Does My Bum Look Big In This?

Whilst I wasn't doing other things over the weekend, I was forced into doing a bit of shopping by my other half.

Now my views on shopping are well known, but we were both out and about Glasgow looking at clothes for our wedding later in the year, so it was somewhat unavoidable at some point.

And when I say "together", it should be pointed out that whilst it is considered unlucky for a man to go and look at possible wedding dresses with his bride, it is deemed perfectly acceptable for a woman to go into a shop where her groom has to try on kilts.

And apparently she is also allowed to bring friends and family members to witness this event too. :-/

Where is the equality?

Actually, I am quite relieved I don't have to look at wedding dresses till the day itself. But trying on clothes, whatever their shape and size, always strikes me as a slightly unmasculine thing to be doing.

I can remember buying my first work suit in Suits You and having an experience very similar to that regularly portrayed in The Fast Show - a couple of older gentlemen slightly too eager to help button my shirt and measure my inside leg. It was at the point one of them volunteered to help me put my trousers on in the changing rooms that I drew the line.

And although Saturday's experience didn't contain that particular joy - indeed the staff were very professional throughout - there still seemed slightly wrong with the conversations I had with the gentleman assistant.

"And how is Sir finding it? Is that comfortable? [Pause.] Can I ask, is this your regular weight or does it tend to fluctuate from month to month?"

You don't get these sort of questions at ASDA or TESCO (my usual shopping haunts for clothes), I can assure you.

For the record, the kilt was surprisingly comfortable, but I was glad to finally escape the shop. To reward myself for my trial by fabric, I went and sat in Borders with a nice coffee, a good book and took in the beautiful architecture.

As I say, totally masculine. :-/
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(Photo Source: Artifex, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Black_watch_kilt.JPG)