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Shoes over pants, Fashion passions and shopping dislikes
By Meg | March 24, 2008
There’s a reason why I have an obscene number of shoes. Whenever I go clothes shopping, I make a b-line for the shoes section.
It doesn’t matter what I’m there to look for, I’m hardly in the door when the shoe section starts calling me. Fortunately, I tend to shop mostly at Ross and T.J. Maxx, so most of my shoes are easily under $20. On the other hand, it’s easier for me to buy three pairs of shoes for $12.99 each than to spend $40 on a single pair of shoes. And if I find a pair in my size that’s a cute style and interesting color… well, frankly, my willpower melts.
Shoes aren’t my only weakness, though. I also have a weakness for hats, though I find it harder to find great hats. Bags can also be very tempting, though I’ve been better about those this year. Really, just about any great accessory can tempt me.
Actual clothing doesn’t call me quite the same, except for a few items. Despite living in Florida, I have about as many jackets as days in the week, one reason why I love this time of year when I can wear them regularly. I also love skirts, which I can wear all year round. For the longest time, I also had a thing for dresses, though I’ve transitioned more to skirts this year.
What don’t I enjoy buying? I absolutely detest buying pants, which is one reason why I’ve become a skirt gal. I hardly ever wear pants of any type and only have a few pairs that currently fit me: a pair of jeans, a pair of purple capris, and a pair of black slacks that I had to buy as part of a band uniform and haven’t worn outside of performances. The only pair of real shorts I have is a pair that I bought at a consignment store but have still not worn (I still cling to the hope that I’ll fit into them one day, though).
I’m also not that big into buying shirts. I’m getting better, but my wardrobe does tend to bottleneck around tops. I especially don’t do long sleeved stuff, unless it’s a jacket that I can take off easily. And when I weed out my closet, tops tend to make up a big part of the Goodwill pile.
In fact, I’m rather proud of myself for buying quite a few tops recently at Ross. Of course, I went there to return three that I had bought a few weeks prior, and I’ve only worn one yet. So, they’re place in my wardrobe is still up in the air. However, they’re predominantly solid colored knits, so they have a good chance of staying.
I admit, though, that I still did buy a skirt and two pairs of shoes that day, as well as a denim jacket. One pair of shoes was to replace two other pairs that I wear for performances since the new pair is much nicer quality, looks better, and is more comfortable. The other pair I bought because they seem to comfortable and practical, but stylish enough that my friend Katy and I got matching pairs. The skirt I justified since it was a bright floral skirt in fabulous colors perfect for Easter, and it matched two other pairs of new shoes. And believe it or not, I didn’t have a denim jacket and thought it would be a nice alternative to the hoodie that my husband doesn’t care for. Thank goodness he loves all the new stuff as much as I do.
Justifications aside, though, I can’t help but feel a tinge of guilt since I still can’t seem to break my typical shopping patterns and just buy what I need most.
What’s your fashion weakness? Is there anything you really hate buying? Is either a problem for you? If so, have you found any ways to get past your typical buying habits so that you can build a well-rounded wardrobe?
Tags: Bags, Fashion, Hats, Pants, Shoes, Shorts, Spending Money, Style
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March 24th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Out of curiosity what do you wear while exercising if you own so few shorts and pants?
March 24th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Good question, Keely! Actually, I forgot to include a few pairs or gym shorts and yoga pants. Mostly, I just wear them at home for lounging or as pajamas, so I don’t think of them as part of my regular wardrobe (hence why I forgot to include them). I sometimes wear them when I go walking, but I just as often wear a skirt and a pair of flats when walking around the neighborhood.
March 24th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Ooooh, I HATE buying pants too. And shorts. I’d live in skirts and dresses if I could.
I also hate buying workout wear. What’s the point? It’s just going to get sweaty and gross.
March 24th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Jeans, or pants, are easily the most awful thing to shop for, though I’d also add shopping for bras on the list, too.
Shoes are easily my fashion weakness, esp. as I’ve gained weight. Shoes are more likely to fit than anything else. Though I do love buying fabric to make clothes, that I rarely do.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I don’t think I know very many people who enjoy shopping for pants. Although, for whatever reason, I have always found jeans easier than work pants. I think if I lived in a warmer climate, I would have fewer pants too.
I would have to say that my weakness is for purses but funnily enough, I really only have 3 or so that I use regularly for work. Oh, and cheap-o jewelry from places like H&M and Old Navy. I’m a big sucker for easy updates to my look.
For tops, asides from jackets, do you have any cardigans? Those are a nice alternative when you need a coverup that’s easy to put on and take off. Plus, they are usually smaller than a jacket so easy to put in a purse or carry, they’re usually cheaper, and come in tons of colors/patterns.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I don’t mind shopping for tops, pants, skirts etc..
But buying the RIGHT dress to fit you without being too low cut and needing a slip (I have a small chest) or jeans are the worst for me.
I only own ONE pair of jeans.
Plus I’m getting pickier about what I buy as well, which doesn’t help :P
I’m a real sucker for sweater jackets :D
March 25th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I hate shopping for stuff that’s hard to fit: pants, swim suits, bras, shoes.
My weakness is whooshy skirts. Which I never wear because I think you should wear heels (which hurt) or sandals (and one of my toenails doesn’t look so great these days) or boots (haven’t found any I’ve liked yet). But they’re so pretty!
