This year, I reckon I gotta get me one of them black tea length dress things. Heard them young folks talkin’ ’bout ’em. Sounds fancy, don’t it? Tea length. Like somethin’ them rich folks wear. But I seen ’em, them dresses, they ain’t just for rich folks. Any old gal can wear one, I reckon.

Now, I ain’t no spring chicken. I need somethin’ that covers up the jiggly bits, you know? These old knees ain’t what they used to be. That’s why this black tea length dress sounds just right. Long enough to hide what needs hidin’, but not so long you’re trippin’ over it. And black, well, black is good for any time. You can wear black tea length dress everywhere.

• Wear it to church.
• Wear it to the grocery store.
• Wear it to that fancy restaurant down the road, if you’re feelin’ brave.

I seen one of them black tea length dress things in a magazine. Had little flowers on it. Pretty little things. But I’m thinkin’ plain black might be better. Easier to match with things, you know? A little sweater if it’s chilly, maybe a nice scarf. I got a red scarf that would look real nice with a black dress. That is my favorite.

They got all kinds of these dresses, I hear. Some with them skinny straps, like you’re wearin’ nothin’ at all. No sir, not for me. I need somethin’ with a little more coverage. Maybe some sleeves, even. Short sleeves, mind you. It gets hot out here, even in the evenin’.

And pockets! Lordy, a dress with pockets is a godsend. Where else am I gonna put my hanky and my little change purse? Can’t be holdin’ onto things all the time. A black tea length dress with pockets, that’s what I need.

I seen ’em online, them dresses. All different kinds. Some real cheap, some cost a fortune. I ain’t lookin’ to spend a fortune, mind you. Just somethin’ nice and simple. Somethin’ that makes me feel good, you know? Like I’m still got a little somethin’ somethin’, even at my age.

Maybe I’ll get one of them black tea length dress things with a little bit of lace. Just a touch, mind you. Nothin’ too frilly. Just a little somethin’ to make it special. A little lace around the bottom, maybe, or around the neck.

I reckon you could wear any kind of shoes with one of them dresses. Flats, probably. My feet ain’t what they used to be, neither. Can’t be wearin’ them high heels no more. But maybe some nice sandals, in the summertime. Or even them little white sneakers, if you’re just runnin’ errands.

This black tea length dress, it’s a good all-around dress, I reckon. You can dress it up, dress it down. Wear it anywhere, anytime. That’s what I like about it. It’s like that old saying, “You can’t go wrong with a little black dress.” ‘Cept this one ain’t so little, is it? It is tea length.

I remember my mama used to have a dress like that. Not black, though. Hers was blue, I think. With little white polka dots. She used to wear it to church on Sundays. Looked real nice on her. Maybe that’s why I’m thinkin’ about this black tea length dress. Reminds me of her, I reckon.

They say these tea length dresses been around for a long time. Since way back when, maybe 19th century. Ladies used to wear ’em for tea parties and such. I guess that is where the name comes from. I can just picture them ladies, all dressed up, sippin’ their tea and gossipin’. Maybe I will start doin’ the same, wearing my new dress.

Anyways, I’m gonna get me one of these black tea length dress things. I’m gonna find one that fits just right, and makes me feel good. And I’m gonna wear it everywhere. To the store, to church, maybe even to that fancy restaurant. Who knows, maybe I’ll even have a tea party of my own. If I find that dress that has some pockets in it, I will be the happiest woman in this old town. Then I can put my candies and coins in there, too. Wish me luck!