I learned a valuable, and somewhat expensive, lesson the other day. I realized that if you walk into a store where the price tags are discreetly hidden, you'll walk out of that store quite a bit poorer than when you walked in.
I went to a local "gentleman's" store to get a new blazer. None of the ones I have fit anymore...they're actually too small in the shoulders, so I guess going to the gym every other week really works. Found an awesome black blazer which fit extremely well and although it was more than I wanted to spend, the guy knocked $50 off of it for me. Great, so I went ahead and bought a shirt, tie, and pair of slacks. Um...the shirt was $135. A single long-sleeve shirt with button-down collar was $135. When did I realize this? When he was ringing it up.
I won't tell you what the rest of it cost 'cause I'm a bit embarassed about it. The only thing I'll say is that I buy clothes like this very rarely since I don't wear them that often and I think of this as a long term purchase. I'd better think of it as long term since I'll be paying on it for a while. So, for all of you that were ignorant like me, I offer this advice; If the price tag can't be found, or it's printed in very small font, run like hell to your nearest JC Penney.
I will say this though...I look really good in the jacket and slacks. Isn't that what it's all about?
Well why don't you show us just how good? ;-)
Posted at October 25, 2004 02:49 PMOuch! Were you too embarassed to ask to have them take it off your purchase? That stinks. But happy for you that you gut some snazzy new duds. (As opposed to my language which is outdated - snazzy? duds? What century am I in?)
Posted at October 25, 2004 02:56 PMI'm with Kat, a fashion show is in order.
Posted at October 25, 2004 09:45 PMLook at them as an investment, since being a guy you'll probably be able to get years and years out of most of the outfit. :-)
One hint for the future, before you even get to the point of trying to find the hidden price tag: If there is a lot of open space in the store, and the racks are far enough apart that you can walk between them without even coming close to brushing by one or both of them, it's probably too expensive to shop there!
Posted at October 26, 2004 02:02 PM