I’m a terrible clothes shopper and hate to go to malls. Set me in a women’s clothing store with an assignment to find a new outfit, and I’d rather flee the country.
Maybe that’s why my closet is full of outdated items, most of which are older than a decade. Modernizing is just too complicated, not to mention time consuming, expensive, and sometimes humiliating. My failure rate is high.
As I see it, there are 9 clothes-shopping stresses:
Giving up several hours of precious time.- Finding a store with clothes designed for 60-somethings.
- Getting acquainted with a store’s layout and inventory.
- Pawing through endless racks of clothes.
- Choosing a variety of items to try on, hoping they’ll morph into a cute outfit.
- Squaring off with a full length mirror in a harshly lit dressing room.
- Creating 3 piles of clothes in that small space: (A) Possibles; (B) Rejects; (C) Needing other sizes or colors.
- Re-finding the racks of other sizes and colors.
- Repeating 1 – 8.
Even after all that, the whole convoluted process may be fruitless, requiring a 1-9 do-over on a later date. It’s a mystery to me how so many women find this process enjoyable.
Today I found myself in yet another massive mall making a third attempt to find a business-casual outfit that I’ve needed for some time. I put it off as long as possible, not wanting to spoil an otherwise good day. Friends suggested I try a place named Chico’s.
When I stepped into the store, a little flame of hope flickered. A dozen other women my age were working the racks, chatting over great sale prices. Maybe this would be my one-stop-shop.
Our lives are full of things we don’t especially want to do, not necessarily dramatic ordeals but just everyday tasks. We know that if we want to act like responsible adults, we must tend to them. Shopping for clothes is only one of hundreds, and though we might tackle these jobs in fits and starts, for the most part they get done.
But what about spiritual tasks?
Are we excited to push other things out of the way to make room for them? Or do we look at things like prayer and Bible reading as duties we “must tend to?” Do we approach them with eager expectation, or do we see them as non-obligatory chores?
Today I left Chico’s with a bag of goodies, but that’s not usually the case after my shopping excursions. More often than not, I finish empty-handed.
When I go “shopping” for more of God, however, I’m always successful, 100% of the time.
“Acknowledge God…. and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)
Loved your blog today! I can so identify with your problem . Chico’s has been a great help to me. Matter of fact i need to make a visit this week to try and find something to wear. Glad you found them.
Thanks for the shopping trip. I’ve never tried that store. Will have to see what they have. : )
It is a mystery to me as well! I also dislike shopping and have discovered Chicos.
Thank you for your blog! It has been so helpful to me as I am “getting through this” the last six months since my husband died of cancer.
I love Chico’s and my closet is full of their clothing! The nice thing is to get on their email so that you know when they have the 50% and 40% off days. The ladies in the store will give you a call as well when they are having special sales. I shop then and it will help on the budget. I have found if you take real good care of the clothes you buy there they last a long time! Glad you enjoyed your shopping experience and I agree once we are “over the hill” it is harder to find “our stores”! I think you have found a good place.
I am going to locate a Chico’s right this minute. I don’t even like all those layers and styles of the younger people. But, I really don’t want to look drabby, either. Thanks, Margaret, for reminding me that the Lord is in every detail of my Life! Hugs.
Thank you so much for your blog! A friend gave me your book, “Hope For An Aching Heart” after my husband suddenly passed away. It has been such a blessing – thanks!
I discovered Chico’s about 3 years before my husband passed away. I do not drive and he did not like shopping in department stores. We found a Chico’s in Knoxville and developed a “friendship” with one particular associate there. He was so content to sit and wait on me and “help” pick out my clothes. I could not stay in Knoxville after he passed away and have moved to a smaller town without a “Chico’s’, but our “friend” is now the store manager in Knoxville. I shop the web site and call her – she is so kind to help me select things she knows I will like and will fit (and what my husband liked) and sends them to me! She also makes sure I receive all the coupons and discounts. She is not only a good “sales person”, but a dear friend! I call her my “Chico’s Angel”!! Would recommend Chico’s to anyone. By the way I am a 68 year old “grandma”.
So glad you discovered ‘Chico’s’, Margaret. their styles is so classic, yet so ‘updated’! Other good stores for senior women are: Pennington’s (not everywhere, usually at ‘outlet malls’.
BonWorth…..for the more conservative, active lady…..but nice clothes. Coldwater Creek, sorta on the same line as Chico’s, not quite as much ‘pizazz’, so to speak, a bit more moderate.
Some of the ‘high end’ consignment shops will have a lot of designer things, if you ever shop them…..clothes are in excellent condition (some even will have tags still on – never worn ), and much less expensive than in retail shops. Easy on the budet!