Sorry, Madam, No Nightwear Permitted!

I couldn't help laughing when I read this article recently, which stated that a Tesco's grocery store in Cardiff had banned all shoppers from wearing slippers and pyjamas whilst shopping.

According to the BBC, one of the pyjama-clad shoppers responded:

She said she had been "popping in for a pack of fags," but if she had been doing a full shop "then we obviously would have gone in clothed".

"But we only wanted fags and they still refused us to go in for a pack of cigarettes," she added.

The article made me remember my step-daughter's assertion that shopping in central Liverpool with curlers in your hair (in preparation for a big night out, naturally) was becoming a fashion, along with fuzzy slippers and pyjama bottoms. I have to admit I was slightly doubtful at the time... but not anymore!

Shell Suits? Really?

I have great respect for the UK press -- in particular, The Guardian and The Independent. I like their spirited op-ed columns, and their (mostly) thorough reporting on the world in general. But this must truly be what they call the silly season, for today The Guardian has sunk to a new low: commenting on Castro and al-Megrahi's shellsuits, with the riveting headline of 'Shellsuits Are Back!' Tongue in cheek? Yes, but still...

More hardly need be said, so I leave you with the following:

Eagle-eyed observers of the world stage have noted that the shellsuit seems to be making a return among men of a certain age. Namely, Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on his flight back to Libya, and Fidel Castro in his first public appearance in 14 months.

You can see the attraction. Tracksuits are comfy. They have no annoying buttons, or tie-matching issues. You can make a nod to smartness by making sure top and bottom match.

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