I’ve been searching for the perfect outfit for a while. I used to have one I loved, and it lasted for twenty years, but it got irreparably damaged, and I had to let it go.
It took some time to find a new one that I liked, but eventually, I did. I’d seen it around campus but never considered how it might look on me, until one day I had the chance to wear it to dinner. It was a bit wild and different from what I was used to with its Bohemian vibe, beads, and flowing form, but it promised fun and adventure – a new me – so, in due time, I took it home.
After a few years, however, that garment lost its charm. I found that it just didn’t fit right and pinched me in places. Some of the beads I’d believed to be precious stones turned out to be fake, too, so I gave the whole ensemble away. Maybe it would suit someone else better, and as it turned out, it did. My friend seems to like it a lot.
It was then I realized the entire clothing industry had changed. Instead of seeing outfits at work, regular community gatherings, or family events, where I could evaluate them from afar, ask questions, and get to know if they suited my style, every shop was now online only.
There were now boutique shops where you had to pay to see the items, rummage sale sites that were free but that blurred all the important item details unless you paid a fee, and the totally free fire sales, but those came with a one-time viewing opportunity and a picture. You had to decide yes or no on the spot. So, I decided on a pay-to-view rummage site.
Rummage sales remind me of treasure hunting. You have to search through racks and racks of outfits, every single item unique, looking for something that catches your eye. You then inspect it to see if it’s a hidden gem, and when you’ve satisfied yourself that it could be a good fit and style, you try it on – only to immediately learn you just don’t like the feel, the intangible essence of it you couldn’t perceive from the images and text.
Fortunately, there’s a great, no obligation return policy when you discover it chafes, feels too artsy, or comes with accessories that don’t suit you.
I’ve found some great buys, though! One was practical and easy to see myself in, but I needed something grander to reflect my adventurous side. Another was super glitzy, and I felt amazing when I wore it out in public, but it turned out to be way more than I could afford. I felt false presenting myself as more glamorous than I really was.
I extricated myself from that gossamer concoction and decided to try the online shops again. I tried out a few new garments; some even had matching shoes that would need a few years of nurturing to become their best polished shelves, but in the end, nothing really matched me.
Online rummage sales, even the boutique shops with admission fees, are just not for me. All that research and information gathering about an outfit is a poor return on investment, and I’m a busy person. Don’t get me wrong, I do see the value, convenience, and efficiency of these sites. Some of my friends have found the perfect outfit, gone on to get a matching white gown, and have left shopping behind. It’s amazing to see, and I love when it happens, but I doubt that will be the way I find my new wardrobe. For now, I’m going to simply be comfortable in the clothes I’m wearing and get on with my life. I’ll participate in things I enjoy, and if I see something that I particularly like, who knows? It might become my next investment.
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