Deansgate Inn Knott Mill
Deansgate
Manchester
14-09-07
Dear Lorraine,
A member Claire writes:
I bought two Swedish parkas last week. I have lived in them ever since.
I never take them off or put the hood down when out of the house. I keep the strings pulled tight and the hood zipped up as in the Chesterman picture. I can see out but not be seen. I just love the warm enclosed feeling.
The weather has got warm and sunny so the hood keeps the damaging sun's rays off.
The parkas are both big sizes and reach well below my knees and the sleeves cover my hands. My boy friend called me the Green Monster but now has one himself. I am going back to second year in uni next week. The parka hood will be up and fully on permanently.
I found a wholesaler on the web who is selling new unused Swedish parkas for £12! They really are a bargin and retail in England less than £20 ($ 40).
Interesting article about hoodies five hundred years ago. Monks and ordinary men and women have worn hoods through out history. As the article states Monks were instructed to wear their hoods up all the time as were nuns.
Keep up the good work.
Chesterman.
Dear Chesterman
Thank you for your recent letters - sorry I'm so behind.
The way I read the piece about monks and the Abbot Rancé was that he was specially severe in making them wear the cowl even for sleeping. Is it your information that this was in fact standard monastic practice?
I love to think of Claire in one of those parkas, lovely and warm and safe all the time. But please could she say, does she really mean she lives in both of them - one over the other?
I'm surprised the Abbot never thought of that ...
Best
Lorraine