I went shopping.

A few weeks ago I made a foray into a department store, something I do about once a year. What I found was appalling. Who decided that every woman in America needed to dress in baby doll tops? That is definitely not my style, so I left the baby dolls in the store, found some pants that fit, purchased same, and left.

On my flying trip into Minneapolis last Thursday I had a couple hours to spare between my real estate tax errand and meeting Younger Son and GF for dinner, so I cruised through the sale racks at Macy's in Southdale. And discovered that when that baby doll thing is done in black linen by a master -- in this case, Ralph Lauren -- it works better.

This is what I got:

and that is what I wore, with black pants and the gray alpaca shawl, on Friday night. (I buttoned my blouse all the way up. Boring, I know.)

I would never, ever pay full price for a designer label, but this was 40% off, plus another 25% off when I got to the register. Score!

The other thing I got -- with those same discounts, yay! -- is a white shawl-collared blouse, cotton so finely woven it feels like satin, with long, French-cuffed sleeves and pearl cuff links. The blouse fit except that the sleeves were much too long, so today I removed the cuffs, cut 2-5/8" off the sleeves, and sewed the cuffs back on. Perfect!

Sometimes it is really, really handy to be able to sew.

Comments

[Cookie]

Fabulous score!

[cursingmama]

I can sew - but not well enough to pull that off. I do however have access to a good & reasonably priced tailor so pants can be hemmed to my challenging not petite not regular height.

[Carrie]

I bet. I can't really sew at all. And I hate hate hate shopping. I would be much happier if public nudity was acceptable, really. Thank FSM for internet shopping, at least.

[Nora]

Good work!

I don't know who "they're" making clothing for these days, but it certainly isn't me...

[elizabeth]

Yay you! I went shopping this past weekend and discovered not only that babydolls are everywhere, but that it's rare to find anything WEARABLE over a size medium or large.

[Diane]

Baby dolls are why my wardrobe comes from Land's End and LL Bean. And maybe Talbot's on a good day. I would make an exception for the black top though.

[Chris]

Thank god for the thrift store...

[Helen]

Fabulous!
and that doesn't even LOOK babydoll when a real designer does it!

I fear the stores. I have to dress teenagers. They're prone to the babydoll silliness as it is!

[deb]

Good job! I haven't been in Macy's for years! I tuess you could call me a "Totally Target" girl!

[Gillian]

I can sew and do those alterations, but actually getting at it is another issue. I'm impressed with your promptness.

[lisa]

I want a personal tailor. So I don't feel like a freak of nature. Maybe I should just get t-shirts that say "freak of nature". I'm with you about those babydoll tops. I was totally out of proportion for those by the time I was 11.

[gayle]

I've been sewing for many years, hate clothes shopping with a passion, so I wear handmade or t-shirts/sweatshirts. I have no idea what might be in fashion...

[soxanne]

Couldn't agree more with the baby-doll issues ... oh, how I wish I could sew ... congrats on the find.

[Carrie K]

Sewing is handy - epecially when dept stores/designers are conspiring against you.

[Sheepish Annie]

That is adorable!!! I love it that tops have gotten longer these days. I feel ever so much better without worrying about my muffin-top popping out for the world to see. The world feels better about it too, I would imagine...

You definitely scored with that top. "Baby Doll" can definitely work in the right designer's hands!