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CHERYL
(Text under picture)
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My first memory,
evidently circa 1956, is of standing swaddled in several petticoats hanging in
my mother's closet. I was enveloped in softness. Later, at four, uninterested in
a mandatory afternoon nap, I used to take my mother's quilted satin bedspread
and wear it as a gown, pretending to strut about the "court" of the bed as a
queen. Still later, when six to eight, I would night after night sing-song
myself to sleep, imagining myself in layers of petticoats -- "All dressed up in
a petticoat, all dressed up in a petticoat."
For some reason petticoats have always been a part of my life. When I was eleven
or so, I would return from school, change out of my Catholic school uniform, and
look for the opportunity to "borrow" a half-slip from my mother, whether from
her lingerie drawer, the laundry hamper or a drying rack in the basement.
Somehow, my mother would always manage to have go out food shopping just as I
arrived from school, leaving me to her half-slips. Soon, I added full slips,
bras and girdles. An hour or so of bliss every day. Sadly, though, full
petticoats had disappeared from the fashion front, and without a square dance
tradition in suburban New Jersey in the 60's they were not to be seen.
I continued to be drawn to exquisite femininity, inspired by the likes of Eva
Gabor (Green Acres) in all her finery, often including petticoated day dresses
and bouffant loungewear. As I developed my own wardrobe, I came across the image
of the classic French maid. I was smitten!
How sexy, how coquettish. The full and partially revealed bust, the tightly
corseted waist, the very full skirt with petticoats surely to be displayed, with
stocking tops and garters also designed for viewing! Plenty of frou-frou in
delicate lace cuffs, matching lace collar, frilly cap, sheer and frilly apron -
all so adorably sweet. And never sweeter than when the maid swishes gracefully -
her high spiked heels clicking, her apron sliding atop the uniform, her nylon
stockings kissing with each step. But the most discernible sound at each step is
her petticoat swishing beneath her uniform dress, all the louder if she is
wearing several petticoats and her uniform is taffeta.
Courtesy of vintage shops and the occasional brief resurgence in petticoats,
I've been able to build a small collection of lovely petticoats of several
types. But they do take up room, and my wife is always trying to keep me from
taking over the house with all the frou-frou! Still, I am eager to find more
dresses to accommodate the petticoats. I love the daytime dresses of the 50's,
more modern cocktail dresses with full skirts, and some of the square dance
dress fashions. Of course, the French maid uniform is my all-time passion, and I
am always eager to serve any lady who appreciates classic femininity, especially
if she is as enthralled by petticoats as I am.
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