“Shopping Is Fun Again”

October 24, 2005 by MrRi¢h.

Today was one of those rare times when I went shopping for something other then what would fall into the category of entertainment. Not only did I go clothes shopping, (rare in itself) I actually found clothes that fit and bought them. Here’s the thing. I’m 5′7 (and a 1/2) when I don’t slouch. I’d describe myself as a “big dude” who has broad shoulders. When I was six years old, the rec league wanted me to be a quarter back for the kiddie football team. It also runs in the family. The broad shoulders, not playing kiddie league football.

So when I want or need “nice clothes” I usually shop at places like The Mens Wearhouse. Never giving a lot of thought to any franchise clothing store. Even though most places are preparing for winter, I’m still considering my er Fall line which will be great for Spring and maybe summer. Sure, if summer is spent inside an air conditioned environment. Being the GQ…no, Esquire kind of guy I am, I’ve been wanting to buy these casual, long sleeve sport kind of shirts.

After not finding these types of shirts that fit at Kohls last week, I remembered yesterday thanks to Rachel showing me some on-line one night that Old Navy sells them. Great, another store to check out. Usually when I know what I’m looking for, I’ll use the store’s website to make shopping easier. Or as an option in case the store doesn’t have the item in stock. Yesterday I go to oldnavy.com and it tells me the website is closed. WT Freak? I never heard of a website as being closed. I knew it’d be back. I checked back today before leaving to shop and the website reads something like how its not Mac compatible. If you’re a Mac owner, you understand how this makes me feel. I don’t hate Microsoft and I could care less if people think a “PC” is better then Macs. This is a debate and a rant that can go on. It might come up sometime, not in this post. I went shopping and felt good about my purchases.

Leaving Old Navy’s site behind to barely work even on an old outdated, no longer updated version of IE (what exactly are we exploring?) I went out to spend a nice afternoon with my mom. My mom and I are pretty close. Its not uncommon for us to go out, even if its just to run errands. Also in this case, I needed her to go with me because of my health. Another subject for another post. Coming sooner then we’d like.

We went to this shopping center (way better then yesterday’s Wizard Of Oz analogy) on this highway. Which was also near a few other stores we wanted to go. Once we were in Old Navy, it was almost the same old with these stores. I knew a “vintage” shirt wouldn’t fit, I was still hopeful. Thankfully a “regular” one did. It fit well and felt good to wear too. I was feeling pretty good. I ended up getting 2 of those. I would have liked to have gotten more, however the choice of colors in my size wasn’t the best. Think if someone tripped while applying paints. You can get away with that when you’re Picasso, not Old Navy.

I also needed jeans. I had bought 2 pairs last week at Kohls, unfortunately the “styles” of jeans didn’t fit. I’m not one to really try on clothes with the mentality that any item in my size should fit. That was the case last week. Now those need to be returned. I picked out 4 different styles of jeans and tried them on. I know you’re really interested in how well those fit around my bod, however I need to comment on the dressing rooms.

Sure “high end” snooty stores at the mall might have dressing rooms strategically placed where you need to have an employee unlock it. Then ask you if everything is ok like you’re in a bathroom for too long. Or kiss your butt by telling you how good you look when you know there clothes don’t fit right and are over priced anyway. Now Old Navy, it just seems they added dressing rooms as an after thought. By sticking what may as well be a unisex bathroom in the corner, at the back of the store. In order to try on clothes, you have to walk into the girls section of the store. I wasn’t uncomfortable and I’m not “sick in the mind,” doesn’t anyone else feel Old Navy made an error in judgement? Maybe they just thought more about parents and kids. To a 27 year old guy who wants to try on jeans and shirts, it doesn’t feel right.

If it matters at this point the jeans fit or were kinda baggy even though they all fit. I picked the “best” two.

Also of note, I’m normally a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy. Sometimes I gotta be “fancy” and for Fall 2005 I’m off to a decent start.

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