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Sharing the information that can make YOUR life better, faster, easier, more
Extraordinary!
Who are you wearing? A First Time Designer Jean Experience.
by: Debbie Lutz
So I've never really owned anything that you would consider "designer". I mean I've got some great shoes and other labeled clothing items (Banana Republic, Guess, Steve Madden, and Victoria's Secret), and I DO have some Dior makeup - got that for free (No I didn't steal it, it was gratis from a previous job)! In other words, I've never dropped a ridiculous sum of money on any material items in my wardrobe closet. (Other people though, have dropped a good sum of money on the things in my closet - especially my shoes!! LOL) Don't get me wrong, I mean I was raised in a middle-class household where my mother did enjoy her fine jewelry, well-pressed business suits, custom-made red sofa (that she HAD to have!), and other seemingly "extravagant" purchases for a single working mother. However, we (as in my brother and I) were taught to enjoy the finer things in life, but in moderation. A good lesson I suppose.
Fast forward to the day I arrive in San Francisco , CA with a new lease on life and apparently a burning hole in my pocket! I was visiting my cousin who informed me she would be working for the day and if I wanted to, I could go check out the boutique shops around the corner from her apartment on Chestnut Street (I presume a popular area in San Fran?). Sure, sounds like a great way to spend my time while waiting for her - window shopping, taking in the sights and sounds of the city...sounds relaxing! Perfect!
I pop in to a number of stores. I'm politely browsing after checking price tags and having my wallet actually leap out of my purse and run for the hills. Then I come across a jean store - a designer jeans store - 7 for all Mankind, Citizens. Looks decent, let's check it out. I was simply just amusing myself and scoped out the sizes and "pretended" to be interested in buying. All the sizes are in waist sizes (as in 26, 27, 28, etc - of which I have no clue what I wear!). And just as a side note: The reason us NORMAL people have such complexes is because the "waist" size does not actually sit at your waist! Hello! It sits at your hip, so while your actual waist might really be a 25, you are buying 3 to 5 sizes up because it's your hips where the jeans really sit!!
Okay, I feel better. Anyway, the very lovely sales girl approaches me and asks if I need help...okay, I go with it. Salesgirl: "What size do you need?" (As if I'm a frequent designer jeans shopper) My reply: "I have no idea - Would it help if I gave you my size from Banana Republic?" (She didn't even cringe or give me a nasty look! Woohoo!) Salesgirl: "Okay, well how about you start with this one and let me know if I can get you a different size or fit."
Okay, so I try on 7 for all Mankind jeans...OH! EM! GEE!! These things are incredible!! They are so soft - I can't believe these things even fall into the "jean" category. You are talking to a girl who didn't even own her first pair of jeans until fifth grade - it was sweatpants and stirrup pants all the way baby! These are AMAZING!! So I pop out of the dressing room to check all angles in a mirror in the hallway. Of course the salesgirl said all the right things, "Oh they look amazing on you!" "They fit you so well!", "They are a little long, but you can get them hemmed.", "Here try the petite style." Oh gosh, okay, lemme try 'em!
While still a bit long, they did fit like a glove on my hard-to-fit tushy. A few other customers in the store also commented on how great they are..."They last forever!" "They will stretch" (Response to my "Maybe I should go up a size since well, I'm not getting any younger or skinnier" question), "Make sure you wash them inside out and hang to dry (or dry clean she suggest - yeah right!)." Oh right, let's check the price - $148 bucks a piece. Whoa! I think my heart just skipped a beat.
The salesgirl was so sweet and endearing the whole time, and she really did know what she was talking about with the fits and all. She never once made me feel stupid for having never shopped for or purchased designer jeans before. She wasn't even fake about it - and I know YOU know what I mean about FAKE salespeople! She was so attentive and helpful during my entire experience. I did also try on the Citizens jeans, but they fit very differently and I didn't like them - besides, I was in love!
So to the register I go with not one, but two pairs of 7 for all Mankind jeans: the petite ones she suggested for me and the most amazingly soft black-wash jeans I initially picked out. I was actually wanting to buy a pair of black jeans though I hadn't planned on spending $148 dollars on them. As we chit-chatted, she rung me up. I did my best not to gasp when she said "Your total is 401 dollars" (You read that right, now pick your jaw up off the keyboard.) I was calm, heck, I do this designer stuff all the time (HA!). "Enjoy your trip!" she said, and I was out the door feeling great - Wow! Lil' Ol' me owns not one, but TWO pairs of designer jeans! About one block later, the buyer's remorse set in: did I just spend $400 dollars on 2....get that, TWO pairs of jeans?! Am I nuts?!?! I could replenish my entire wardrobe at Old Navy for that much!
Well my friends and bargain shoppers, I kept them. And honestly, I do have to admit, they are really great jeans - amazingly comfortable and the fit is just perfect. The price still gets me from time-to-time, but then I remind myself I work in New York City and I couldn't make it from the subway to the office on any given day without passing a Louis Vuitton bag, Channel sunglasses, Prada boots, and the likes, and then I think to myself...I splurged once - just once! The credit card will get paid off and the bank account will recover. Besides I was on vacation!
Debbie Lutz is a fabulous contributor to ExtraordinaryMommy. Her 'regular' jobs have varied from quality time at DisneyWorld (yes...she was a bona fide Minnie Mouse) to her current position with Big Honcho Media. Her current commute into New York City gives her time to do some extra writing and we're grateful for it. No matter how busy she is, Debbie always finds time for the favorite kids in her life...including niece, Delaney.
