Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Ten for Tuesday: How to Tell You Need New Clothes

I'm going to a conference in a week and a half and I'm becoming increasingly nervous about one thing. No, it's not the big-name authors I'll be mingling with, nor is it meeting the experts whose workshops I'll be attending.

It's my wardrobe, with one question howling around in my head: what should I wear? It's a desperate state of affairs.

Just how desperate?

1. My wardrobe has shrunk down to one pair of Primark jeans and about 10 black Primark T-shirts, along with three or four summer dresses really not suitable for a conference.

2. My knickers have holes and their elastic waistbands have long since snapped. Yes, I have saggy drawers. Sexy, I know.

3. Eight of the ten black T-shirts have toothpaste stains, and my one renegade white t-shirt has a random pink stain down the side (wine?).

4. My socks are basically worn down to nothing on the bottom. No holes - but the soles are pretty much threadbare!

5. My two pairs of summer sandals - bought at M&S for £10 each two years ago - are cracked and battered looking. It feels like I'm walking on concrete whenever I wear them.

6. My one trusty black cardigan (indispensable in England, I tell you) has a massive hole under the armpit.

7. My bras... well, let's just say you really don't want to know. I will say that their stocks have not been replenished for a good three years or so.

I think I'll end on that high note! Some shopping is in order, wouldn't you agree? Wish me lots of luck, and lots of bargains -- because my pounds certainly don't stretch very far!

55 comments:

  1. And lo, a commenting person said 'get thee to Primark, lady', and the lady went, and filled her bags with wonderous cheap things (and then paid for them as otherwise that would be a Bad Thing) and the lady was very happy as none of her new things had toothpaste stains down them (yet).

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  2. Jayne - hehe - I KNOW! I need to get to Primark at Marble Arch. I have to psych myself up to brave the crowds, though.

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  3. What would man-eater Mattie Johns wear? ;)

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  4. I'd say shopping is definitely in order! I think a conference is definitely a good excuse to buy new clothes.

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  5. That sounds just like the tirade I hear from my wife whenever I walk up to her in the store and she's looking at a piece of clothing!

    To which I usually respond by saying,"All I said is that look s nice."

    :)

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  6. Your wardrobe sounds a bit like mine!! I'm refusing to buy any clothes till I've lost some weight and let me tell you....when the weight comes off I am going to shop like my life depends on it :-)

    C x

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  7. Good luck! I really hate clothes shopping. I never find what I like.

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  8. My socks ALL have a hole. Sexy, I know...

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  9. I tend to live in the same clothes all the time, too, and have to check myself before leaving the house. ;) You'll feel tons better at the conference with a few new items. Have fun with it!

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  10. First of all, I want to know how you got a picture of me sitting at my computer in my underwear?

    Truth is, I'm not a recluse, I just don't have any clothes! I'm ashamed to be seen with me!

    Pretty soon I'll be writing naked.

    One thing for sure, enjoy your conference and I've seen you in pictures, you have great taste in clothing.

    CD

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  11. This sounds like my wardrobe. I swear we are sisters!

    Well . . . get thee shopping. And don't show anyone those knickers. At your holes are in appropriate places.

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  12. Surely no-one at the conference you are going to will be interested in the state of your bra and pants, so that's one less thing to worry about!

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  13. I'm not going to a conference but I am going home and I've gained some weight so I had to buy a few things myself. Not my Talbot's days that's for sure. I hate the thought of wasting money on cheap clothes, hate the thought of looking cheap.

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  14. Get thee to Primark, indeed! New clothes are ALWAYS in order, especially when an RNA conference is coming up. Not that anyone really cares if you're wearing jeans, but, well, it's a great excuse, isn't it?

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  15. Yay for shopping! I think we need a photo fashion show! :)

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  16. THREE years...?!

    OMG.

    Shop, woman, shop!

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  17. Oh, this is such an excuse to go shopping. Now. Immediately. Do not pass go.

    I have the problem with the elastic on my knickers. Not good. LOL

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  18. Oh, this is such an excuse to go shopping. Now. Immediately. Do not pass go.

    I have the problem with the elastic on my knickers. Not good. LOL

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  19. except for the cigarette, that picture at the top looks just like me. Well, not really. I don't have a desk. hahahah!

    Yes, I think you have earned yourself some shopping!

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  20. Look for things that are interchangeable. Don't buy a shirt that will only go with one pair of pants, for example. You want pieces that can be switched around. And make sure they're comfortable. If it feels tight, don't get it, no matter how cute. It won't be cute after you sit down for two hours. It'll feel even tighter or shorter. And if you can find things in material that's wrinkle-resistant, all the better.

    Go and have fun.

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  21. Ahhh, shopping! I tend to buy a few things and wear them for a long time, like you. I feel ya on the underwear issue, though--I just recently purged some that were so old, I'm ashamed to share. :-)

    Good luck and have fun! You could fly over here to the States for 4th of July sales, but somehow that would be counter-intuitive for the checkbook, huh?

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  22. I just finished watching Gok Wan's latest show! Gosh I'd love that man to come shopping with me - or to have one of those personal shoppers who hang out in posh stores. Hope you splash out a little on some nice stuff suitable for conferencing!

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  23. Shannon is right! We need a photo fashion show :-)

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  24. I'm a terrible shopper; I haven't gone shopping for clothes for a year now. Conference is definitely a good opportunity to stock up. Good luck!

