Feeling at Home

On Friday a train in Queens derailed. Thankfully no one was seriously injured. Unfortunately I needed that train to get to Big Fat Flea on Sunday.

 

That wasn't about to stop me.

 

I hate shopping in most stores. I procrastinate because I don't want to deal with tiny racks or trying on the small selections to maybe get two things that still didn't seem to fit right. I'd come home disappointed and frustrated because I didn't get what I needed.

 

I didn’t procrastinate when I came to the flea. The night before I plotted the best way to get there. Looking over subways lines, MTA advisories and even considered driving in (that was nixed due to the Five Boro Bike tour.) I wasn't about to miss the biggest fat shopping experience of the year.

 

I got there at about 10:20, checked in as a VIP (If you can afford it for $27 you can come in a half hour early. It's worth it to get your hands on the better selection and to avoid the lines.)

 

I gave myself 15 minutes to shop, 15 minutes to try on and then I would look at accessories and shoes. Something I could do while the big crowds swelled around the clothes.

 

Within fifteen minutes, my  bag overflowed with dresses, tops and pants. Many of which still had tags on it and I headed into the fitting area.

 

At one point the temporary wall marking off the fitting room collapsed and many of us stood there wearing just our undergarments (I had just tried on a top) but everyone took that in good humor. The whole atmosphere was lively. The dressing room filled with loving women who would try on clothes, get honest advice, and pass around clothes that didn't fit them.

 

I tried on everything and put less back than I ever had at any department store. With the  amazing selection, I didn't have to settle, there was plenty to choose from.

 

When I finally paid, my total was $61 for

1. 1 dress with tags (originally marked as $56) Every year at the flea, I have something I call my ultimate find. This was it.
2. 5 tops
3. 3 pants
4. 1 swim bottom
5. 1 pair of shorts
6. 1 bra

Remember I wrote that two weeks ago I spent $60 in Marshalls for two pairs of pants because out of the six I tried, these two looked "okay".

 

I had made a mental list of what to look for: Pants for work, shirts for different seasons, bike shorts.

 

Except for the bike shorts (#5 was regular shorts), I walked out with everything I wanted. The Flea gave me something other stores never could, not just selection and sizes but a big dose of self-esteem.

 

I can't wait for next year.

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Comments

[Ambimom]

This is precisely why I sew. I always have something I like, want, or need in my size.