Skirts

Soon after my arrival in South Africa, I noticed that shops sold many more long skirts than they do in Australia. I wondered why this was the case. I soon noticed that black African women are more likely to wear long skirts than white women are. Especially in rural areas, it is common for them to wear skirts. Since black people form the majority of the population in South Africa, there is obviously more of a market for long skirts there than in Australia.

Since I like long skirts, and it is difficult to find a variety of them in Australia, I bought two. Prices were more reasonable than they are in Australia, because of the exchange rate (5.5 Rand to one dollar). Skirts like these would have cost me AU$ 60-80 here, but in South Africa they only cost me about $40.

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Feminine dress according to Susan

A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed Susan's post on dress. "No Excellencies for the Daughters of Abraham?" explores the way dress should be both modest and attractive.

Here is are some of Susan's comments:

. . . when female apparel is analyzed and wittled down to a list of "do's and don't's," then we've lost the real issue. It shouldn't be a matter of measuring our hemlines or making hard-and-fast rules such as "skirts are the only legitimate apparel for women." The real issue is the heart. How does this manifest itself? In different ways for different women. How was that for ambiguous :)?

. . . We Christian women are presented with a false dichotomy: attractive, seductive clothing or frumpy, modest clothing. It seems we have to choose between beauty or conviction.

Or do we?

Read the whole of Susan's Susan's post to find out her answer!

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A most unnecessary hat

I figure it is time for a break from serious posts after yesterday, so I have decided to post on my unnecessary hat :).







I discovered this hat at a stock take sale. I was in the store to pick up sensible things like socks and pyjamas off layby, when I saw the hat. I tried it on, and it was all down hill from there. Did I really need a pure wool brown hat with a pink ribbon . . . uh, no, but do I always have to be sensible? Had I ever thought of owning such a hat before . .. uh, no, but I really like it :).

Any doubts I had about the hat were dispelled when I wore it to school for the next day. It created a lot of fun, as nearly everyone commented on it and had a laugh.

It also created some fun that weekend when I wore it to church. I visited Trinity Church for their first day, because some friends are involved. This lovely lady had fun wearing my hat . . .



This friend also had fun wearing the hat. I hope he will forgive me for posting this picture . . .



Thankfully he does not frequent blogs (he's one of those "what's the point of them" people). However, it is possible that someone who does frequent blogs may tell him. This photo reminds me of the cover picture on "I Kissed Dating Goodbye". Does it remind you of that too?

I recommend new hats to you all, there is nothing like them for a conversation starter.

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Frugality: Shop Second Hand

Since last year I have rediscovered the joys of second hand shopping! When I first visited the school where I now work, it was exciting to discover that there is a second hand store in the same building as the school. I have been impressed with the good quality clothes available at second hand stores. I like many of them better than those I bought new! People often comment that they like my skirt or shirt, and I respond that "Second hand stores are great places!". Someone also told me that one lady in her street only buys second hand clothes, yet she is the best dressed person in the street!

I have a small clothing budget. If I stay within the budget it takes at least a month or two to save up for a new item of clothing. With second hand shopping, I can buy many more clothes and stay within the budget. This leaves more money to buy items I don't want to buy second hand (underwear comes to mind!). Another benefit is that if you are at all into "comfort buying", at least it won't put you out of pocket too much. You can satisfy the impulse to buy something to make yourself feel better, without feeling too guilty! I am much less into comfort buying than I once was, but there is still the occasional splurge.

Do you have any second hand shopping tips/experiences you can share?




In this picture, Esther is wearing a second hand dress, and I am wearing my "new" second hand skirt which I purchased last week.

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