Felt like tresspassing....
I seem to post a lot about clothes...here's another one.
Over the next 4 weeks, I have a LOT of work commitments that will require "good" professional clothes. Some of what I have will do, but I need to boost the wardrobe a bit.
So last week I started browsing at the mall and found a jacket I liked....but it was too big. (What? did I say that??) I started wondering if they would have the same jacket in the Petites dept. and if I could make that one work.
They didn't have it in a petite, but I did spend some time browsing there, and even tried on a few things. This evening I went to a couple of different stores, trying on mainly jackets and slacks - mostly not in petites due to length, but a few things were okay there.
But along the way....I found myself feeling like I was tresspassing. As if someone was going to accost me in The Bon Ton and say "What???YOU can't try on that size!!! What are YOU doing in this part of the store???? What are you buying? It MUST be for someone else!!!!"
I could almost imagine other shoppers wondering why on earth I would be browsing in a "normal" size range.
Does anybody else feel like they are in the twilight zone when you enter a dept. store?
Over the next 4 weeks, I have a LOT of work commitments that will require "good" professional clothes. Some of what I have will do, but I need to boost the wardrobe a bit.
So last week I started browsing at the mall and found a jacket I liked....but it was too big. (What? did I say that??) I started wondering if they would have the same jacket in the Petites dept. and if I could make that one work.
They didn't have it in a petite, but I did spend some time browsing there, and even tried on a few things. This evening I went to a couple of different stores, trying on mainly jackets and slacks - mostly not in petites due to length, but a few things were okay there.
But along the way....I found myself feeling like I was tresspassing. As if someone was going to accost me in The Bon Ton and say "What???YOU can't try on that size!!! What are YOU doing in this part of the store???? What are you buying? It MUST be for someone else!!!!"
I could almost imagine other shoppers wondering why on earth I would be browsing in a "normal" size range.
Does anybody else feel like they are in the twilight zone when you enter a dept. store?
Lynn,
The last time I went shopping at Boscov's I had to keep redirecting myself away from the women's dept. I have to go this weekend and buy some spring clothes. I am down to 5 outfits and they are all for cold weather. This early spring caught me by surprise. The weird thing is that I don't want to go clothes shopping - I am tired of having to do this every few months. I just gave my youngest sister 7 blouses/tops that are too big for me and some I really liked. That's enough of the pity party. I still don't like clothes shopping even though I can do it in "regular" stores now. Been feeling very self conscious about the body these last few weeks and not in a good way. Oh well at least I'll have something interesting to talk with therapist about this week
I think that your way of thinking is pretty normal for all of us. Once again our minds have not caught up to our bodies and so we still fight this "stinking thinking". You look great and deserve to outfit your body to show that off (these are the very words I need to hear myself). Sorry for the rambling but your post just hit a spot with me. Hope that you have a good weekend. Looking forward to seeing you at Barix in 2 weeks. Take care.
Donna
The last time I went shopping at Boscov's I had to keep redirecting myself away from the women's dept. I have to go this weekend and buy some spring clothes. I am down to 5 outfits and they are all for cold weather. This early spring caught me by surprise. The weird thing is that I don't want to go clothes shopping - I am tired of having to do this every few months. I just gave my youngest sister 7 blouses/tops that are too big for me and some I really liked. That's enough of the pity party. I still don't like clothes shopping even though I can do it in "regular" stores now. Been feeling very self conscious about the body these last few weeks and not in a good way. Oh well at least I'll have something interesting to talk with therapist about this week
I think that your way of thinking is pretty normal for all of us. Once again our minds have not caught up to our bodies and so we still fight this "stinking thinking". You look great and deserve to outfit your body to show that off (these are the very words I need to hear myself). Sorry for the rambling but your post just hit a spot with me. Hope that you have a good weekend. Looking forward to seeing you at Barix in 2 weeks. Take care.
