Yesterday I talked about my shoe shopping excursion with Melissa, the other half of the Dynamic Duo of Shoe Shopping. My feet are still so crippled from my new I-hate-them-very-much shoes that I been reduced to wearing Crocs. With socks. Out in public. That’s confession #1.
Confession #2 is that I went shopping at Chico’s with Melissa. And I bought something. Okay, two somethings.
I went in there fulling intending to mock most of what I saw. I certainly wasn’t going to buy anything. After all, the Chico’s official motto is “No denim left un-BeDazzled.” Okay, I made that up, but it SHOULD be their motto.
And what has not been BeDazzled has instead been made shiny or sparkly in some other way.
It’s as if the Chico’s designers decided that women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s MUST look like they have no taste. The Chico’s designers have a photo of Eileen Fisher on their studio wall and they throw darts at her face and earth-toned clothes.
So Melissa and I went in there and had some fun making comments about what we saw. Quietly, because it’s a small store and we didn’t want to offend any of the 17 lurking employees.
Some choice quotations from our snark-fest:
“Donna Somers called. She wants her wardrobe back.”
“Didn’t I see that blouse in 1984?”
“That jacket would make the little baby Jesus cry.”
“Wow. Dynasty is making a comeback.”
And famous last words, “Melissa, if I buy anything in here, I’m going to have to confess on the blog. And it’s going to hurt.”
Then, toward the back of the store, we saw it: The Classy Clothes Collection. Here, we found about seven things that weren’t BeDazzled, shiny, or made to resemble animal skin in some way.
As it happens, I have an event for work next weekend. An event that does not allow me to wear my usual wardrobe of black t-shirts, khaki pants, and Danskos. An event that requires … cue ominous music … Dressing Up.
I found a jacket. And a shell/shirt/something to wear underneath. Of course, I already have about eleventy squillion pairs of black pants, including several that are actually dressy. And I even have great shoes and a purse.
Alas, the website does not have a photo of the jacket and I’m too lazy to take one, so I’ll just tell you that it’s black and white and very subdued. It’s more Talbots than Chico’s.
So I bought two items at Chico’s. That’s my confession today.
But, here’s the TRULY AWESOME thing: As I was paying, the Chico’s employee was scanning their database to see if I was in there. I was, for reasons I cannot explain. (Chico’s knows me better than I know myself?) And there was a 50% off coupon with my name on it. So I went to Chico’s, bought two things, and saved money. And apparently I’ll be getting more coupons soon.
I might be a new convert.
If you ever see me wearing something that’s been BeDazzled, shoot me. Please.
I confess, I have shopped at Chico’s. My favorite 3/4 sleeve leopard T came from there. It is worn out now!
I agree, there is way too much bedazzling.
I have crossed the mall to Coldwater Creek. Then I go home and shop on the internet!
“That jacket would make the little baby Jesus cry.”…
….I want to come shopping with you and Melissa!
x
You’re making me a little nervous.
I’ve never heard of Chico’s, but shopping with you and Melissa might take more bladder control than I currently possess….I just about peed myself laughing just reading about it.
I, too, have found some cute items at Chicos. They can be difficult to find amongst the glitter, but they often have some nice plain things hidden.
I always thought of Chico’s as way too old for me, but faced with some serious work travel, I went to investigate the Travelers line of stuff.
I must confess, I bought a crapload of the line. I felt a little sick after I did it. But it’s all browns and blacks and doesn’t wrinkle or need to be dry cleaned.
How ’bout those chain link belts? Cougar enough for ya?
The Chico’s salespeople are so zealous they scare me.
Heh heh heh – we don’t have Chicos here, sounds like a right classy chain!
So. Damn.. Funny. It’s an old lady store–it is! All the glittery clothes and animal prints–I know! And my best friend shops there so I can’t mock it!!!
I have their jeans (non-glittered) and some of their Travelers line (also non-glittered) but I have something against shirts that are so bedecked that they can stand up by themselves without a hanger from all the crap on them.