I needed to get new clothes for an upcoming trip and also for the mere fact that I have not shopped in five years, other than picking up a shirt here, a pair of yoga pants there. If you looked at my current wardrobe you would think I was a Yoga Master when in fact tying my shoes is the extent of my poses.
My husband has spectacularly stepped in as my shopping buddy since my vision loss. My mom, who died a few months before my sight went the way of Fashion Bug, would always go with me and I never needed her more for these outings than I do now. I can’t really see color except for some shades of blue, I am unable to read price and size tags without a magnifier which really cuts down on the speed and efficiency with which I can shop, as well as the enjoyment of browsing.
Knowing I was in search of quite a few things, I considered hiring a local fashion consultant to help me but honestly didn’t want to spend the extra money, on top of what my new purchases would cost. I am short and plus sized although I can sometimes wear regular sizes too. I needed a store that sold larger sizes and would also be able to give me the personal assistance I would need. And one morning when I woke up, I remembered a store I frequented when working: Dressbarn. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner but I could chalk it up to completely blocking out my old life and career because it hurts too much or, and we’re going to go with this one, I have moved on.
I called my local Dressbarn and explained my situation and the manager could not have been nicer and told me they would be thrilled to help me. A few days later, list in hand, my husband dropped me off. As soon as I entered the store I met the manager and an associate at her first day on the job. Immediately the nervousness I didn’t even know I was feeling evaporated and within minutes I was in a dressing room with a handful of dresses to try on while my new stylists chose the other items on my list. I sent my husband a text, “I am in fantastic hands”.
Over the next hour I would try on pants, tops, dresses, jackets and sweaters. The “new girl” was a natural and I jokingly assured her I was not a fully-sighted plant acting out a newbie initiation. She brought me different sizes as needed, gave me her opinion on how things looked and ordered a few items online for me that were not available in-store. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman! I left there with two full shopping bags, exhausted but walking a little taller, feeling like I now had a place I could shop “on my own” but be anything but alone.
I returned a few days later for several more items, having tried on my new wardrobe and assessed my remaining needs. I was happy to see that I had not scared off the poor girl on her first day and she greeted me with genuine glee and clapping that I had was back and so quickly. We knocked out my much smaller list like the pros we had become and I left there once again with long-lost feelings that only retail therapy can give. I felt confident and excited to wear the new clothes and in a way it was if by putting them on I was shedding the subconscious possibility that I would not ever need more than my casual at-home attire. I have been working on my future over the past few months and now one more piece has fallen into place. And I felt independent. I went into a store by myself with limited vision knowing what I wanted and I left with bags filled with possibility. The two women who helped me gave all of that to me. Although Dressbarn doesn’t have a secret, I swear they both have wings.
