Monday, 04.22.2002.
Bad case of buyer's remorse -- again. I went crazy this weekend. I literally shopped 'til I dropped. I was at the mall 4 out of 4 days from Friday thru Monday. The sales associates at Ann Taylor knew me by name already. As I mentioned in a previous post, I had purchased a complete suit: $130 trousers, $80 blouse, $200 jacket on Friday. On Sunday, I returned the jacket and bought 3 skirts and 3 blouses. Today, I went back to return the pants (they're a little too long and can't really be altered) and I was going to exchange the blouse for a larger size (the fluted quarter-sleeves were binding on my forearms) -- but I ended up returning both items. Even the larger sized blouse didn't fit quite right. Heck, if I'm going to drop $80 for a blouse, it better fit perfectly. 

Poor Hubby, he accompanied me to the mall again but refused to enter the store, for fear of what the sales associates might think about my frequent visits and my wishy-washy buy-return-buy-return habits. Of course, the sales associates were more than happy to take the items back and even were nice about it (although they're probably taking bets right now to see if I'll come back again tomorrow to return my other purchases). 

The mantra of the evening was "I'm being practical!" I must've said it at least half a dozen times, trying to rationalize my returns, although Hubby tried his darnedest to get me to keep them. I never thought I'd hear him say this, but as surely as I am typing this, these words fell from his lips, "This isn't the time to be practical!" 

Where is Hubby? I think he must have been abducted by aliens because Hubby is Mr. Practicality. Surely these words would not have parted from his lips under normal circumstances. But seriously, I know that Hubby just wants the best for me, which is why he was encouraging me to "splurge" a little and keep the outfit. The more I thought about it, the less I felt like I needed it. It truly was a nice-to-have and it was one of the few outfits that actually looked great on me. (The style was very slimming and actually made me look taller! I guess sometimes money can pay for miracles of this sort.) Although, like I said, the pants were just a smidge too long for my liking and the blouse binds a little -- but no one else could tell, except for me. Like Joyce said this weekend, by the time I get the shoes, purse, and all the accessories, I'll be walking around in a $1000 outfit. Sure, we could've afforded it and it -- we weren't going outside of our means, but still, it just didn't seem... practical.

Besides, I'm more than satisfied with my 6 articles of clothing for half the price of the suit. Not only is it more for my money, but I believe that I'll get more mileage out of these outfits than the suit would have gotten anyway.

I'd have an easier time spending the money (and then some) on a new digital camera or perhaps a second computer. Or another hard drive for my existing computer. Gadgets, electronics and technology gain the attention of my pocketbook far easier than clothes, jewelry and make-up. I guess that's why it's so easy for me to be "one of the boys" at work. But anyway...

I know I will pick up that suit again sometime in the future -- the next time to keep. But when that day comes, it will be because there is a reason and a need to have it: to do a presentation, to meet with an important client, or to close a business deal. I believe that day is coming. But until then, I am more than satisfied with the slightly more casual (and more comfortable) attire in my closet.

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