Successfully completed the week without purchasing clothes. In this time, I’ve been shopping at the Mall of America and browsed online. It’s been really tempting to buy things, especially online at stores where I have store credit.
To be honest, I’ve received one clothing package that I purchased before starting this package. As I eagerly opened it, the four dresses that I had purchased looked back at me. The first, an off-the-shoulder floral ruffled number (that I had eagerly hoped to wear to a cousins wedding next month) was straight up trashy. The fabric was thin, the fit was sad. I tore it off and threw it on the bed. Then, I picked up the marimekko cotton dress, about to be the staple of my summer. WAIT—it was actually a beach cover up. Cute, but totally unnecessary for my lifestyle. Then, came two navy dresses that I hoped could work as a bridesmaid dress. I pulled on the bell-sleeved Ann Taylor dress and looked with excitement in the mirror. The pockets that I was so thrilled about did nothing for my hips and the material was thick and scratchy, not ideal for a early-september wedding. Three disappointments staring back at me. I turned to the final dress, a simple tulip cocktail dress. I pulled it on and it fit perfectly, nipping my waist and disguising my soft belly. I wore a normal bra!
Was I thrilled, dear reader?
My mind was totally distracted by the three other dresses, the dresses that I had so much hope for that now had to be returned. How I had nothing cute and flirty to wear to the wedding, that my easy dress for the summer would never be, and that I wouldn’t be wearing a fashionable, modern silhouette as a bridesmaid.
Fueled by my disappointments, I immediately jumped online to start browsing for alternatives. A few days later, I can look at the situation newly aware of a trigger cycle. Disappointment, the unrealized ideal outfit, triggers me to shop in pursuit of this ideal. The truth is, I have suitable alternatives for each of these situations. I have numerous summer, wedding-guest dresses. I have plenty of summer sundresses. And, now, I have a perfectly fitting, tulip cocktail dress to wear as a bridesmaid.