Donna
OMG!!!! I totally get that!!!! There were a few times where I actually thought I needed to leave a store because I had NO IDEA where to go. What we think is going to be an exhilirating experience turns out to be another bump in the road. However, it is just that - a bump....once you realize that people are NOT going to look at you funny and they are NOT going to ask, "So - what kind of gift are you looking for?", yo will start to realize that it is where you belong. I haven't been shopping in quite a while as I have finally slowed down my weight loss - however, as Donna said many of MY things are also winter and I need some spring things. Do it a few more times and it will START to feel a little more normal. And when you go to your closet and put something on that fit you three weeks ago - and STILL fits - be ready for the party in your head - And in my case - in front of the mirror - I still get a little giggly when the slacks that are in that CRAZY size that I have NEVER seen, still zip and button, 2 months after I bough tthem.....weird stuff!!!!
ALL the time!
Today at the mall my friend (who is a size 20/22) went into Lane Bryant and could you believe that I actually picked up a jacket and said "oh my - this is GREAT! I LOOOOVE it" She said "Yea, but blue isn't my color" She didn't realize I was talking about it for ME. And then when she did she just looked at me and said "yea......turn around and look in the mirror"
I go into the petite section (cause I'm shorter than short!) and still look around like "what the heck am I doing in HERE. Nothing is going to fit me!" And I've been the same basic weight (give or take 5-10 pounds) for 18 mos.
Today at the mall my friend (who is a size 20/22) went into Lane Bryant and could you believe that I actually picked up a jacket and said "oh my - this is GREAT! I LOOOOVE it" She said "Yea, but blue isn't my color" She didn't realize I was talking about it for ME. And then when she did she just looked at me and said "yea......turn around and look in the mirror"
I go into the petite section (cause I'm shorter than short!) and still look around like "what the heck am I doing in HERE. Nothing is going to fit me!" And I've been the same basic weight (give or take 5-10 pounds) for 18 mos.
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Lynn,
Great insight and yes, I have felt that feeling and my first foray into shopping regular department clothing was overwhelming and I walked out of the stores in tears, not knowing how to shop there, when I was a big girl, I knew what manufacturers fit and where to shop, when I got small enough to shop regular size clothing the selection was overwhelming. Then there were the specialty stores that I could never shop in, some of which I still find myself thinking that they don't carry my size (lol), but that is getting better, now it's about shopping for stylish, age appropriate clothing (though sometimes I do like something kind of young looking (lol)). I found the petites in Loft and JC Penney's to my liking and there are always good deals to be had in Marshalls, TJs and Ross, though my size (12/14) is the "common" size, so it takes some looking through at times. . .
It takes time, but it's definitely more fun shopping these days/
Take care, Laureen
Great insight and yes, I have felt that feeling and my first foray into shopping regular department clothing was overwhelming and I walked out of the stores in tears, not knowing how to shop there, when I was a big girl, I knew what manufacturers fit and where to shop, when I got small enough to shop regular size clothing the selection was overwhelming. Then there were the specialty stores that I could never shop in, some of which I still find myself thinking that they don't carry my size (lol), but that is getting better, now it's about shopping for stylish, age appropriate clothing (though sometimes I do like something kind of young looking (lol)). I found the petites in Loft and JC Penney's to my liking and there are always good deals to be had in Marshalls, TJs and Ross, though my size (12/14) is the "common" size, so it takes some looking through at times. . .
It takes time, but it's definitely more fun shopping these days/
Take care, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
It is crazy, isn't it? I still look almost longingly at the women's department . . . I was so comfortable there. Knew it indepth in every store ---- Boscov's, Kohl's, Penney's, Target . . . Now I don't feel I fit in anywhere . . . too tall for Petites, too old for Juniors, almost too small for Misses and it's really hard to find 4&6 Talls anywhere . . . most brands start at 8 tall . . . my husband just laughs at me.
(deactivated member)
on 3/19/10 11:42 pm - Philadelphia, PA
on 3/19/10 11:42 pm - Philadelphia, PA
Very inspiring - I can't even imagine! I do all my shopping online and haven't shopped in a non-plus dept since the 90's. They look like doll clothes to me.
Right there with ya on this one sister. I still can't get used to it. My hubby just shakes his head at me, but it is just weird to not go straight for the plus sizes. Yea and why is it when the plus sizes fit they were all ugly as sin and now that I don't fit they actually have cute stuff. What is up with that?
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