Excerpt from MEMORIES OF MY MOTHER

I remember my mother saying that she had nothing to wear–to go shopping for clothes!  That was in the days when women actually dressed up for that event. After all, you wouldn't want a clerk to see you in your old rags. If you wanted a pair of stockings, the clerk would present several shades–pulling each one in order, over her hand (which was always nicely manicured with soft skin) for your inspection. Then you might proceed up in the elevator which was operated by an actual human being, usually a woman, who would open the doors and announce "third floor, ladies' ready-to-wear."