me at that influenceable age, the image of Lucille, and the other ladies of that time, represented womanhood as it should be. I didn’t think at all that I should dress or look like that. There was no confusion about who or what I was. All this happened later, when I suddenly changed. But I was deeply impressed with this display of true and fabulous womanhood.
Then much more recently I discovered the Rock n’ Roll scene together with the fabulous frocks, music and of course dancing. And well, golly, I fitted in like it had been made especially for me. And so I guess, this is the concept I carry with me of what women should look like and naturally enough I’ll happily wear such outfits and think nothing of it. Somebody once described me as a “50s housewife” and although the comment wasn’t exactly intended to be complimentary, I couldn’t have been more happy. When I’m deciding what to wear and select something with a vintage style before I know it I’m slipping into seamed stockings and applying bright red lipstick. As I say, I think nothing of it. It feels completely natural. Ladies back in the day wouldn’t dream of going out improperly dressed and for me this is all a part of living my life as a woman. I sort of think that the other women simply haven’t bothered or have been suppressed into thinking they should dress like blokes do.
It’s only when I see the videos that I realise with some horror how different I look to the other women out doing their shopping. Of course, as always, I’m off out somewhere, but either way I feel completely natural in my lovely outfit. Maybe back in the 50s I wouldn’t have looked so out of place. And so here I am in this market, where there is a particular little Asian stall that sells fabulous necklaces, bangles and earrings… and I feel quite natural in my lovely frock, stockings and bright orange high heels
to be continued....
Amanda x
Here's a little extra (if it passes copyright) https://youtu.be/PUaNKwxaWAs