Flavoured Echoes

I am confident that every article of clothing that should be donated is being donated.  I have looked through the bags a second time (and even tried to reclaim at least one pair of jeans but it wasn’t to be) to be certain I never want to see these things again.  They will be dropped off this week.

It’s the beginning of a new month so I get another bit of cash this week and I will be focusing on tops.  I have a few more tops I could stand to lose but I need replacements before that occurs.  I will be looking for sales this times to stretch my dollar as far as possible, I am hoping to come home with 3 or 4 on a budget of $140. I wish I could go shoe shopping but I have to focus on my priorities.

I am envious of the “contributors” on What Not to Wear, they get to do this process in a week; this is going to take me a year!  A little bit of patience is needed. Sigh.

eta: I ended up getting two skirts and two tops.

Today, I bought clothing for myself and all in all, it went well.  I had a little over $200 in my pocket and my “What Not To Wear” rules in my head when I headed out to visited College Square. I chose this location since  it had enough clothing stores but not a dizzying array on multiple floors.  I figure the shopping centers can be saved for colder weather.

I decided to tackle bottoms first.  I have one pair of pants.  I started looking and tried on what I considered reasonably priced pants, around $50.  The first pair I tried on were scratchy, not an ideal start.  I have no idea how they fit, scratchy pants will never make it into my closet.  I tried on other pants and was quickly discouraged, too low, too tight, too big.  There were skirts, skirts are bottoms. No dice here either.  Something in the cuts, they was too young from my liking, they’d hug my bottom and then flare out. No, no, no.  I need A-line.   So on I went.  I visited all the other stores to see what kind of colour and cut, for this autumn shades of grey and cooler colours seem to be in, no warm browns or caramels.  In my travels I did find the ultimate goal of clothing shopping: Femme de carrière.  Gorgeous clothing but for the moment, outside my price range.  Will revisit another time.

Back to reality, I eventually found myself at Tommy Hilfiger.  Breathing a sigh of relief as I felt this was more age appropriate for me compared to the other stores.  I found two pairs of trousers that fit nicely and were not black/charcoal/grey.  One is a camel colour and the other is a brown pinstrip tweed (for lack of a better description). Now, I had instructed myself not to look for on-sale-only items but these happen to be on sale.  The ticket claims they were originally priced at $138.00 each and they are now on for $59.99. Sure, I can stretch my dollar. For $135.58 the pants were mine.  There was some hyperventilating (remember, I’m new at this) so I decided that an easy purchase was needed next.

Since I bought pants, the next logical step is thongs. I am aware of the “visible pantyline” issue, not always an offender, but better safe than sorry. One stop in LaSenza and 28 dollars later, I have 5.  No need to go into more details here.

I was down to around $50 and figured that I could use a few tops.  I found myself back at Smart Set for this after a few tried in other shops.  I found a red knit sweater with a somewhat boat neckline.  I also picked up a purple camisole, because I could. Came to a total of $42.94. Camisole doesn’t work as a top alone or compliment the red number (for cut, not colour) but I wanted something a little frivolous. It is long enough to put under a top and have a bit of lace sticking out the bottom plus, it allows me to wear v-necks in the office.  I remember that layering makes a outfit interesting and that “pop” of colour that Stacy and Clinton refer to so often, can be done.

I am done.  It wasn’t the most fun but I have a better idea of how to shop. I think every purchase will be appreciated and fit my body properly. I am excited for when the staples are done but that will be a while yet, for too long have I had to wear the same clothes week in and week out, I am still firmly in square one.  I have a lot of shopping to do, but I have to wait to gather the funds first.

I realize photos would make this post better, I’ll post some soon.

Next challenge: find a tailor and find a dry cleaner.

As much as I want to get all those lovely new clothes into my wardrobe, it can’t happen over night.  Worse, I am down to one pair of dress pants that are still on the big size but still not so loose. I had to give up the other pair since I was floating inside them and they were falling off.  Needless to say, the next couple of purchases will be pants, at least two pair. The search begins at The Gap (upon recommendation) in the middle of the month.

Meanwhile, I have my appointment to get my hair cut on Saturday and I can’t wait. It is time and I hope to look sharper and more professional.  If you’re going to do one thing at a time, this is definitely at the top of the list of the priorities.  I am not colouring since I don’t want to spend the money to keep it up at this time, maybe later.

I do have a little bit of spending money in my pocket so I am hoping to find a pair of shoes that I can walk to work in. I know that ballet flats are in but I am wondering if the look is too young for me.  I’d be changing into heels once I arrive, but still, I guess it’s better than runners.  I’ll have to see.

Update: no shoes for me, sent money in a wiser way.