Talk with hosiery assistant

by Geraden

The hosiery Department at House of Fraser is the best local hosiery department, with a strong collection of quality continental lines by Wolford, Max Mara, Falke and La Perla, as well as the British staples Charnos, Pretty Polly and Aristoc. I keep an eye there especially at sale times, because I have got pretty good bargains there in the past.

Back at work on 2nd January after Christmas and New Year, I took a close look in HoF because I had not been in since the Sale officially started. I was pleased to see that the Charnos Transparent 7 deniers had been reduced from £4.00 to £2.79, so I selected a few pairs in my size. I decided to go for the sherry colour, which is a touch darker than the champagne colour I have preferred in the past. I don't think people notice either way, and sherry does produce a healthier look on the legs.

Actually I have come to the conclusion that men can be making a mistake if they select hosiery to match their leg colour, because men's legs are often unnaturally pale-looking. In all probability, a slightly darker colour will be less noticeable.

In the bargain stand I noticed that Spanx footless sheers had re-appeared, reduced from £18.00 to £3.00, the cheapest yet! Though I usually prefer footed tights, the feel of Spanx is so nice that I make an exception in their case. I selected a pair in size E (the largest size, which fits me well). However I have been caught out before, so I went up to the assistant at the cash till and said "Can you do me a favour please – will you check the size of these Spanx tights for me?"

The assistant, Camella, looked at the packet and said, "They are extra large." She was probably thinking, "Silly man, poor thing."
To which I replied, "I know it says on the packet that they are size E, but I have been caught out by Spanx in your sales before. I once bought some that lied, saying that they were size E, but actually they turned out to be size B. I had to bring them back."
The assistant looked at me with slightly more attention, saw I was not looking cross, and  said, "Oh I am sorry about that – that was naughty of us!"

So Camella opened the packet and looked at the tights. Her expression became puzzled. I told her that the size would be on a label at the back. Exclaiming "Oh, is it?" she looked at the label and said, "You are right - these are size B!"
"Ha!" I said with a grin, "I have caught you out haven't I?"
"Yes" she replied in a similar manner, "you certainly have. I take it you don't want them then?"
"Size B will never fit me!" I said, still grinning.

Camella looked at me to see whether or not I was being serious, but I decided to give nothing away. She took the Spanx tights, put them back in the packet and began to write out a new label for them. "So I don't forget", she said, thanking me for pointing out the mistake. I paid for my remaining purchases, and left feeling quite happy.

Camella seemed to be a good sport, and I enjoyed the fun of discussing tights with her.