Lucy's late summer weekend in London

Next day I had planned a full day's shopping, so knowing that I would be trying on lots of different styles of dresses and that changing cubicles are often very public places I chose my foundation underwear and lingerie carefully. I put on my white bustier (which gives my bosom a good shape and holds in my tummy!), a tight pantie-girdle and a mini slip and wore my new autumn outfit again.

First I drove to Harlesdon to collect two items I had ordered from Delia's Lingerie, a black bustier to wear under strapless and low-cut dresses and a dark blue body corselet with underwired cups from Miss Mary of Sweden; it is very lacy and pretty and while being nicely figure enhancing is very comfortable to wear.

I then walked down the High Street to Fashion Fun , which is now under new ownership but still has some glamorous outfits. Aswin, the new owner, knew that I was looking for a long sequinned gown and showed me several that he had in stock. The shop was very busy and all the changing cubicles were occupied, so he asked me to come upstairs to the stock room.

I was slightly nervous about this, but as his wife was also serving downstairs I followed him up. In fact he could not have been more understanding and made himself busy with sorting out some dresses while I took off my clothes and tried on a blue and a red gown. Both fitted well and, although he preferred the blue one on me, I decided to buy the red one because it made me feel more glamorous.

From there I went to a cosmetics shop and bought some make-up, including an eyebrow pencil and lip gloss. Next, I went to the shop where I had ordered a maid's dress, but to my disappointment they had not got it so I cancelled the order and will look elsewhere. I did buy a pair of tights and black seamed stockings. Then I drove across North London to Doreen Fashions in Leyton.

Unfortunately Betty, the proprietoress (and the most persuasive salesperson I have ever met !), was not there because she was ill, but her deputy Mary looked after me very well and showed more lots of gorgeous outfits. The first that I tried on was a cream sleeveless cocktail dress. As it buttoned right up the back, Mary came into the cubicle and did it up for me. I had kept on my slip which she admired and bemoaned the fact that so few girls wear a slip now which is a pity because they can be so pretty and feminine and can make a dress hang and fit better.

The dress fitted perfectly and Janette, another saleslady whom I have known for a long time, said it looked very nice and would go well with my Ascot hat. She offered to take a photo of me in it, but had difficulty with the camera, so a young man waiting in the shop for his wife who was trying on some outfits offered to take it.

I then tried on a white and blue flowered slip dress with a coat attached. Although it looked smart, I decided that it was more suitable for the Mother of the Bride and I am still waiting to be a Bride!

Mother of the Bride, and I am still waiting to be a Bride!

Next I tried on a classic Little Black Dress. It had a short flirty skirt and a prettily ruched bodice with preformed cups. Although I could easily put it on without assistance, Mary insisted on helping; as I could not wear it over my slip, I was pleased that I had chosen my undies carefully! I posed in it at the shop's entrance and attracted quite a lot of attention from some passing shoppers!

Despite my misgivings because it looked more suitable for an Essex Girl in Ibiza (will some kind reader please give me the American translation?), Mary persuaded me to try on a powder blue short skirt and skimpy top.

It showed off my figure without leaving much to the imagination, but the admiring comments from both the staff and the husband who took the photos convinced me to buy it. He also took a photo of Mary and me together.

Mary then telephoned Betty at home and she asked me to describe my purchases to her. Even on the phone, she was able to persuade me to buy a black velvet bolero jacket which I could wear with the black dress! As a reward she asked Mary to give me a very pretty scarf. We then all had a cup of tea and a nice girly gossip before I left, as always laden down with new outfits.

I had intended to look for a pair of evening shoes to wear later, but decided that the shoes and handbag that I had bought for Ascot would co-ordinate well with my outfit. I adore shoes and have to resist the temptation to buy more than Imelda Marcos! So instead I drove straight to Linda Edwards' house because I had arranged to go with her that evening to the last night of the LadyBoys of Bangkok show at Queen's theatre (where else?) in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Chapter 1	Chapter 2		Chapter 4
Chapter 5		Chapter 6
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