Regarding pickiness, that's a tough one for me. I would love to be more picky, believe it or not.
During my recent excursions to find a perfect dress for DH's reunion, I ran into my favorite sales clerk, who is now working in the Nordie's dress department. She used to work at Ann Taylor. She told me she used to love AT but has lost her enthusiasm because she thinks the quality has gone way downhill. We talked about ATL and AT Outlet as well, and agreed that often you will buy something there only to find out that after one wash it is ruined.
Anyway she got to showing me dresses that were no less than $500 - and on up. Major designer labels. All were impeccable quality, amazing fabrics, beautiful clothing. I was drooling over them, while on the hanger. But then get them on my body? And the fit was all wrong! Not the style (these were styles I knew would work on my figure), but the fit. Lengthwise. Because I'm too short.
She had the store tailor come in to take a look, and after much discussion, the tailor agreed with my impression - the alterations were just too extensive - and expensive! - to be practical. It would've involved not just a hem, but shortening the top part, requiring major reconstruction of the garment. Even if I didn't mind spending the $, the tailor didn't think it was worth it. It's so easy to say "oh get it tailored" but what I learned is - it's not always that easy.
Thus I ended up back in the petite department, with the usual petite assortment. I found several dresses that fit perfectly - but not a single one had that same impeccable designer quality and fabric.
Sales clerk commiserated with me, as I bemoaned the lack of impeccable quality in petite sizing... I would gladly pay $500 - even $1000! - for a 1000% perfect dress, instead of $100 for 10 so-so dresses (fit great but quality not quite there).... she pointed out that since petite people are in the minority, manufacturers cut costs by making the clothing out of lower quality fabrics. That makes perfect sense to me, if I was the manufacturer. But as a petite person, while I'm glad there's a lot more choice out there than there used to be, finding that 1000% perfect garment is just not going to happen.
So my point is this: because I'm petite, I have to settle. I will not settle on fit, which sends me into the petite department. If I can't have the perfect high quality dress, then maybe I'm just going to go ahead and own 10 of them.
(And yes, I know you can find quality at lower price points - if you are regular sized, I'm sure your options are much greater. But I can't even buy from Target - their clothes don't fit me either!!!).
Okay, I know, this is a long, "poor pitiful me" whine.
