What a brave new world shopping for women's clothes is.
What to wear (or not to wear) for my transformation into "Glenda Bender" took bureau chief Tracey Roxburgh, photographer Emily Adamson and yours truly a lot longer than I originally bargained for.
"I don't want you to look slutty," Tracey said, as we entered the lower Shotover St emporium.
"I would think a more demure lady is the look we're going for today."
Trying on clothes which made me bulge in all the wrong places was hindered by the buttons on the blouses being on the wrong side.
Tracey's eyes lit up when she spied an animal print singlet and my arms were soon laden with garish skirts, blouses, scarves, pants and even an all-in-one ski suit.
Gales of laughter from the girls, expressions of horror from bargain-hunting snowboarders and knowing looks from locals greeted me each time I stepped from the changing room.
After much consultation, Glenda Bender's ensemble was finalised.
However, I still need to practise running in heels, so if you see a tall man hobbling around Queenstown Gardens while humming the theme from Rocky, my apologies in advance.
• Glenda Bender will make his/her dash for glory at the Queenstown Winter Festival Drag Race at Earnslaw Park at 1.30pm on Sunday.
