You know me - I so don't do shopping as a lifestyle choice. Not that I'm averse to the acquisition of expensive objects of desire, but you know, I'm simply not that sort of girly-girl. Heck, I don't even have a blog category called "Shopping".
But needs must. You know how it is when the polyester lining of your coat just melts and you have random burn marks down the right side. Well you can survive for a while with your fleece - first it's sick leave, then running around after George Bush in remarkably mild temperatures does work up a sweat. Then you realise. It's nearly December and you so need a winter coat.
Lunchtime saw me at Army and Navy. I so very nearly bought a totally gorgeous Windsmoor coat. Admittedly, £200 of soft cashmere gorgeousness. Unbelievably, it was the Size 16 that fitted me, whereas the high street chains tell me I'm a 20. You know, it's almost worth £200 just to shrink a couple of sizes. The only think that deterred me was that it was above-knee, rather than my favoured above-ankle.
As I left I spotted an outfit to die for in Country Casuals. An sumptuous royal blue velvet jacket with exquisite embroidery over a royal blue velvet dress. The jacket was only £190; the dress £110 (the approximate dolar/euro prices are 300 and 160). I thought, you know, if I had the right Christmas function to attend, that would be exactly the outfit.
I had a quick look in Next for coats. Not that they had any. And frankly, much of their clothes looked, you know, cheap. And rather, how do I put it...high street chainish. I decided - from now on, I shall be Woman at Country Casuals. It will be my new image.
After work I nipped up to M&S. I was disappointed. Sure, their coats looked elegant on the hangers. But on me? Let's just, I'm not a clothes hanger.
I walked back to Oxford Circus. Ooh, I thought BhS. It was a little scary going in. Quite possibly the most over-decorated Chritmas store I have seen outside of the USA (incidentally I have only visited the USA in June and August...!). It was almost kitsch in its over-the-topness. Bored and contemptuous I perused the coats.
I bought a coat. I do so like being woman at BhS. It really is my image.
