Shopping for Myself

          What a boring topic for a long winded post, and yet here I type. I am not a shop for entertainment person and never have been. My teen years were the glory days of the shopping mall rise. Some of my friends would have easily planted themselves at Burnsville Center or Maplewood Mall ( these are barely retail venues anymore- not much shopping there) all day, browsing, some buying, hanging at the food court stretching an over priced sofa and fries for an hour to people watch. That's the only reason I joined, and their company. None of us had a lot of money to spend, but my friends would bounce from store to store, trying things on, putting looks together, before making a few purchases. Even then, I was a practical shopper and my fashion sense was non-existent. 

     My older kids were very young when The Mall of America was built. That became their school shopping destination of choice. Before they drove, but when old enough (and fairly good with money), I'd turn them loose with each other and friends, their clothing allowance and general guide, and I'd find a place for coffee and my book. They'd check in, maybe drop bags off until we met for lunch, then maybe spend another hour or so before we headed to Target for the school supply side of their school start. 

     I remember my husband taking them one time with a friend each, thinking it would be a fun bonding experience. He must have gone on his day off when the toddler was at childcare. I remember having little sympathy and laughing when he described his day, especially about the bits with the girls, walking in and walking out without looking much, then coming back to the same stores to look at just two shirts for ages.  I forgot to tell him about the vibe check. Before lingering in a store too long, they had to get a feel for it- that was the purpose of the walk in- walk out. They'd shop at the stores that passed. 

     Now, my son is very much a shop to replace person. My girls like the hunt of thrifting both for the economics and environmental factors, but also that they can put  together a closet that fits their personality and style, not curated by a department store buyer. I still, even in thrift stores, shop with a specific need in mind. With more time in my hands, maybe I'll do more browsing just because I can. 

   

Bristol forecast the day I leave for England.

 I decided though, in planning for three trips, I really do need a wardrobe refresh. Between losing then putting some pounds back on, many clothes feel shapeless and for someone else's body. My activities will vary over the next four months to include long flights, beaches and wineries, outdoor markets, arcades, and posh department stores, sight seeing and hikes in unknown terrain, swimming and boat rides, museums and theaters, sporting events, and lots of restaurants- and that's on all three! I want to look nice but also be comfortable. I need to be prepared for rain and cold, but also warmer than normal days, and downright heat in Florida potentially. When we were in the UK in March 2014, we experienced all, and had to make what we packed work. I can't buy new clothes for all three trips, so have to buy strategically to supplement what I've deemed will still work from what I own.

Weather in the Florida city for trip. 

     I got a start last night by ordering things through Kohl's ship to store. I might not keep it all, particularly if I'm not happy with the fit. Three pairs of pull on pants, not leggings, with pockets, one pair cropped wide leg jeans, one patterned t-shirt, sweater tights, slip on no lace gray tennis shoes, and cropped pant pajamas should be here by Saturday. Once I decide what's kept, I'll actually go shopping Sunday to complete my purchases. Meet me at the mall anyone?