So I am in this awkward "mommy phase" with my personal style and my new moomy, ahem, mommy figure. While I actually weigh (drum roll please....) three pounds less than before I was pregnant, nothing looks or fits the same. I have a new bone structure in the hip area, and don't even get me started on the mammary situation. And more than just weight shifting and settling in odd places, I have become increasingly self-aware of the style of my clothes. Can you spell mom jeans? I can. Ann Taylor boot cut high waist was her name-o.
Which brings me to the title of this post. I used to L-O-V-E, love to shop. Ashley's my name, new clothes are my game. Not so much anymore. And the brunt of my "shopping for new clothes is a nightmare" disgruntledness has fallen on Forever 21. Don't get me wrong. It is a very hip and trendy store, complete with faceless mannequins and shiny white tile floors. The service stinks, but the prices are fabulous-o. And I even have a few cute (flowy, blousy) things from there. But here are my top five problems with the store:
1. I decided to try on a pair of cute shorts. Problem number one. I could hardly get them over my rear end, but when I finally did (sweating and cursing under my breath, mind you) the button hit approximately 3 centimeters above my c-section scar. You have got to be kidding me.
2. Twice when I have been in, girls have asked me to reach something for them because they thought I worked there. And called me ma'am. Go read a book. Seriously.
3. The way too loud music does nothing but give me a headache and remind me that I am getting old enough to think store music is too loud.
4. A medium fits more like an xsmall, and a large fits more like a small. I have heard they have gotten a bit better about the fit of their clothes, but c'mon. No new mommy wants to put on a large and be busting at the seams.
5. The store name promotes false advertising. I mean really, at some point, we all turn 22.
I am probably among the minority of women who despise the store, but my opinion stands. And let's be honest, it's not just forever 21. It's every other store in the mall that isn't eddie bauer or the dillards women's department or naturalizer (can we just talk for a minute about how becoming a mom all of the sudden made me interested in cardigans and sensible flats? Where are the days of my three and four inch heels? The blisters and band aids and forsaking comfort for the sake of fashion? When did I stop worrying if things matched? It's like some kind of fashion-void alternate universe!)
Anyone else have the same trouble? (emily and traci, my two crazy running-the-day-after-my-baby-was-born mommy friends, I forbade you to comment!)
20 comments:
Uhh... Well.. I've was BORN into a fashion void universe- and let me just tell you- it's pretty laid back here!
And... I don't have a kid and I KNOW THE MOMMY BLUES! I think it's the I'm past 28 now blues. I still remember when I came home once, went to the mall, and EVERY PAIR OF JEANS revealed my panties.. all 3 inches rising above.
so.... As for bodies changing shape.. Again.. I didn't even BRING LIFE INTO THE WORLD! Yet my body has shifted and started it's own thing.... Oh well!
Weight watchers here I come! I'm not going down without a fight ;0)
Amen, amen, amen. For once won't someone please create a store where a small fits like a large and a medium is an extra large?!?! I would pay double to "wear" a small again.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!! You're talking to someone who used to be intimidated to even CROSS THE THRESHOLD of that store. I've been in there probably a total of three times in my life, and have yet to make it to the trying anything on stage.
I have to say though, the last time I was in there, I thought I had "conquered" the store because I stayed a whole five minutes and was able to stay focused enough over the loud music to a.) not forget what I went in there to look for, b.) determine they didn't have anything remotely close, and c.) leave without my serotonin levels dropping to below floor level. Yay me!!
You have to know, I was just checking for blog updates tonight real quickly before going to bed, and I felt compelled to log in just to leave this comment. You struck a nerve. Love ya!
BTW, I need to come see you. I am tired of cursing my stupid Gap bras that I thought were such an awesome deal when I first bought them, but now make me loathe the days I can't wear a cami. HATE them.
HATE, HATE, HATE THEM.
Have a good evening!
I have never loved you more...and never hated that sad store more! I could not agree more with EVERY point! Its as though you have to undress to the beat in the dressing room or some alarm starts going off with your REAL age blinking in red lights above the door! "Behind door number 1...mom who WISHES she was forever 21!" Ridiculous! Hang in there...let's go shopping at Baby Depot sometime...everything still looks cute on baby's fat!
First, I love you! I love your candor. You say what I wish I could or had. Why is it that my never flat stomach is now even larger? Can you say stretch marks? Don't get started on the loss of the cute swimsuit era. Oh friend, no more. And yes, I know that I am old when the noise in a store bothers me. Cute jewelry though. When clothes don't fit right. . . accessorize!
