Do you like clothing shopping? I wouldn’t call myself a shopaholic, but I do enjoy it. Mr. Handsome, on the other hand, does not. When he needs a certain article of clothing, I’ll often pick up several options, bring them home for him to try on, and return the ones that don’t work.His sizes are by no means average, which can be both a challenge and a blessing. On the one hand, I usually have to search long and hard to find items that are his size, which can be time consuming. On the other hand, most stores only have one or two of each article that fit him, so choosing between them is not a difficult ordeal.
That is especially true with shoes. Most stores only have a few pairs of shoes in his size (usually a pair of sneakers, dress shoes, and sandals), so as long as you can locate them, getting in and out is easy.
Shopping for myself is a whole different ballgame. At least Mr. Handsome has a set size. I, on the other hand, usually have to try on a few different sizes, and it’s not common for none of them to fit well. That’s why I enjoy thrift and consignment shops. There are usually a ton of options, and it’s fun to thumb through them.
What are your thoughts on shopping for clothes?
Shela G
I do truly enjoy shopping but I am by no means a shopaholic months can go by without shopping for anything but food and household supplies. When I do go shopping I have to try everything on because I am very hard to fit but it is fun looking for just the right things. Something I look forward to every year is going Birthday shopping with with my awesome mother in law. We have lunch and then hit the stores and shop until we drop. We have made some great memories together on those outings.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Sounds like fun! Glad you're able to enjoy time with your mother-in-law. It makes my heart hurt when I see folks who don't have a good relationship with their in-laws.
Ellie
Regina
My dresses are homemade so I don't much shopping but it's fabric and yarn that always call me!
Anonymous
I love fabric stores!
Anonymous
Iโm only 5โ 1โโ, so shopping can be very challenging for me!
Anonymous
We are not shopaholics, but we do enjoy shopping. I enjoy clothing shopping for myself, My husband enjoys clothing shopping for himself. We don't clothes shop for each other or anyone else. I like shopping at thrift stores my husband does not. He will buy clothes on sale or on clearance racks…Jane
Anonymous
Because I do not earn a lot of money, I like to try to gain control of how I spend it. That is really hard for me. Coffee and sweets out is a big weakness; one that I really need to put into it's place. Never the less, I prefer to get cotton tops brand new. So I find them on sale. Usually I pay 2 to 4 $ per top. That is less than a coffee and sweet! Thank you for getting me to think about my actions Ellie!
Anonymous
Or you can think of the coffee break as a necessary rest stop.Then a few dollars is not too much to pay for the convenience!
Anonymous
I'd fill a thermos with coffee from home, grab a granola bar, and go hang out at a park (for free) instead. Same "down time" feel but not the same cost as a coffee shop.
Anonymous
I do most of the shopping. Not because I enjoy it, but because my husband REALLY doesnโt like it. He gets all grumpy and impatient. But he is a tall man, with long legs, so he has to buy his pants himself because he has to try them on. Being a working mom, I donโt have time to shop, bring it home for him to try, and return what does not fit to the store. I take care of the shirts, underwear, socks, etc… He buy his pants and shoes. He works outside a lot so he needs his shoes to be a perfect fit.
Josรฉe
Anonymous
I hate clothes shopping. I have to have Petites, which are very hard to find second-hand, so I don't bother trying any more. Even when I do find something in a department store that's Petite, there will usually be some part of it that needs to be altered. I don't know anyone who has a "perfect" body that these clothes are modeled on. When I do find something that fits, I'll buy a lifetime supply. I have at least a dozen pairs of the same pants (in 3 different colors) because they fit well, are comfy, and I wear them all the time.
Sizes are always so random for women. I have clothes from 20 years ago that are XS or S or M. They fit the same way that today's L or XL clothes fit! They're really cutting corners with how much room they put in clothes these days. I don't like skin tight, so I have to go up to the larger sizes to get something that used to be a normal fit.
Men have it easier. They shop by neck size, arm length, waist, and inseam. Most stuff fits off the rack, if those measurements are true. And shoes? Men can find the same dress shoes today that were being sold 50 years ago. Women's things change constantly! Just when you get hooked on something (an underwear make, a lipstick shade, comfy shoes, etc.) they discontinue it! Grrrrrrr!!
