A Rant

I usually do not rant and run on about the events of life, but shopping for clothes and shoes has become a frustrating experience. Perhaps it is because I can remember when clothes and shoes were made here in the United States and everything fit.

One could enter a store and a certain size in dresses, slacks, blouses, and shoes would be the size that was on the label or box. I did have to try on several pairs of shoes to make sure they would fit a narrow heel and still not hit my ankles, but the length of the shoe was exactly what was stated.

Now most shoes are made in other countries. Forget size. I can state my size, but it doesn't matter. Some are too small and some are too large: same size on box, not in shoe length. Trying to find leather shoes in this community is another challenge. Fortunately, the local J. C. Penney’s now carries some leather shoes, but once again the size on the box means absolutely nothing.

Finding clothes to fit can be another problem. I just have to remember what brand and what size of theirs fits. Too be safe, I usually try the nicer clothes on as I do not trust their markings. The change in size markings is also difficult to believe. I know what size I wore when I was younger and weighed what I now weigh. I would have needed a size nine or ten. Now the sizes that fit are size six and eight. It hilarious. I still have a cocktail dress, size nine that I cannot fit into and yet my latest purchase was a (good brand name) pair of jeans size six. Ladies, they are not being exactly truthful.

Affording really “good” clothes was never in my budget, but I learned to shop carefully and purchase the best I could as the styles of classic clothes last longer or come back into style. That means I have clothes from other eras that vary widely in size.

I have a pair of shorts that I purchased (oh, decades ago). They were made in this country and they are a size twelve and fits perfectly. I can wash this pair of shorts and it still doesn't need ironing. No, it is not polyester. The last pair of shorts that I bought (two summers ago) is in good shape, but it needs to be ironed, and is a size six. Folks, I weigh the same.

The only items I can grab and be assured they will fit are the, ahem, underwear items, socks, and tee-shirt or tank tops that say “small.” Any item that is more costly, I try on as I don’t want to be bothered taking things back to the store.

As for buying out of a catalog, forget it. People say, “Oh, you can send it back.” Well, yes I could, but why go through that hassle when you've purchased something to wear at a special time or place?

Thanks for listening. Let me know if you have run into the same problems when shopping.