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  25. Ah primark..it's good. Next cheapet option...ebay! I have bought quite a few clothes on there recently, most have been great! Only trouble is I spend about three hours trawling through the lists until I find something I like. Might be quicker to brave the queues at Primark after all!
    Still need to replace my socks though, they are in a similar shape to yours! Hehe.
    Good luck with your shopping spree!

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  26. It amazes me that people enjoy shopping.
    I hate to shop but three years? Really? Even I go more often than that!
    What are you waiting for, Woman, MOVE!

    Mary
    Giggles and Guns

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  27. Go, have fun, enjoy and you will find the right outfits. I would give suggestions, but I'm guessing blue jeans and T shirts aren't what you need. :) Best of luck.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  28. Talli, we have primark here known as Penneys , you will have to brave the queues. I have a sister who gives me all her cast-offs, it is amazing, I have no shame. Only problem is my daughter is now our size so there is a bit of a race now to grab the best stuff.
    TK Maxx have brilliant stuff too, I got my radio awards dress in there for 25euro if you need something smarter and it was a simple black unfussy dress. Happy shopping !

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  29. Talli,
    Never know what you'll find in your local thrift store--is it Oxfam? You can find designer clothing & knock offs that are very convincing.

    But just realize that this is a business expense & save all your receipts & have fun! Maybe even go to Harrod's & see what's on sale there! :)

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  30. You can't go wrong with Peacocks and Sainsbury's! Seriously!!! If the weather holds up - there are plenty of gorgeous clothes in these shops - seriously seriously!!!!!!

    Under a tenner (oh ok maybe up to £15) minus shoes - outfit. I swear, I swear, I swear!!!!

    GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

    failing that wear that yummy velvety jacket you wore for your photo shoot...!!

    take care
    x

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  31. Ahh..you're just like me!! I am in desperate need of some new clothes too, but it's so far down the list I have to turn the page to see it :D

    Good luck!

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  32. Saggy drawers... your a nut! Good Luck with your wardrobe!

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  33. By all means, girl - go! Spend money and get nice stuff.

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  34. Sounds like you're about to have a fantabulous shopping experience! Have fun! :)

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  35. Shop away, my dear. And have fun while you're at it. De-hole your wardrobe. Swiss cheese is delicious, but not a good fashion statement. :P
    Get your wallet warmed up and ready to go!

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  36. Sounds like you should go shopping! I think neck scarves really spice an outfit up and look professional.

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  37. Sounds like you most certainly deserve some shopping! Maybe you should make a post on what one should wear to a conference... because I honestly have no idea.

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  38. It sounds like you need a trip to H & M! Have fun getting ready for your conference!

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  39. You've got a Whole Latte Shopping to do :)

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  40. What are you waiting for?! Shop! You deserve it! And then tell us all about your new clothes.

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  41. I feel your pain-- for daily wear, I hang onto the same stuff and try to keep it neat. I must confess to a love of shoes and replace them regularly. Dresses, work clothes etc? Not so much. I pretty much had to go through a mini what not to wear experience with a friend who works and knows how to shop before last year's RWA conference. I stick to basic colors and keep it simple for that type of stuff.

    Good luck and happy shopping!

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  42. What about that gorgeous jacket that you were wearing in those photographs?

    Wish I could send you some of my clothes- I am convinced I have too many of them. But of course when I need to go somewhere special, I never seem to know what to wear.

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  43. Funny for a post, but now so funny when you're trying to get ready for a conference. The worst thing is shopping, buying, laundering, and then finding your new drawers shrunk in the dryer. We'll hope that doesn't happen. :)

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  44. Weeee, shopping time!!!!
    Change the whole closet, new clothes asap! Weeee, closet make over!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!

    Yes, I like shopping. A. lot. lol

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  45. Enjoy your shopping expedition and be sure to post up a photo of yourself all dressed up and ready to go. I'm thinking slinky dress with leggings. I bet there'll be as many fashion styles as people at the conference. That's what's so good about dressing up these days. Anything goes... except for holes in knickers but then who's looking anyway!!

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  46. Award for you today at my blog, Talli.

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  47. Sounds like my wardrobe, except my Primark t-shirts are of various colours so my Day Job Colleagues will not think I wear the same t-shirt every day, and they tend to have chocolate rather than toothpaste stains :)

    Note to self - go to Primark. . .

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  48. *snicker* Sounds like you normally worry about clothes about as much as I do. I figure for conferences you want business casual... black or gray slacks, a skirt you can wear with a couple different tops... those are things you can wear more than once and last for years... then mix it up with the tops. Hopefully nobody will be seeing your knickers...

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  49. When it comes to going to conferences, I've been feeling the same way. Plus, I'm no good at picking the right clothes even when I do go shopping. I used to think personal shoppers were weird, but now?
    Good luck! May you find classy bargains galore. :)

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  50. LOL - I can REALLY relate to a few of these. Maybe we should go shopping ...

    There's an award for you Under the Tiki Hut.

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  51. I wouldn't know what to wear either, but thankfully, my mother is an expert on this stuff! :]

    Great luck on bargain hunting! Before long I'll need to do the same...

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  52. Hi Talli, stop by my blog when you get a minute, there's an award waiting for you1

    Happy Canada Day, celebrate!

    ~Olivia

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  53. Giggling...with empathy. I am so overdue on the bra/panties shopping...I swear I still have some from the '90s. You'll look maahhvelous, daahhling--good luck at the conference and belated happy Canada Day!

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Coffee and wine for all!