Further clothing frustration
Apr. 7th, 2019 10:02 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mtbcI thought that I would try to buy some trousers. Initial research suggests that sizing cannot be trusted but I suppose I already knew that from my existing collection of similarly labeled yet differently fitting trousers. For maximum likelihood of suitability and repeatability I decided to try on some common-color regular-cut trousers in my supposed size in a bricks-and-mortar store chain to see if they fit then order more for collection. I am trying to avoid all-polyester and stretch-/flexi-things and whatnot, even just plain cotton will do.
I keep failing. The last couple of fairly large stores I went to, they may have had a suitable pair of trousers but I spent some time hunting through the various combinations mixed on the same racks without finding the values I sought. I have also been looking online at national brands that offer a good return policy but I keep finding them to be out of stock of what seem to me to be just about maximally commonplace products.
I am reminded of a previous period of trying to buy shoes. Again, I had what I foolishly imagined to be easily satisfied requirements but three different Walmarts failed to have my size in stock and I ended up buying online from Zappos instead. They turned out to be a fine vendor until Amazon bought them so again I had to replan. (My latest shoe-buying also failed actually, even involving a successful refund from Royal Mail, but fortunately I recalled that I had some half-serviceable shoes back from 2005 or so, in a box in the garage.)
I keep being surprised at how much people are willing to pay. It may just be that I have to pay more myself. For example, Boden's cheapest
I will let the matter sit for the meantime and see what occurs to me. Maybe I should go to some industrial supply store that sells workwear. Or, when next in the US I should go to some enormous store that reliably has a large stock available cheaply. Perhaps there is a range of jeans that looks somewhat smart and is fairly consistent and available. I will find some solution eventually.
I keep failing. The last couple of fairly large stores I went to, they may have had a suitable pair of trousers but I spent some time hunting through the various combinations mixed on the same racks without finding the values I sought. I have also been looking online at national brands that offer a good return policy but I keep finding them to be out of stock of what seem to me to be just about maximally commonplace products.
I am reminded of a previous period of trying to buy shoes. Again, I had what I foolishly imagined to be easily satisfied requirements but three different Walmarts failed to have my size in stock and I ended up buying online from Zappos instead. They turned out to be a fine vendor until Amazon bought them so again I had to replan. (My latest shoe-buying also failed actually, even involving a successful refund from Royal Mail, but fortunately I recalled that I had some half-serviceable shoes back from 2005 or so, in a box in the garage.)
I keep being surprised at how much people are willing to pay. It may just be that I have to pay more myself. For example, Boden's cheapest
swimshortscost £40 (over $50)! Surely that's absurd? If I am paying much more than £20 for trousers then I become correspondingly more picky: for example, I want metal instead of plastic fasteners, deep pockets, etc. In the US I would try vendors like JCPenney but here I often balk at department store prices.
I will let the matter sit for the meantime and see what occurs to me. Maybe I should go to some industrial supply store that sells workwear. Or, when next in the US I should go to some enormous store that reliably has a large stock available cheaply. Perhaps there is a range of jeans that looks somewhat smart and is fairly consistent and available. I will find some solution eventually.
