A Necessary Evil
Heather recently posted about things we don’t want to do, and quite a few replied that shopping for clothes fits neatly under this category. I’m going to expand on this theme and add that shopping for evening gowns definitely, undeniably, irrefutably stinks.
I have to get one by the end of the month, and holy hell it’s driving me up the wall. Part of the problem is I live about 90 minutes away from the nearest commercial town of any size, so any drive is a mission. Add to this the fact that my employers have specified that it has to be floor-length. It might, if it’s super classy, be ankle or low-calf-length, but knee length is out of the question. So no cocktail dresses. Plus, it has to be dress. Not a skirt and top. A dress.
And of course, I’ve tried on what feels like a gazillion different dresses, and whaddya know? One is too expensive. Another fits the top and not the bottom. A third is the reverse. A fourth, which I’ve termed the Desert Slut dress, makes me look like, well, you know. Plus countless others. And after two such shopping expeditions, I still don’t have a dress. If I didn’t have to go to this event, which is work-related, I’d throw my hands up and say pooh.
There’s a reason I stick to separates – they’re a heck of a lot easier to buy separate than together. And I’m sure I’ll find a dress and look back on the event and sigh happily, “Man, it was worth it!” But at this point, all I can say is: Dress shopping sucks.
What’s the one article of clothing that you hate shopping for?
– Jean AAR
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dress shops that can customize the type of fabric and dress laytout are the best `
Dryers are harsh in delicate clothes, if you still have to use dryers dry your jeans, you should set it in minimum heat level and do not dry to denim entirely. Hang the jeans and let it dry.
Hi, cool story. I just now clicked a link to your blog and I’m already a fan.
Dresses must top the list. I’m going to a party in a couple of weeks and we’re supposed to be dressed up. Luckily I bought a dress for a party in June, and none of these people attended which means that I can use the same dress.
For me, the reaction in the situation above is exactly opposite of yours, Tracy. If I’m desperate (and that’s usually the case if you find me in a clothing store), it focuses me and I only look for that item and don’t get distracted from other racks of clothes. That’s not to say I find that item easily, but that my mind is not as rattled looking only for a specific piece of clothing as compared to purchasing several different pieces.
Shopping, I confess, is one of my favorite activities. It does seem, though, that when I decide I’m looking for something particular, it’s suddenly very hard to find, even when it seems obvious, like a navy blazer in the spring. So I can see how it would be frustrating shopping for a dress for a particular event. I’m sorry the event was canceled, though. It sounds as though it would have been fun!
Jean, It is a good thing you didn’t spend time and money in a dress only to have the event cancelled. If I were you….I’d breathe a sigh of relief!! No long dress shopping. Although, looking at the dresses on the Nordstrom site, there are quite a few pretty ones. I am short though and would need a petite size. Ah well…good thing I don’t have to find one!
For me, it’s shoes. My feet were always hard to fit because they’re wide-ish, and I have high arches; but now I have inflamed heels so shoes have to fit and have space aged cushioning.
I used to not care about shoes (bags are my thing), but now that my choices are super limited, I crave beautiful shoes. Go figure!
Jean,
Sorry to hear about all your frustrations shopping. I rarely need anything specific, so my shopping experiences are usually enjoyable. Although, once I have any sort of requirement, like you did regarding a certain dress type, I get horribly frustrated. Mostly because I can never find what I have in mind. I’m short, so petite dresses are sometimes in low supply and variety, especially if I don’t want to look like my grandmother’s flowered tablecloth. It is times like yours that makes me really bemoan the fact that we don’t have dresses made specifically to our measurements as a standard anymore. I guess that is one of the prices you have to pay for modern conveniences. ;)
Thanks xina and Katie for the online suggestions. They might not have worked anyway because the shipping to NZ would probably be prohibitive. But in any case, it’s a moot point because the event has been bloody CANCELLED. So it’s a darn good thing I haven’t bought a dress. I was looking forward to it, dress-shopping notwithstanding, and they might reschedule, but it looks like it won’t happen, current economic climate and all that jazz. Sigh.
I’m also a size bigger on the bottom. I don’t buy many dresses, but the ones I do get are very stretchy or flare out from the bust or the waist.
I agree with Ellen AAR about skinny jeans! The only time I buy jeans now is when I manage to sniff out a pair of flared jeans on sale.
I’m with xina on this one. Everything else is a piece of cake compared to shopping for a bathing suit.
Oh…I forgot to add in my post….Jean, try http://www.nordstroms.com Click on Dress Shop. You can choose what length you want. I don’t know if you have time to order online, but they do have a lot to choose from. Good luck.
I actually really enjoy clothes shopping, but if I was having the problems you’re experiencing, I’d be pretty frustrated too.
I’m not sure if this would work, but I thought I’d mention it anyway. Many bridal stores (at least here in the U.S.), carry bridesmaid’s outfits that are cleverly designed to look like dresses, but are actually separates: a bodice and a long skirt. That way women can buy different sizes for top and bottom. I’ve seen quite a few of them that are very pretty and look just like regular evening gowns, albeit gowns with “detailing” around the waist or hips.
I like shopping for clothes. I don’t really have a problem with it, but I did have a problem finding something for my son’s wedding 2 years ago. I must have tried on at least….100 outfits. I ended up with a really pretty black silk skirt..knee length, and a silk printed blouse. Great heels too. And guess what? The bride’s aunt had on almost the same exact outfit! My skirt was different, but hers was still black and she was wearing the same blouse! Ack! Well, we had a laugh over that, but thinking about how much time I had spent looking for that, and someone else wore the same thing made all the time spent, well…almost wasted.
As for jeans, I don’t bother trying them on all over the place. The Gap, J Crew or Banana REpublic. I don’t shop around. I try on the new styles and cuts but always go to those stores. And no…I don’t like skinny jeans either, but I do like the straight jeans.
And I won’t even mention swimming suits. Hate that. hate, hate, hate.
Jeans. There is nothing I hate shopping for more than jeans. I once spent 8 hours, tried on 20-30 pairs and came out buying 5 pairs. It was hell on earth. Apparently, they don’t make fun jeans for people with hips and a butt. AND the jeans were expensive.
Clothes shopping is a bust for me. Can’t wear heels anymore after total hip surgery so dressy clothes are out. No dresses…period!!! Big on top, small on bottom so it’s separates only. Dress up calls for black slacks and a sweater. Makes things easy! But no fun at all.
Dresses for sure. I am one size on the top and another on the bottom so I have to buy a dress that fits me in the butt and then pay to take the top in. I had to do it this summer when I went to my niece’s wedding.
I can also see that this winter I will hate shopping for jeans. Skinny jeans are everywhere and they are evil. I will most likely not buy any jeans this year.
I hate shopping for anything other than casual clothes (and I mean “casual”). I no longer need to “dress up” for work, so my clothes-wearing habits have definitely gone downhill. Every now and then, when needed, I can clean up fairly well. Now I need the nicer clothes to replace the ones I’ve been pitching but not replacing. Shorts, slacks and T-shirts just don’t do it for every occasion (LOL).
I’ll be in a situation quite soon similar to yours, Jean. My daughter is getting married next May, so I’ll have to look for a more elaborate dress. I’m dealing very well with it right now; I’m in total denial. But soon enough I’ll have to be hitting those stores. Denial only works so long.