When shopping tests my patience

Most women love shopping, for shoes, clothes, purses, etc. Of course this is a generalization; I’ve met men who like it just as much. I guess I’m made of a different cloth. I never really liked it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who doesn’t… please tell me I’m not the only woman who doesn’t like shopping…

Ok so here’s what prompted this article; I went shopping for a pair of jeans! I think shopping for jeans is as bad as shopping for a bra. Seriously! Do they make these for women or display mannequins? Have the designers been outside to see what a woman looks like or are they always surrounded only by top models that are too thin to be healthy?

Anyway, this was supposed to be a fun shopping trip with a girlfriend of mine who, wait for it, so happens to be pretty thin herself. I warned her in advance that I wasn’t as easy to “fit” as she is, but she didn’t seem to mind… yet.

One of the first questions you are always asked by the sales person trying to help you find the right fit is “what’s your size?” Really? Did you know that as Americans have grown physically larger, brands have shifted their metrics to make shoppers feel thinner—so much so that a women’s size 12 in 1958 would now be a size 6. Those numbers are even more confusing since a pair of size-6 jeans can vary in the waistband by as much as 6 in., according to one estimate! So how are you supposed to know your size unless you always buy the same brand – can you say marketing strategy 101? But wait, that’s not the end of the story; 67% of American women wear a size 14 or above, and most of the stores don’t carry those numbers! Needless to say; I was in for a rough day!

I am normally a very patient person, but after the 10th pair of jeans, the staticky hair from trying on clothes, thirst creeping up on me, and the lighting in the fitting room that is always so flattering (can you sense the sarcasm?), I was getting less patient and so was my friend. She was stunned that it was so hard for me to find a pair of jeans to fit my thighs and butt into and that would look good and still be somewhat snug at the waist. She pressed on, being a good friend, telling me I would find the perfect pair of jeans in the next store, or the one after that. Another 6 pairs later, we called it off. Both exhausted, hungry and frankly a little annoyed at my body shape - or was it the jeans industry, I can’t remember. Empty handed we headed back home for a well-deserved, rather large, glass of wine!

Moral of this story, if you have curves – you know, like a women – be patient with yourself… and if you want to wear pants, choose any kind that is stretchy or wear yoga pants!

By Jasmine Beausoleil