Make Believe

​Imagining, Becoming

Dress Shop

At the top of the wooden stairs, between the alcove and the double-hung window that overlooked the garden, two closet doors opened wide. I was able to show customers the entire rack of beautiful dresses, skirts, and blouses. Those who entered my shop in ones and twos that afternoon were women and girls. I took each hanger off the rack carefully, one-by-one, and pointed out details of each lovely item.
The most popular outfit was the maroon faille jumper that was worn over a pink dotted-Swiss blouse. It had a Peter Pan collar, small pearl buttons, and short puffed sleeves. The jumper’s deep scoop neck was edged with a one-inch collar that was notched in front. Both jumper and blouse could be had for fifteen dollars, and my store accepted the same metal-edged charge plate that was used at Marshall Field’s or Carson Pirie Scott & Company. I wrote up the receipt by hand.


Anyone wearing this outfit would be ready for church or a party—perfect for the coming events around Christmas. I recommended wearing the patent leather shoes with a narrow strap buckled across the instep to complete this lovely ensemble.


Yes, I was a shopkeeper in those days. I was eight years old and in fourth grade that year, and was continuing my tradition of imaginary play, creating scenes that were vivid extensions of reality, holding conversations with people who existed only in my mind. Playing Dress Shop began a phase of fascination with clothes that continued, in various forms, to this day. As I look back through the years, I realize that my memories are filled with the colors, styles, and fabrics of favorite outfits and shoes that I wore, and it’s become great fun to recall the excited, proud feelings that came with them.


However, my engagement in make-believe activities had started many years before my dress shop era. As a preschooler I had often been a bride, a cowgirl, and “a girl who goes to school.” (Yes, I would take books off the bookcase and carry them around the block as if headed to school.) I was often a mom and, when I finally did go to kindergarten, I had many opportunities to cook meals on the toy stove and set the table for “dinners.” Back at home I was the commander of a rocket ship and pushed imaginary buttons to take off and travel through space.​

Make-believe is an important part of early childhood for sure. The benefits for lifelong emotional and cognitive growth are described in this short piece published by Head Start that is linked below. It describes the importance for children between ages zero and five, but those benefits are not just for the youngest.

 Make-Believe Play Link

Those individuals who live in Southern California might have the opportunity to visit Pretend City, museum in Orange County. It provides multiple opportunities for young children to play-act being grownups in a variety of child-sized places such as at the supermarket, the fire station, or on the road.

Make-believe isn’t just for children, though. Certainly those who become actors engage in theater games and portray situations and characters with satisfaction and —usually—skill. Adults whose careers are grounded in reality can still engage imagination in many ways. Just one example might be the individuals who practice holding the moon in tai chi or sending roots into the ground from their feet during yoga.

Perhaps some of these vignettes have described YOU or brought up old memories. For those readers who do like to reminisce, please share some of your recollections of imaginary play at some stage in your life. We’d love to hear about your experiences, so don’t be shy. Just respond to this email.