Fresher's Fashion Parade



In 1963 it was still acceptable for first year students at university colleges to be constantly reminded of their new status - no longer high school bigshot, now just another fresher.
As an integral part of the process of reinforcing their subordinate status in college society, freshers were subject to the humiliation of symbolic emasculation by compulsory transvestism in the Fresher's Fashion parade.

My inherent lack of enthusiasm for this concept resulted in the exhaustion of the available supply of cast-off dowdy floral dresses.
Failure to participate had frightening punitive  implications, so I put on my Sloppy Joe pullover, tied a ribbon around my head, and hoped for the best.

The whole humiliating business was finally completed and I retreated to my room to change, elated that the ordeal was over.
(Disabusing the Economics tutor who timidly followed to my room and knocked on my door was no problem.)









Comments