September 20, 2005
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I’ve been naughty, and I hope to God that guy really buys the beach lot because I’ve been on a two-day shopping spree. It looks like it’s a for-sure deal, the only catch is the city councel has to approve widening the road. The people at city hall told our buyer it would be no problem. So instead of starting on the house repairs I bought shoes and pants, a sweater, one blouse, and a shell — Oh, and some socks and hiking boots. I have long feet and I only wear well-made, comfortable shoes so when I find a pair I like I just keep replacing the soles and heels.
The shoe salesman was British and just a doll. It was like one of those movies where he kept bringing more and more shoes. He even had a pair of sandals like the ones my dog ate. I couldn’t find them anywhere but when I described these favorite shoes he rooted around in the back and came out with the same black slip-ons. They’re Munros and I can walk for miles in them they’re so soft and cushy. The only thing I regret is the pointy-toed pair he talked me into. They do look great with these cuffed, tweed slacks so I might not take them back. But I don’t think I could walk more than two blocks in them.
I scored with the pants, too. I have long legs, and it’s hard to find just the right pair so when something fits I get two or three of the same brand and wear them until they have holes. Then they become gardening pants. I’m going to San Francisco for a week and all my pants got retired this summer. So it was reasonable to go shopping. What was unreasonable was the amount of money I spent. The clothes thing is an obsession I inherited from my mother. Last night, as I was putting everything away, I was aware of the unwarrented amount of time and money I spend on my wardrobe, considering I mostly wear the retired clothes. It almost seemed sick they way I covet the beautiful colors and textures. I pulled out a silk top I bought from a designer in Seattle, then carefully replaced it back inside it’s protective plastic, knowing I could never afford to shop like that again. I barely even go out anymore and when I do it’s no place I’d wear silk.
Now that I’ve duly chastised myself I can move on to the glee with which I bound up the stairs with my haul. I had an all-night fashion show, just me and the mirror, with all the ways I could mix and match my finds. There’s something about fall that gives me a boost. I feel like there’s greater potential for being glamorous in the coming year. I make the rounds, seeing what in; what colors are hot. Then I go home and see what I need, and if somethings going to be hard to match I bring it with me.
The sweater I bought – brown seems to be in this year — matched a blazer I got last year, which sat in my closet because it didn’t match anything. The brushed denim pants I found looked great with both. So now I have a whole new outfit. Same story with a skirt I found at the end of last winter — nothing to wear with it. So I brought it with me and had a sale’s girl find its match. And the top she found just happened to match another jacket I had not been able to wear. That’s how I shop. I find these odd-ball things I love but forget to complete the outfit until the season comes around again. How do you shop?
Comments (16)
Just like that. Buy separate pieces that reach out and grab me, in colors that sing to me, and fabrics that make me drool. Take ‘em home, lock the bedroom door, pull everything out of the closet, and discover at least six new combinations never before achieved.
Yup, just like that.
Except I mostly wear a uniform except when I’m gardening so my clothes just hang in my closet, sad and neglected. Good for you, shopping. Completely reasonable. And the cost? You’re worth it.
Boring, I must stop reading these chick blogs, but usually they are fascinating. So, I guess I will keep checking on your Prudy. I get enough of this “look” at what I got today from living with two women, my wife and daughter. Plus, my wife has two sisters nearby and they always stop off to show what they have bought too.
I love to shop, and am long-legged too, which makes it difficult. I rarely tell people how hard it is for me to find stuff that really fits, because I am tall and thin and I get the withering looks. The “puh-lease” look. But when I do find the best pants or a great shirt, I buy them in bulk. Then run around in shorts all day because I work out of the house.
Used to shop all the time just to have something to do. Now I have lots to do so I don’t shop much, that and where in the hell would I wear it?? To the Ranch to feed cattle?? Oh, Pru, there is a great ebay company called Evalueville.com…they start everything at .99 with combined shipping for anything bought in one day. I score big there!! Everything is either Macy’s or something comparable.
Marilyn
I truly hate shopping but I find these screaming deals but rarely matching outfits. Great idea to bring the odd & ends into the store & have the clerk help. I will have to try that.
RYC: THANK YOU for such wonderful comments. You truly made my night!!
