Do you ever have those days where you're shopping and shopping and no matter how hard you look you just can't find anything at all?
Well, for me, today was one of those days. I was shopping for a graduation dress. I specifically tried not to think about it too much before I went shopping as it's so unbelievably frustrating when you have a pre-conceived idea about what you want and you can't find it..
..OK I'm lying just a little bit.. I knew I wanted a bold colour but that's all!
..Alright I lied again, I wanted an orangey/red, chiffon dress that was feminine with a hint of edge, short but not too short! That's not too specific is it?!! alright maybe it is! but if any other great styles were to suface, I would have gone for it.. I was very open, I swear!!!
I began my journey at an outlet shopping centre and I had really high hopes, great brands at a reduced prices, sure it'll mostly be last season stock but that doesn't bother me, I'll still rock it!
After going into every shop that didn't make me physically gag from the outside, I gave up. I'd been ignored by every sales assistant and witnessed their bitchy conversations about their fellow co-workers lack of work ethic and I was pissed off!
It can get very lonely, shopping by yourself, retailers note; this is your chance to bring home the sales!! capitalise on these lone shoppers, they are vulnerable, they need people to confirm that they are making the right decisions and guess what.. you are that person!
After a massive coffee and change of location, to a shopping centre where I was guaranteed to be spoilt for choice, I felt no better.. I went to all the key stores;
David Jones - nothing
Myer - nope
Forever New - no way
Review - eek
Witchery - nah
French Connection - wimper
Then all of a sudden, an epiphony.. Sportsgirl!! I hadn't been to sportsgirl yet! One of my fave aussie stores and I had forgotten all about it! For a split second I forgot that I had serious fashion-depression and practically ran there. The sportsgirl signiture, coloured stripes sang and welcomed me in as if I were a damzel and they were my prince charming, rescuing me from the evil dragon. I cross the threshold and take it all in, not knowing where to turn first, I do a full lap of the store.. then a second.. a third.. I stand in the middle of the store confused, perplexed.. there's nothing! you can't be serious?? 'Nothing' and 'Sportsgirl' aren't two words I generally use in the same sentance. Sportsgirl is my saviour, my safety belt, my guarantee that I will go to the ball!
I left the shop, more bummed out than ever, I was exhausted and defeated. I had given up, as I make the walk to the car, my feet moving slower than ever, too heavy to lift, I pass Dissh. I love shopping at Dissh for casual day wear but it isn't my pick for an night time event. I'd grown tired of my lack of success and couldn't bear another knock back but I lifted my head, put on a brave face and entered.
Instantly I am met with the perfect dress, it ticked every box and more;
Orange - check
Feminine - check
Chiffon - check
Edgey - a bit
In my price range - check
My size - check..
..wait, back up!! It's a size 10.. waaaahhhhh! I swear to god, it was all I could do not to cry, devastated I replaced the dress and walked away. It was at this time that a lovely shop assistant took pity on me, she came over and asked how I was. Well.. the floodgates opened!! "Depressed.." I said "...I've been shopping for a graduation dress all day and I can't find anything I like, I loved the Seduce dress but it's not my size and I'm not going to have anything to wear and I have no other chance to go shopping" She didn't miss a beat.. straight away, she grabbed my perfect dress and put it in a change room, she grabbed my arm and took me on a lap of the store, I already knew that there was nothing else in the store for me, as sweet as she was, she had been unsuccessful, there were no more sizes in my perfect dress, I was going home to drink heavily.
"Try on the dress" "Nah, it's too small" "Seriously try on the dress" "It really won't fit" "Just try it" ..She was pushing me but that was OK, I was just happy that someone was finally talking to me.. I would try on the dress and prove her wrong!
I step into the changing room and slip on the dress and...................................
.....IT FITS!!! Not only does it fit, it fits perfectly!! I still want to cry but this time it's with happiness, relief, excitement!! I stare at myself in the dress, it's a magic dress, this dress has been put on earth for me, from god. It was fate, all the rejections, the heartache and disappointment, was supposed to happen, to break me down so that in this victorious moment, I would feel pure, genuine joy! I savoured the moment, I had found a dress, it was exactly what I was looking for and most importantly.. IT WAS A SIZE 10!!!!!! me.. in a size 10! thank god for my best friend and nutritionist Lyndal who helped me slim down for this occassion, while I still have a way to go, I feel fantastic.
I exit the changing room and the sales assistant is there waiting for me, It's then that I realise.. she's an angel.. she's actually an angel!! I practically screamed as soon as I saw her, "It's perfect, it's perfect, I LOVE it, thankyouthankyouthankyouformakingmetryit!!!" she seemed genuinly happy that she'd helped me, congratulated me for graduating -bless- then she was gone..
It really just goes to show, ask, ask, ASK!!!
Don't assume that all sales people are out to rip you off, yes they want a sale but don't brush them off because you think that they can't help you, you think that you know best but the truth is, sometimes you don't and you really need them.
Sure some will lie to you but you ultimately know what you feel comfortable in, trust you insticts but don't automatically shun anyone who approaches you....I'm supposed to be a stylist and I couldn't even dress myself today!
So next time you're out shopping and you see a salesperson approaching, don't run away, they're just doing their job and you never know, some of them may just make your day.
