ps

The other day we were sitting at the sea dyke watching the rising tide. At the same time I was chatting with A. about the pros and cons of traditional costume versus civil clothing. Items like beauty, fabrics, expenses, habits and seasons filled the air around us.

When she told me there's no difference in summer and winter costume I remarked: "At least you don't have to think about what to wear every day. As an answer she laughed and said: "You should see our wardrobes! I have 300 pieces of garments so my wardrobe is packed up with big and small boxes. We start to build up our collection when we're grown up and we never throw away a thing."

"Wearing the traditional costume we need garments for every occasion: festivities, light mourning, severe mourning, church and everyday. I have at least ten different aprons for work, like the light blue I was wearing yesterday. When I go to church, I see for example this woman in light mourning. And then I can track down to which family she belongs. I like that."

This morning the neighbour called mother and me into the garden. Then she called again: "Come outside now!" and A. came out of the house chuckling with nervousness. To our big surprise she was wearing civil clothes. "So, what do you think?" the neighbour asked. Mother and I were chanting in choir: "What happened? You look beautiful! Really! Splendid! Look at that skirt! Very chic! Your figure! So slim! You could be a model!"

A. had to laugh and asked: "Are you sure?" Like 2 mermaids we started chanting compliments again. Then she confessed she wants to prepare to "go civil". She felt lonely, the last few years almost all her friends got married and abolished the costume. She asked what we liked better: costume or civil. We confessed we love the costume but we understand and think she looks great. In answer to my mothers' question how she felt like, she said: "I do not feel covered."