A Day With the Masses

This morning I got my hair cut and then returned home to drag DH to the mall to keep me company. Everyone in the entire Tampa Bay area must've been at this mall today because OMG it was crowded. Of course, I can't remember the last time I went to the mall on a Saturday on purpose so maybe this is normal.

Today's haul:
3 bras
2 pairs of shoes (still thinking about them)
2 purses
1 wrap dress
1 linen tulip skirt
1 resolution to stick to Zappos
1 wish I could sew faster

I started off trying on bras and either I'm starting with the hot flashes or the A/C was turned off in the dressing rooms. I gave up in the middle because I just couldn't deal with trying to wrangle the girls into a multitude of bras while the sweat was starting to roll down my face. Ugh. It was Buy 2 Get 1 Free day in the bra department, so I guessed my best with the same brand I'm wearing now and I'll try them on again later tonight. And, of course, my pretty new styled haircut drooped big time after that fiasco. :-(

Next, it was a look through the dresses at JCP. (I'm kicking myself because I forgot to look for that jacket I still want to make.) Everything was on SALE! and it was a disaster zone, but I managed to find 3 dresses and a similar jacket to try on to at least see how the styles looked on me. I ended up buying the wrap (top only) dress, which I'll have to hem. I liked the jacket but the color was meh so I left it. A quick look through the shoe department and the two pairs that I liked were not available in my size.

Then we left Penneys and wandered through the mall where every store is basically the same and aimed for teens and 20-somethings, so I didn't waste my time in any of them. I did go into Lane Bryant (plus size store for non-US readers) and it was horrible. Absolutely nothing for career wear, nothing in colors I like, and nothing that didn't feel like it would fall apart in a month. I was in and out in 5 minutes. LB just does not sell clothing that is flattering to plus size women. I never find anything in there that I like, so I'm not sure why I keep going in.

After that it was Macy's. More of the same and meager plus size selections. It seemed like everything was black, or red. I don't wear black. Or red. No shoes that I even wanted to try on. They were all strappy, too high a heel, or athletic wear.

More wandering. A trip to the restroom, and then onto Dillard's. Dillard's is my favorite store in the mall. The saleswomen are always nice, helpful, and not *too* in your face, IYKWIM, and the "women's" department has a good selection of clothes for my age group. (Question: Why are plus-sized females "women" and others are "ladies"??) If you knew how much I complain about stores and lack of service in general, you'd understand that when I say Dillard's is good, it must be EXTREMELY good. ;-)

I found a great Kaspar skirt that will become a staple. It's a khaki colored linen trumpet skirt, with a contoured waistband, side zip, side tabs, and pockets. And it fits perfectly. I always find something at Dillard's. I also found 2 purses and 2 pairs of shoes, both on sale. I hate changing purses so to find two that could be actual contenders was a real accomplishment. LOL! I also tried on a pretty green jacket which technically fit, but the bust darts pointed about 1.5 inches below my actual bust, and this was while wearing one of my OLD bras! I can't imagine whose boobs this jacket designed for?? The shoulders fit very well, though, which is usually a problem area for me with RTW. But I'd never be able to see past those darts so it stayed behind.

Then it was out the door and back home. I'll take pics of my loot later, after I've recovered. All in all, it wasn't too painful. But I like my own things better, and I forgot to get pantyhose.