AmyRyb
I generally don't like shopping, but I can't pass up a good deal! I have to be in the right mood to look through thrift stores, but I did especially well when pregnant and still find like-new stuff from time to time. My weakness is $10 off $10 coupons from JCPenney or the great rewards from Kohl's. I'll usually make a special trip if I have a 30% off coupon at Kohl's, scour the clearance racks, and aim to get things for no more than $7 each on average. I've built a nice work wardrobe that way. After a few trips like that, eventually I get $5 in rewards so I always go back and find another good deal. Recently I had $13 from my rewards anniversary, plus 30% off, which I ended up using on a new vacuum. That gave me $20 in Kohl's cash, which I spent on a new pillow. Then I ended up with $10 in rewards from all of that, that I still need to spend. I like having a big wardrobe so at least I'm doing it as cheaply as possible!
Anonymous
The struggle is real for us too. How tall is Mr.Handsome? I find great deals shopping for tall and slim fit clothing online at old navy. My hubby is too tall for retail stores.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
He's about 6'4". How tall is your husband?
Ellie
Anonymous
Heโs 6โ5. Definitely check out old navy tall slim fit. My husband is fine with short sleeve regular shirts but needs the tall size for anything long sleeve. This has been a great fit and affordable with their frequent sales. I thrift shop for myself but have no luck for him.
Flying is definitely a challenge too ha ha
Love your blog
Elizabeth
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thanks for the tip, Elizabeth! Finding slim fit shirts with long arms can be a real challenge. And yes, flying is hard for Mr. Handsome, too. After our most recent trip, the poor thing was in pain. Does your husband have to fly often? I am grateful that Mr. Handsome does not.
Ellie
Laura Shugart
I am tall and quite small so pants and shorts and dresses can be tricky… For Canada day last year the forecast predicted rain and so I wanted to wear dark shorts not the ones I had which were white and went to the salvation army here in Ottawa Ontario and was floored by the selection and quality. I got a couple of pairs and it was great as you mentioned Ellie. They have all the colours and sizes together and so much choice for fit!
For dressy things I love consignment stores. I have found dresses that would have been 500 for 50. They are great quality and I hit the stores close to the most affluent areas as the clothes often still have original tags! I have found cheep clothing literally falls apart and that really kinda bothers me.
Even though you are paying for the name with these things, high end clothing is often better quality. It is more intentionally made.
Anonymous
I don't like clothes shopping too much. Only when necessary. Rather go antiquing.
Anonymous
We do like to shop,but mostly on line. We do not like the crowds in the stores. We are at a point in our lives that we do not need too much clothes. There is nothing like browsing in a bookstore. Unfortunately,there are not many bookstores left,so we order our books mainly on line.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Anonymous
If you don't mind used books, then you might want to try the library book sales.
Anonymous
(…if it is OK too say a name) Chapters Indigo in Canada has a large online book selection. I imagine that is mostly the case online. Personally I am captured by online video. It takes a lot of calm til I switch gears and get into reading again.
Anonymous
Ellie – have you heard lately from the lady from Canada whose name I think starts with maybe a โJโ?
She was expecting a baby and I have not seen her comments in a while- I am not sure if she always commented on this blog or the Duggars
Just thinking about her- hopefully all is well with baby!!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
I do remember that, but I don't think I've heard anything. Do you happen to remember what post it was on or the approximate timing?
Ellie
Anonymous
No I do not
Wish I could remember- seems like I used to remember things so much easier but life is too busy now / seems like it was just a few months ago but it could have been half a year already.
I prayed for her- maybe the Lord was just putting her on my heart
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That's very kind of you for think of and pray for her. Thankfully the Lord knows who you're talking about, even if you can't remember her name. ๐
Ellie
Anonymous
I love shopping at places like Ross, Marshalls or TjMaxx
Anonymous
I don't at all enjoy shopping for clothes I do enjoy "window"shopping, and I love thrift stores!๐