Shopping Roundup

I hate shopping. I especially hate shopping for clothes. I hate even more shopping for clothes for me. I don't mind picking up things for my husband or children, but I avoid buying new clothes for myself at all costs. Anyone who knows me would not be shocked by the fact that I have held on to t-shirts and jeans that I have had since college. Until recently I have not been able to fit into those jeans since probably my first year of marriage (2002).

Last week I decided to go through my closet and get rid of clothes that a)don't fit b)I don't wear. Since winter is coming up (I know, wishful thinking) I decided to start with my winter wear. I tried on all my new jeans and dress pants from last year. They were all way too big (This is the first time in a long time that I have been able to say that. I had to buy new jeans last winter in a bigger size than the winter before to get my fat ass to fit into them). Then I got out my jeans from college that I have held on to all these years in the hopes that one day I may fit into them again. Shockingly they fit, some were even too big. As I continued going through my closet I realized I had emptied out most of my winter wardrobe.

That prompted my big shopping spree this week. I will admit that I got some nice clothes that I am eager to wear and was able to buy them in a size I haven't fit in since college. I got slacks and dress pants, capris, and a few sweaters. The problem is that I am picky beyond belief. Not necessarily by style or appearance (I'm about as casual as they come) but by how the material feels. The biggest problem for me is finding casual t-shirts that a)are soft enough b)aren't too long c)aren't too short d)sleeves don't end by shoulders e)sleeves don't come down to elbows and the list goes on. That leaves very few shirts. As a result I have been wearing these nasty white tshirts all summer long because they are so old they have shrunk and worn to the desired "feel." But my family and friends are embarassed by these shirts so my goal was above all to find new t-shirts.

Now, I'm cheap. I hate to spend money on clothes, especially my clothes. If pants are more than $20 I won't get them. If shirts are more than $10 no way. Sweaters more than $15 nope! Well, this week was the exception. I found pants that fit so great and so comfortably that I bought them anyway, even though some cost $35 (on sale). I figured it was worth it if I'd actually wear them. I bought sweaters that were flattering to my figure for $20(again, on sale). I realize for nice clothes that really is not a lot of money, but I still hated to part with it. After a while that adds up to hundreds of dollars that I feel guilty spending on myself.

I digress as the ultimate goal was to find casual t-shirts. I believe I have found the promised land. GAP!
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=17082&pid=558959
I never buy from Gap because they are so damned expensive, but I got two pairs of dress pants that were $80 marked down to $20 each. The shirts I found were $12, which was well worth it. They are simple v-neck shirts, solid colors, nothing more. Nothing flashy or fancy about them, but they fit just right and are so incredibly soft it feels like I have been wearing them for years. They hit the top of my pants so they aren't too short or too long. The sleeves end halfway between my shoulder and elbow so they are perfect and it's just roomy enough to not be totally form fitting without being big and bulky. It was like I died and went to heaven. Needless to say I picked up one in every color that they had. I may have missed a few colors, which will require a trip back in the near future.

All in all I am happy with the shopping trip and even more happy with my tshirt find. It's the simple things!