Does it happen to you? (difficulties in shopping)

Sisi

Today I
feel inspired to write, so I will bother you with my musings.

My wardrobe
has some holes – I badly need Summer dresses and some pretty tops - but I have huge
difficulties in finding the right garment.

Too often
the things I see in stores are :

Too short

Too low
neckline

Too sheer

Ugly fabric

Details
that add useless bulk

Details that create "malfunction" (like the dress I am wearing today - beautiful color and fabric and everything, but armholes that tend to show the bra straps).

The choice
shrinks furthermore considering the colors and the prints that I do not like.

Is it me? Have
I become too picky? Is it today's fashion?

Years ago
it was a pleasure to go shopping, now I dread
it. I know I will return home terribly disappointed.

It is interesting
to note though that friends and coworkers complain about the same thing.

Does it
happen to you?

7 years ago

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sisi, many of us comment on the length of dresses; it can be difficult to find a dress that is not too short -- even for the shorter among us!!

I sympathize about necklines also since I look better in a higher neckline myself. For others I understand the concern is modesty.

Angie's blog is a great source of tips for ways to style items that give you problems.

7 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Dresses, arrrghh! Totally frustrating.
I do plan an adventure to go to a local dept store and look at EVERY dress rack ( usually am too rushed) to see what brands and styles might work or even come close, in case I want to target some more online tries.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Welcome to my World. Especially the part about sheerness. I think I have searched every single retailer for a white sleeveless opaque shirt that does not have too deep of a v-neck. I just don't think it exists and I am giving up altogether for this year.

You ARE NOT TOO PICKY. You are discriminating and refuse to settle.

7 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Oh yes I can relate to much of this - especially the armhole situation! I do not think you are too picky at all. Unless you have nothing left to wear then you may need to compromise with a stand in until you find the right thing!

7 years ago

Anonymous

Yes. You are definitely not alone. I'm over too low, too short especially. That's why I haven't found the casual summer dresses I'd like this year.

7 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

You're not alone! But part of it also may be the season. The middle of ACTUAL summer is a pretty terrible time for shopping unless you want the skimpiest of beach and boho wear. Angie wrote on the blog that the best time for summer shopping is in the spring, really before it gets warm for anyone (even here in Texas). It's so counter-intuitive, but I paid attention this year, and it's TRUE. The best dress selection seems to come out for Easter, too. So hang on - there will be good stuff again. Timing is key when you're particular, like most of us here.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Ginger - I agree. That's also why I like the first fall wave for winter. Otherwise it's too hot for my climate.

7 years ago

Nebraskim

Veteran

Agree with all of your assessments. The too short, too sheer, too deep neckline AND almost always sleeveless styling of nearly every dress is annoying. My fallback now is to wear dresses more as tunics over leggings and to always have a shrug or some other wrap for my arms. The other thing to think about is WHERE you are shopping, and in what departments. Stores that skew toward a younger demographic will show shorter, more revealing clothing. Recently I went to Penney's to buy a robe for my elderly mother, and I got distracted by Penney's large and actually somewhat nice selection of summer dresses. Their selection was much bigger and nicer than other stores in our mall. (I live in Lincoln, Neb., so our options can be oddly limiting.)

7 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Constantly!

7 years ago

always trying

Veteran

agree about dresses, but also literally all clothing these days. Everything is just made to fit a large number and type bodies by adding stretch to everything.

7 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I am sure you are not alone. Too-short hemlines never happen to me because I'm petite, but I hear others comment on this ALL THE TIME. It's very frustrating because you cannot make a dress longer!

I sympathize about the too-large armholes on sleeveless tops. That is a recurring problem for me. I think the idea is that you're supposed to wear a pretty bandeau top underneath, but it seems like too much work to me!

I also agree with Always trying about the stretch being added to everything. It may be part of the reason I shy away from dresses in general. I find that stretchy fabric often clings unattractively.

Hopefully this is just a retail "phase", and in a few years you'll be finding all kinds of things you like. (I never did like shopping anyway -- although I do like having, and you don't get to the having without the shopping!).

7 years ago

Anonymous

Trust me, you are NOT alone! Shopping is frustrating because you have to search and search and search before finding the perfect item(s) to buy. Don't settle unless you need something right away, and leave no retail store unturned. Sometimes the best things turn up in the most unlikely places.

7 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I agree, in particular about sheer light weight summer tops.... I'm buying that kind of thing for the heat of summer, not because I want to layer a poly cami or whatever underneath.
I did realize this year, based on a Talbot's piece I found at a rummage sale (a properly lined sequinned tank), that the quality and attention to detail I want is probably better found at more expensive stores. But it's always a question of how often I will wear that more expensive item, usually not enough to make the CPW reasonable.

7 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

How many intersting answers! Now I am in a hurry, tomorrow I will get back to you.

Bye.

xxx S.

7 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I've returned so many tops and blouses due to excessive sheerness - the last thing I want in deep summer is to have to wear an extra layer. Thinking about the dresses I've been wearing lately in the 90 degree heat that are both light enough but also covered up enough to wear to work, it seems that they are mostly the ones I've had for a few years so of course they are no longer available.

7 years ago

Theodora

Active Member

Gee, I hate seeing ads in the middle of this forum...

7 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Nope, not too picky.

Much of what is touted as business wear is ridiculous. Too short skirts and dresses. Too low cut tops. Too tight trousers. Crop tops that ever show skin are not acceptable

I get casual weekend wear, but come on! I want to be taken seriously at work.

7 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

Thank you for all your interesting comments (sorry I get back to you so late). So, we are all in the same boat! I am seriously considering to find a good seamstress and design my clothes myself.

7 years ago

Anonymous

NO!! You are not being too picky. ALL of those are deal breakers for me. I have had to train myself to spot those defects in the store and NOT settle.

Some pet peeves:

Too sheer.

Tops that expose bra straps.

Tops that expose too much overall.

Pants that are too short.

Itchy fabrications.

Poor construction.

Retailers have significantly cheapened their lines. It shows. Some people might still be buying, but in time, this will catch up with the retailers.

7 years ago

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