Something really exciting is happening to me and Badger later this month. Two particularly lovely friends, a husband and wife couple who are the nicest people you could imagine, have invited us to have dinner with them - but not just at home. No. We are going to a really posh hotel.
The man of this couple wrote to Badger to make sure he knew that the hotel has a dress code, and a jacket and tie would be expected. The ladies, he explained, should not wear pants.
British readers will instantly have cottoned onto the hilarity this caused in our household, especially as Badger felt it right, to set my mind at rest, that he should telephone the hotel to explain that his wife wears Plain dress -and would that be acceptable. Plain What? Er... yes... they couldn't see why not.
I was most amused to think that Plain dress could be iffy, but no pants would be de rigueur. 'Pants' as you may know, in England, is what we call knickers.
So anyway, I don't want to let my beloved Badger down. I have made myself a red silk kapp (very pretty, still Plain), and I shall wear a purple jumper (pinafore dress, UK!) with a matching purple top underneath, and black shoes not Birkenstock sandals.
But I tell you what: dress code or no dress code, I am a modest dressing woman - no way am I going out to dinner without wearing my pants!!!