Capes and Feather Boas

My daily dilemma today is rather embarrassing. Which led me to consider if it should indeed be a dilemma at all and of course the answer is no. It really shouldn’t, so my apologies in advance.

Perhaps I should explain. You see, for the past year or so we have been in transit due to moving and renovations. I’m sure you’ve been there before. Agatha was quite a fan of renovating and doing up and selling houses in London, but what I have discovered is that unlike Agatha, I’m not sure I really enjoy the process. Thankfully now, it’s all finished; which leads me to the doubtful dilemma.

You see, I have too many clothes. Quite a few too many and now that I have such a lovely wardrobe, I have become keenly aware of how little of them I actually wear. What’s the problem? You should be lucky to have such a lovely wardrobe and so many lovely clothes to wear, I hear you say. Of course, you are very right. 

I’ve decided that part of the reason I’ve been struggling, is that lately I’ve been getting away with staying in my running gear for most of the day. Even pajamas!

So it occurred to me; perhaps it might help to Chanel, or channel my inner 1950s housewife and get dressed regardless of whether I need to go out? Admittedly, I usually do feel better when I clean myself up a bit.

Agatha knew about the importance of dressing and also reminded me how lucky I am that it doesn’t take two hours to do so. ‘Clothes were clothes in those days!’ She exclaimed. ‘Frills, ruffles, flounces, lace, complicated seams and gores’, they even had capes and feather boas. 

Capes and feather boas! Oh, I don’t have either of those! No Bellsy, stop being silly! 

However, all this led me to consider how important clothes are to my characters? As my stories are historical in nature, it’s sometimes a bit tricky to find the right fit, but I think they are pretty vital. Fun too. My latest character I've decided, has to have an amazing wardrobe so I can live vicariously. 

After some thought, I also realised there’s a story our clothes tell about us and similarly, our clothes have a story of their own. I love my clothes for reminding me of where, when and who they came from and of all the places we’ve been. I have a single black heel—long treasured after its pair was lost to the ocean—an extravagant hat saved for races or Wednesday night violin groups and dresses I've bought in op-shops for their sequins alone. My husband's also had a keen eye for fashion over the years. Without him, I think I'd still be wearing the same denim skirt and t-shirt with 'lovely cherry' printed on it.

More importantly (and slightly improbably) my recent transient existence led to the creation of a duel wardrobe and the subsequent adoption of another alter-ego— Areka Havoc. Her name says it all.

So....maybe it's a bit like Superman? When he removes his cape and leotard, he miraculously transforms into Clark Kent with glasses. Totally unrecognisable….. Or, perhaps if Paganini wore a pink feather boa, people might not have compared him so readily to the devil?

But then again, the Devil has been known to wear Prada.

Christie, Agatha (2011) Agatha Christie: An autobiography. HarperCollins.

Paganini in pink Agatha Christie in Goodwood and Paris 1906