I am not a mom, but have despised forever 21 from day 1 for several reason. One. Music is way to loud. My marketing mind thinks its a ploy to get you to buy buy buy.
2.The sizes are WEIRD. 3. I buy something, wash it twice and it gets a hole in it, no matter how I wash it and not hang it to dry.
I think they should change the name to "For 16 year olds only"
I feel your pain on the whole weight shift thing. I am smaller then when I got pregnant as well, and yet still nothing fits. I refer to this as the year of the "great shift". Also I have hard time spending money on clothes these day because they all end up stained by the following: spit up, drool, green pea's when your child decides to sneeze while eating, poop or pee. I vote we adopt a mom uniform, perhaps scrubs then we can all feel equal and we do not have to despie those that run after giving birth. Who does that?
I so feel your pain three years after my 'baby' was born. I weigh less than I did before pregnancy, yet I too now have a butt and well um...as far as boobs go, I've always had them, they just tend to be headed South, which is why I am addicted to push up bras now! I have always shopped in junior sections because the clothes are cheaper, but lately I have to wear about 5 sizes larger in juniors than if I go into a women's store....gag me. I agree with everything you said and am still searching for something to cover up my c section scar, but NOT cover up my flippin belly button!! Oh, what fun. Oh, and a side note, I am so proud of my flat tummy (I work hard for it), but why on earth do girls nowadays believe in showing off the muffin tops?!
I know I already commented, but I HAVE to add that every time I see you....I almost cringe at how BEAUTIFUL you look, always do......so, whatever you're doing is working.
Ummm, that is the name of a store? In the mall? I am only aware of Penneys and Target. People shop other places. I am telling you, life in my blue jean and t-shirt world is pretty simple, even if I get my hair cut at the hair store. And, I would love to fit into a large of any kind.
Amen, sister!
I hear ya! That's why I LOVE NY&Co. That is the only store I can find clothes that actually fit right. The clothes in Britain are even worse so maybe I should be thankful I'm wearing my maternity clothes again...
Ok, so i'm the crazy-running-the-day-of-delivery friend but I don't like that store either. I TOTALLY agree about the size thing and the music!!! And, i've had to give my clothes to my sister because of the boobage problemo! Not a bad problem to have but coming from a girl who was LITTLE having to buy new shirts was an adventure. awww, motherhood! And another thing. I now have problems finding shirts that are long enough to a) fit over the boobs and b) not show my belly and c) cover the too low jeans that are the only ones in style now. boo! And, by the way you look hot! Can't wait to see you in person!
acceptance is the first step. going into a store called forever 21 when you are closer to 30 than 20 is like a 70 year old woman going into a store called, "Never Went Through Menopause"
You did! You are! You are awesomely gorgeous and HELL YEAH you have hips and boobs - thank God! You look like a woman! Do women still want to look like freshmen in college? I must have missed the boat on that one. Either that or I've worn mom-jeans ever since I was 16 and I'm just jealous...eh, it could go either way.
(by the by, the word verification is "angst" fitting!)
Well, I am a stranger to you-but you are friends with my sister, Libby...and I am a blog stalker. You crack me up, you have the sweetest baby...and can I just say I agree with you on your post-but I have to say, all hips aside-I would KILL to have your hair. Seriously, beautiful. The volume! It is gorgeous. You may be transitioning in your fashion phase, but at least you have killer hair while you do it! Best of luck in your search...
I very nearly wet myself after reading your blog and some of these answers...especially Alisa's...loving the honesty...and if it makes you feel any better I tend to curse under my breath when putting on my own clothes much less going and actually trying them on...
I know all ladies have commented and i am not comparing at all but i did have a "oh crap I am older now moment" at a store. It was when i went to buy tennis shoes and i walked directly to the clearance aisle, found my size, didn't look at the color, purchased, and left. I use to spend a good 30 minutes picking a cool pair, not anymore.
By the way these comments were very insightful for a man.
I weigh less than pre-preg, too! It is a GREAT feeling....although my body is definitely different like you said! But good job on losing the weight and not settling by keeping those "last 5 or 10 pounds" on like most women say is inevitable. That's awesome Ashley!!
So Lex & I were totally behind you at Sheridan's yesterday! Speaking of losing weight....ha!
I weigh less than pre-prego.... (I even weigh less than pre-coralyn prego) BUT... The body changes!!! I am different shape!
But yes... Forever 21 is a horrible store...
I can't figure out if stores are going for younger styles or I am just getting older...
You know...I did remember thinking...what is this music...why is it so loud!!! Ha ha, I wish I would have read this before my experience! Priceless!
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