I wear pants and shorts pretty much every day and only wear skirts for dancing and parties. So it would be helpful if I could stand to buy pants.
(I also think hats and high heels are pretty, but somehow knowing I’d never wear them keeps me from buying them.)
March 25th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Wow, thanks for the comments everyone!
It looks like I’m not alone when it comes to not liking having to buy pants, especially jeans!
Some of you have mentioned it being about finding the right fit. That’s a huge part of it for me, too. Like Ashe Mischief, I’ve had weight fluctuations, too. So, that definitely explains why I became so focused on shoes. And because I’ve had a breast reduction, that also explains why I hate shopping for blouses so much, and why so many go back — it took forever for things to settle down. And even now, I still tend to gain weight there first.
Kasmira, I hate shopping for workout wear, too. I finally found a yoga pant at Target that fit and was long enough, so I bought two. Same with the gym shorts. I dread the day that they are no longer wearable. I still haven’t bought a sports bra since about high school, and the workout top I got has been used maybe once or twice.
Shopaphilia, I have several cardigans and I do tend to pack one in my tote come summer. For some reason, though, they don’t call to me like the jackets. I have one in black, one in brown, and one in purple, but that’s it I think. And the weird thing is, it’s harder for me to find jackets that fit (in the arms specifically, though they better not hide the fact that I have a waist, either). But in this case, that might be why I get so excited when I find a jacket that fits perfectly, especially in a great color. At least they’re easier to try on than jeans.
Fabulously Broke, pickier is good. It can be frustrating, I know, but it’s a good way to save money and dress better.
Debbie M, I have one swimsuit that I bought years ago in December off of Amazon. It’s a tankini/skirt combo. Fortunately, it fit because I absolutely detest buying swimsuits. Still, it’s been worn once — as part of a Halloween costume (though I did go swimming in it at the party).
I hate buying bras, too. That’s why I’m keeping a few just in case I do gain/loose weight up top.
Debbie, have you thought about ballet flats with skirts? There are so many nice ones out there, and that’s what I normally wear. I admit, the only kind of sandal-type shoe I have is flip flops, though I don’t wear them much these days.
And get a hat — you may be surprised how often you can wear it. I wear my casual hats somewhat regularly, and my white tea hat made an appearance for Easter, as well as a few weddings last year.
March 25th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Meg, thanks for your suggestions!
If only there were ballet flats with ankle straps, that would be great. I must have a very narrow ankle or something, because if the shoes do not come all the way to my ankle or have an ankle strap, then I just walk right out of them!
There are some elasticized ballet flats that do stay on, but they look very informal, like slippers. (I think because they are slippers.) I admit that I do use a pair back-up.
I do actually have two kinds of hats. I have a couple of baseball caps that are handy for keeping the sun off when I’m running around. I tuck my hair through the hole in the back to make a ponytail which helps keep the hat from blowing off in the wind and helps keep me cool. These, sadly, are not pretty. Well, one is covered in a wildflower print, but still.
I also have a couple of Indiana Jones-type hats that I sometimes wear at parties. A big spring hat would be nice, too, for spring parties! They seem like such space hogs, though. They’d be perfect for keeping people out of your personal space!
March 25th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Hi again, Debbie!
You might have luck — I was reading earlier about how flats with ankle straps are supposed to be popular right now. I think I have rather small heels because I have a similar problem. Often, just going down a half size helps in styles that aren’t particularly toe-squishing. Otherwise, I often have to add a heel liner.
The big hats are nice for declaring personal space. I have a small tower of hat boxes in a corner of the bedroom, so that’s where I keep them. They’re all different patterns, but they’re all in pinks and corals and I think it looks surprisingly nice. I’m actually planning to add a few more boxes so that I can use them as a place to store clothes I want to rewear later in the day, counter clutter, etc.
And keep an eye out for nice casual hats that have a bit more style than a baseball cap (not that I have anything against those). I’m always trying on hats in case I find one that works — and I occasionally find one that does.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Thanks for your recommendations. I’m going to add some of your ideas to my list of things to look out for in stores.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am
I was pants obsessed for at least a year or two, until I realized that I was completely missing out on tops. And really, I don’t notice other people’s pants that much, I notice their tops and accessories, and so…. since last summer, I’ve been working on having more balance in my shopping, and, really focusing on finding cute, interesting tops.
I’m still not good at all with accessories or layering, but one thing at a time!
April 21st, 2008 at 10:58 am
Hi Karen! I finally have a good balance of tops and skirts. It’s funny how many black skirts I had (not to mention the others) compared to how few tops. I’ve stuck almost entirely with solid colors because I like to keep the emphasis around my hips more, but I’ve really enjoyed all the colors and necklines out there right now.
I’m still getting into layering, too — well, besides just putting a cardigan over everything indoors when the air is too cold. Recently, I picked up a few colored camis and I mostly just wear them under tops, letting the color show around the bottom (again, emphasizes the hips, which I like). With button-up shirts, I only button a few buttons, so plenty of the cami shows. And with some low-cut shirts, I just show the cami up top. I’ve had a lot of fun with it — even pairing the camis with some tech t-shirts I picked up at SXSW. My husband loved it when I put a turquoise cami under a gray t-shirt I got there.