Later, when I was considered old enough to go to town with
friends, I was given money to buy things from Chelsea Girl – my favourite
boutique – and Marks & Spencer for underwear. The catalogue always had a
place, though, and as I grew up and raised my own family, it was useful for
household items. Affordable credit added to the appeal of the convenience of
home shopping.
We used to keep the catalogues in a cupboard with the fat
telephone directories. Littlewoods and Grattan along with Argos, Toys’R’Us, and
Betterware, when the man came. They’ve all gone now, though sometimes we have
Cotton Traders if they think we need reminding that they are there.
The physical catalogues might have ceased to fill the
cupboard, but the way of shopping remains. We’re online instead. Amazon has
absolutely everything, just a click away. The anticipation of the catalogue
parcel has been replaced by the excitement of the Prime van being only three
stops away. Marks & Spencer has more appeal online than in store. I was
recently disappointed to visit our branch and discover a shop reduced in size
by closing off the top floor and carrying limited stock. The food hall was as
bad. A wasted trip on my part.
We still get those mini-catalogues stapled into the TV
listings magazines, the ones full of interesting gadgets that make me wonder
how old I’ll be before I can’t manage without them. They go straight into the
recycling.
A nice, grey school skirt
And a navy blue cardy
To start the new term.
Some smart white blouses
A pair of stirrup trousers
That’s what we called them.
Strap under the feet.
And socks and knickers and vests
And some pyjamas.
PMW 2023
Thanks for reading, Pam x