Shoes, (Clothes) Shopping and Me Don't Mix
I am incapable of shopping for shoes and clothes. Both activities fill me with dread.
This post by
prompted me to share my thoughts on my own footwear and wardrobe.
I’ve Got Nothing to Wear
Whenever I say I have nothing to wear, I mean it! My wardrobe is a quarter the size of my husband’s. I own three pairs of jeans (farm wear), one pair of good bootcut jeans, a pair of black trousers, four nice tops, five t-shirts (farm clothes, originally my husband’s), a long navy blue cardigan, three hoodies for the farm. I don’t own any skirts or dresses.
I have two pairs of wellies - a Winter pair (neoprene) that I tend to wear all year round, plus a Summer pair (not very comfy).
My boot collection includes a very muddy (and other farm-related substances) pair of black walking boots.
Last year, in the absence of other footwear, I purchased a pair of blue, lined lace up boots.
There’s a pair of blue trainers - bought for trade shows when we’re on our feet all day.
A pair of crocs - I slip these on when I’m going to the farm and then change into my wellies. They’re covered in paint as I’ve been wearing them for a painting project.
Finally, a pair of Summer walking sandals.
In the absence of any suitable footwear for some recent filming, I bought a pair of black trouser shoes. They have a heel. I can barely walk in them!
I Loathe Clothes Shopping
I put off clothes - and shoe - shopping for as long as I can and then it’s on a needs must basis.
There are very few clothes shops where we live. I’d never contemplate driving into the nearest city to buy clothes when we have a perfectly good farmers’ merchant that sells outdoor clothes, and a small boutique in our town where, every 12-18 months, the owner picks out clothes for me to try on. If something fits and looks passable, I buy it. Bag in hand, I escape, knowing I’ve ticked the box and reward my efforts with a latte in a favourite café.
I once went into another clothes shop in town and had a Pretty Woman moment. The first part, not the second!
I’ve never been able to look at clothes hanging on a rail and envisage what they would look like on me. When I needed workwear, I bought suits from Next, usually with the help of a friendly assistant. If I found something I liked, I’d buy multiple versions.
Shoes Are The Worst!
Shoes are something of a nightmare. I have wide feet. Summer sandals have been a no no for years. I remember once trying to buy sandals for work. The experience was more Ugly Sister than Cinderella. Nothing would fit and nearly everything I tried was too narrow. I don’t bother looking any more. That year I wore ankle boots all Summer. Now, I manage with walking sandals.
Apart from my black boots, all my shoes are from our local shoe shop. They’re very good - I describe what I’m looking for. They bring suggestions. If the shoes fit, look half decent and are comfortable, I buy them.
I don’t understand the fascination for shopping but I can buy stationery, tech, camera equipment, fountain pens, books and domain names so much more easily than clothes.
Practicality
I often think about Marie Curie’s practical approach to the purchase of her wedding dress.
I have no dress except the one I wear every day. If you are going to be kind enough to give me one, please let it be practical and dark so that I can put it on afterwards to go to the laboratory.
A night out round here doesn’t involve dressing up. Smart casual farmers’ wear is the style. Not stuff you would wear driving a tractor or delivering lambs, but boots, gilets, and checked shirts.
It suits me down to the ground. My personal aesthetic is rural country chic. The best bit - later, when something has seen better days, it can double up as farm wear!