Sunday, 23 May 2010

Retail Therapy Rant

Today was another gloriously hot and sunny day in London. My original plans were cancelled late last night so I woke up with nothing in mind. Had a lazy morning and then decided some shopping was sorely needed. As it was such nice weather, Oxford Street was very quiet, which suited me so I didn't have to fight my way through hordes of people.

I only spent a couple of hours shopping, but I've come home with some great stuff - a couple of summery dresses, a skirt, some new vest tops, a couple of pairs of shorts and a couple of sets of bikinis! All stuff that I'll wear this summer and on holidays too. Plus it's a great motivational tool to actually keep to my get fit plan (although in recent days I've been more comfort eating) so this week I'm going to really try to eat properly and do some exercise.

I love shopping, but sometimes it can be so frustrating. Sod's Law means you'll never find what you're looking for, and when you're out window shopping and broke that's when you come across perfectly fitting items that you just *have* to have. For me, sizing is a huge issue. Depending on the store, I can range from a size 6 to a 10. And even then sometimes I find I'm an odd inbetween size, like an 8 will be a teeny bit too tight but a 10 is too baggy. I wish there was a proper standard sizing that was adopted across all shops. I have spent a fortune now on getting my clothes altered!

It's the same with lingerie. Buying bras (and also bikini tops) is always disappointing. Sometimes they fit, sometimes they don't... it depends on the style of the bra and which shop you're in. When I found the perfect everyday bra, I bought about 5 of them - now, quelle surprise, they don't make this style of bra anymore. Grrr. It's a lesson I've learnt the hard way - when you find something that you love and it fits you well, always buy another one. That's why I ended up buying a couple of sets of bikinis today - now I just need to get down to the beach!

Another little rant about shopping, you know those security tags that they use? I totally get why they are used, but I really wish that they weren't, or at least that they were put somewhere else. I don't know if this is just me, but I always seem to have tiny little holes from where they've stuck the pin through, and ultimately it does ruin the fabric. In one of the shops I went to I had to ask the sales assistant to find me another size so off she went into the stockroom. Moments later, success! She's found the right size - but before I can buy it or try it on she whisks it away to punch a security tag through it, only to have to remove it about 10 minutes later and oh yes, there's a hole in my new dress.

Speaking of sales assistants, if I need help I will ask for it, thank you very much. I hate the way that they pounce on you as soon as you've stepped into the store and haven't even looked at anything yet. This also translates into hating when waiting staff come and ask if you'd like to order a drink - when you haven't even sat down or taken your coat off. I might not know what I want to drink yet and might want to take a look at the drinks menu before deciding. I realise that these people are only doing their jobs, but please, try to give a couple of minutes before accosting customers, whether in a restaurant or a shop. Just a couple of minutes. Then it will be all the more appreciated when you do come over and I'll either need help or will know what I want to drink :-)

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