Sounds nice even if you feel you went overboard. Sometimes a treat is just nice:) And I’d take those pointed toe shoes back. What moron thought designing those shoes, thought they would be nice to wear? I remember as a kid, dressing up in my mom’s old flapper outfit, pointed shoes included, ugh. If you look at her feet/toes now…you can see the damage done by those things. It’s sad to see them coming back into style.
As for shopping habits, I don’t many places and cannot justify buying new clothes often. Most of my wardrobe is at least 5 years old. When I do buy thought, except the rare piece, I do sales.
Love your description about the whole shopping experience…I also like shopping – especially when I have hours to browse and try different things on, go to different stores, and build outfits based on things I already own. I really like looking for bargains…but stuff that looks good and is functional! Mix ‘n match really does work! Saw your comment on TimsHead’s site – thought I’d pop over and say hi – have a great night! :>)
Oh, heck. Don’t kick yourself for a pre-fall shopping spree. Everyone does it. And if you are hard to fit, then the extra expense is worth it. I have exactly the opposite problem you have: I’m very small and wear petite clothes (which sell out quickly in our area, due to the high number of Asians who live here). I also have small, but narrow feet, so I just go nuts when I find shoes that fit me. But I have given up on the pointy, high-heeled variety. Only for weddings and such.
As for silk, I wear it around the house here. Why save it for a special occasion?
That being said, I really need to go through my closets and get rid of stuff I’m never going to wear anymore. I have enough “retired” clothes to supply a third-world country. I don’t know why I hang onto things I’m never going to wear again, but I have this pack-rat problem that’s tough to conquer. Right now, I’m going through my son’s old room and getting rid of the old clothes he used to wear–donating them to charity. Was he ever that small?
Anyway, don’t get down on yourself
XxX my fingers for a contract for you.
woohoo on the shopping spree. 
I might be a shopper like you- I can think of three great skirts I bought last Christmas that I didn’t have a matching top to go with. There they sit… Waiting… I know I’ll find something to coordinate with it. Soon… I shop on sale- it’s not often I find something I GOTTA have right away. I have a hard time finding anything to fit ‘right’ on me. Short body, big boobs, it’s quite a pair.
sounds like a great time and well worth the money you spent… anything that brings you that much joy has to be worth it!
Sounds beautiful. I’ve become a shoe fanatic, though I haven’t done much shopping at all for lack of funds. I’m so picky about everything, so everything I buy is a treasure. Usually I have my boy go with me, because he’s really good at picking out what will look good on me…. Or I steal from my mother
ryc: you might be right. i donno for sure. i never thought about it b4
I love to shop. I’m a shop-aholic. Hence, with very little money, I stay out of the stores. If I can’t stand it, I go into the mall, w/o my pocketbook.
I love the joy of shopping. It’s a sport.
I had a boutique. It cured me of wanting to shop for clothes forever! I do like nice shoes though. I had a couple of pairs made for me in Bali this summer. $23 a pair in leather to my own design. I couldn’t resist the offer.
Thanks for stopping by my site and for your kind comments.
RYC: If by any chance you are a woman of faith, pray for your ability for forgive her and pray for healing in your relationship. I think that is the true secret. When I decided to forgive, I didn’t exactly feel like it, but we do that with God’s help. We make the commitment first and then the feelings follow with God’s grace. Believe me, I am a living testament to the fact that God can work miracles.
I love to shop, but lately I’m hooked on shopping online. It’s SO easy! No lines, either.
ah, shopping, prudy, i do that for a living. having picked up armani and chanel and jones ny and laura ashley and gunne sax and flax and lily pulitzer etc, not to mention all t he vintage, for $1-5 US each, i find it really really hard to buy for myself retail. which i must do as what i find that fits me, i usually hate the color or the cut or both. so i sew, or mostly, since i work at home, do without more than a couple of changes. of course now i’ve worn the same thing out 4 times with t, who seemingly doesn’t notice, but i do, so have been on a ebay shopping spree. hard though, cause i’m starting from literally one outfit i can wear and look respectable outside the apartment. at least i can put things together as i go, one of the first a pair of patchwork pants, blues and purples, from an indonesian country and a dark blue top, embroidered, from india, thus returning to hippie days when i didh’t dress even a whiff close to hippie style.
what you got for yourself sounds beautiful….
thanks for the good wishes.