I’ve said this a million times — I’m anything but typical for a girl. For instance, when it comes to shopping for clothes, I don’t circle the entire mall many times looking for all the possible options, then take my time in deciding what I’d have. When I head to a store, I pretty much know what I want and do it as quickly as possible.
If it fits, I’ll take it.
I have never been the fashionable one among my peers and I don’t always look put together, but I can’t be classified as dowdy either. Generally, I’m quite safe. For most of my twenties to early thirties, I know I couldn’t go wrong with a black shirt, denim jeans, and sneakers. But now that doesn’t seem to cut anymore.
Shopping for clothes used to be easy-breezy; these days it’s a pain. One reason why it’s not as uncomplicated as it was before is because of my change in preference. I didn’t mean that my taste now is impeccable, but I must say I’ve become quite discriminating.
I am not so much into tank tops, tight shirts, mini-skirts or short shorts anymore. Even if some people compliment me on how it doesn’t matter what I wear because I look young for my age, I started choosing classic cuts and key pieces that are casual.
I became more conscious dressing my age that I no longer try hard to dress younger by following the current trends like ripped jeans or cropped blouses. Instead, I have a newfound fondness for pencil skirts, dressy blouses and knitwear.
I avoided buying anything in the color black, pink or blue, which were my staple colors in the past. What appeals to me now are pieces in red and green because I like how it pops in pictures without it being too loud. Then again, not all shades of these colors are flattering for my skin type so finding a piece in just the right shade means I’d have to try everything on and linger in front of the fitting room mirror.
I used to love shopping at ukay-ukay (local thrift shops or Wagwagan in Ilocano). My 500 pesos used to give me like 3 pieces of clothes — some of which I wore proudly in office parties and important events. It is where one can find dirt cheap seasonal apparel like coats, jackets, and blazers for a little over a hundred pesos, which you’ll only use for a while then keep for the rest of the year. If you’re lucky enough, you can even score a branded, one-of-a-kind, vintage piece.
It’s been more than two years since I last bought anything from an ukay-ukay. My change of heart had nothing to do with the fact that buying secondhand clothing screams proletariat (which I’m still am), but more because ukay-ukay shopping isn’t as practical anymore. It’s funny how even the quality of secondhand clothes seems to have gone downhill. Most of the ones you’ll see are either loose, missing a button or faded. Sale items are usually the ones nobody else would even pay 50 pesos for.
You’ll probably get more luck if it’s a new arrival, but expect to pay higher. Some used clothes are ridiculously priced that it’s often more expensive than new clothes sold on bazaars in Greenhills or Divisoria. A branded item is also priced differently in ukay because sellers are well-aware of branding now so they put premiums on say, a Tommy Hilfiger or a Levis. Gone are the days when you can get a designer brand like Gucci for less.
But I guess the thing I hate most now with ukay-ukay is how difficult it is to haggle. They usually stick to fixed pricing no matter how many pieces you bought. This made me realize later on that settling for secondhand clothes is not worth it anymore.
Right now, it’s no longer having too many clothes (after getting rid of so many the start of the year). It’s about quality over quantity and how I’d rather invest in one or two new pieces at a time instead of hoarding secondhand garments.
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And then there are those reasons that had nothing to do with my likes or varying taste. Things that affect my shopping experience which is already beyond my control.
While I have gained weight over the years (most of it concentrated on my midsection), thankfully, I still can’t be considered overweight or plus-size. But while I’m within normal BMI, it would take me twice as long to decide on what clothes to buy.
It’s not just about the fact that a nice blouse ain’t cheap as one could cost anywhere between PhP800-1500 even at local stores like Bayo or Kamiseta; one of the biggest struggles I have when shopping for clothes is the inconsistent sizing. For some shirts and blouses, I am a size S but on some, I can be an XL. I’ve been thin and gangly for most of my life so I never had this problem before. And because I’m now on the other side of the spectrum, I didn’t realize how unfair vanity sizing was.
Some stores are very discriminating to average women that you’d think that most of the female population is waifish. It’s so frustrating when I try a shirt labeled “L” but can’t even fit in it unless I hold my breath. There were even times I could hear a faint rip as I am trying on a blouse that I had to run out of the store before salesclerks realize I damaged their item.
For whatever type of jeans — high waist, skinny, straight cut, etc., shopping for a pair of pants is even more difficult as I have long legs but with thighs the size of Texas. Some size 28 would fit me, others won’t. For some brands with size 31 is already very loose, for some it’ll be snug. This is the very reason why I rarely shop for clothes online because I really have to fit each item every time.
I don’t know about you, but trying on three items at a time and returning it back because it doesn’t look good on me, then doing it all over again is a fraught process that I no longer enjoy.
So yes, I can be considered slightly bigger on mainstream sizing but then even with the increasing number of brands offering plus-size fashion, I still don’t fall under it. Like, my body type is a freaking anomaly! I always end up being self-conscious and resenting my own body after every shopping trip when that shouldn’t be the case.
While I had less need to impress other people and more about pleasing myself by sticking to my style, it ain’t gonna be easy if my choices are limited. If retailers continue to be exclusive to what they see as the ideal and shift to smaller measurements then clothes shopping wouldn’t spark the same joy to me.
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