All old homes had them; the hat and coat stand just inside the front door (sorry in the entry). It held the hats (Akubra or bowler), coats (Drizabone, Bluey or Houndtooth), car keys, umbrellas, even sometimes school bags, handbags and briefcases. Everything was deposited there as you came through the door, to be found awaiting you when you needed to go out again. No searching for things, you knew where they were. This was in the days before the walk in wardrobe and the mini office in the corner of the kitchen/family room.
But the most important use for the mirrored hall stand?
To use the mirror to check that the lipstick was not askew after quickly kissing the kids goodbye, the Akubra was on at the right angle and that the back of your skirt was not stuck in your knickers/panty hose after that last minute trip to the bathroom. You always checked what you looked like, especially from the rear, before you left the building.
Your mother always reminded you to do that.
This memory resurfaced this morning, as I sat behind someone who had, obviously, not checked that mirror.
Quite elegantly dressed really, made up, nice shoes and matching handbag even. Nevertheless, her outfit was on inside out! You might think “how could that happen?” Well I do remember some years ago, rushing to get everyone out of the house in the morning; kids to different schools, “do you have lunches and homework and have you eaten all your breakfast?” “Quickly, in the car or we will be late!” A question from my elder son “Is there a special reason Mum that today you are wearing your blouse inside out?” That brought the morning to a bit of a halt. Luckily, while I didn’t have a mirrored hall stand, I did have someone who was alert that morning! The country definitely needs more lerts!
Travelling home from work a few days ago, my fellow traveller told me about a “sight” she had witnessed on her way between the workplace and the bus stop. A pretty young thing in the latest fashion – white, clingy cheesecloth (“ah yes!” the chronologically gifted of you will sigh – you will remember cheesecloth, headbands, beading and rock concerts – 40 years since Woodstock – yeek! It can’t be!). Back to the bus … She was dressed in a very short (and I report very short – even a hiccup would have seen a significant wardrobe malfunction), clingy white cheesecloth number and wearing a very obvious black g-string under it. Quite well endowed and keen to get out and see the world, her body was only just staying within the outfit. Hmmm ... she too could perhaps have benefited from the mirrored hall stand before she ventured out. But then again perhaps it would have been wasted on her, ignored as she departed.
Anyway, think about it people … even if you don’t start a revolution for reinstatement of mirrored hall stands … check, even what you look like from behind, before you rush out into the world, because, just remember, it’s a jungle out there.
