Some games are better with two - Mallory

Alice had met enough people properly. Adam, Emmett and Xander she was getting to know and now she could add Mallory to that list. Doug was a mystery. Then she had her co-workers some of whom she seem everyday.

A smaller shop didn't mean less of a choice. They tended to be specialised shops as the first thing they seen was the men's section. A sign indicated that women's items were down the back so that was where they started to look. "I've meet enough people I suppose but more are better. Even got a running buddy" she replied cheerfully.

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Green was kind of Alice's colour too. Not just olive drab but she had a few of her trouser suits jackets in that colour spectrum. The other one was a mid grey and the last was pale yellow. Tennis would be another matter as she mused over the selections available. Something bright was on her mind for this tennis skirt. She picked out a pleated tennis shirt in yellow and held it up checking the size. She liked the style but this was too large. She'd need to keep looking for her size.

So if she had a skirt she'd also need a halter top to play in. These were easier to wear and it was an improvement over a bikini. So while she kept looking she gave Mallory a soft reply. "I was happy to help you out. You need to take an experience as far as you can. Then you won't wonder if you missed out or not. Oh! Yellow works".

Further working through the rail got Alice the right size but wasn't a pleated skirt. It was long enough so it would do.

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A confirmation from Mallory put Alice's mind at rest that yellow would work. The other woman felt that shorts would suit her as Alice changed tack to look for sporty tops. "Its best to keep things simple. Now where are tennis tops?" she mused and these looked like they'd vary from vests to running t-shirts that would need to be adjusted for her. She spied a halter neck design in black that would fit the bill and tied at the back and neck. Something she could also tease her man with too.

Now trainer socks were next to be picked up along with a towel as she couldn't keep using the hotel ones. She'd need another shop for the towel but that was here sorted for here. "How creative could you have gotten with a skirt?" she mused back with a smile on her face. Perhaps Mallory was good at adjusting clothes like she was.

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Mallory had given her reasons for skirts and now Alice could explain from her point of view. She'd been doing it from an early age with some help and on her own from nine. "It's dresses, tops, coats and jumpers I need to adjust; skirts are fine and I've been adjusting my own clothes since I was nine. Usually it needs a big enough hole for the wings to pop through or turning a blouse into a backless design. All with hand stitching" she mused. "Skirts really work for me too. I love the freedom of movement".

Now everything on the short list that was here was located she looked back to Mallory to see how she was getting on. Perhaps she could advise in turn.

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So Mallory was looking for something in orange. Loose track bottoms would suit what she looking for and you could use those for any activity as well as for relaxing in.

"I would suggest loose track bottoms in that case. They'd work for any activity" Alice mused. They also gave freedom of movement just like a skirt. Now for something orange as she looked in the ladies part of the shop.

"They do enough orange here. Did you have tops, a hoodie or something else in mind?" she posed as she lifted off items in that colour for Malory to consider. She was pretty so that might as well be shown off. Alice started by showing her t-shirts, a sleeveless hoodie, a vest top and a halterneck not unlike the one she'd picked out for herself.

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To be honest the only women she knew wore army bdu's prior to arriving here. Even they could make something as generic as combat trousers and boots look good with a little bit of tailoring and fieldcraft.

"I had enough but they normally didn't dress in civilian clothes while on duty. I usually lived with the army nurses during those years in Florida. I lived like an army brat but didn't have freedom until I came here. I had to figure out girls clothes myself most of the time" she replied.

"They knew how to make trousers look good even with standard miltary designs" she added with a chuckle.

"I could also suggest long baggy shorts to go with the track bottoms; just in case you want another option".
She had missed out on a lot the way she grew up but she was always learning and was driven to continue to learn.
While she talked Mallory was considering what she'd pointed out earlier.

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Alice could certainly advise on military gear and camo. The older patterns actually worked better as fashion ideas or general wearing clothes. She believed a person should feel comfortable with their body and their clothing choices so heels and even dresses didn't suit everyone. She wore combat style boots herself as part of her work wear though she tended to go for DM style boots rather than the standard US pattern. Growing up in Florida meant she also had to get used to much colder winters here but she had adjusted. The mild winters were the main reason people retired there but you did have to deal with storms and roaming alligators.

"Strappy dresses and heels don't work for everyone" she confirmed for Mallory "you should wear what you feel is comfortable for you. I certainly should be able to advise about those items if we get to the army surplus shop".

"I'm ready" she cheerfully added as they headed to checkout their items. They might well add another shop to their list but there was plenty of time; and if Mallory wanted the military look Alice could outfit her more efficently than a quartermaster. At least her selections would fit.

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