I buy many things, but rarely things I actually need. I don’t mean “need” as in “Me wanty! I have to get that!”, but … actual need. When it comes to things I actually need, I have a bad tendency to keep putting off the purchase. Don’t ask me why. I don’t always make rational decisions. However, this fall, I reached a critical point in my procrastination on a few of these items, so I decided to make a deliberate effort to remedy the situation. Yay for rationality! Yay for me!
Except that, as is wont to happen when I decide that something needs to get done, the universe has decided not to cooperate. In case you’re wondering where this post is going, it is headed straight into Rantville.
Trench Coat
You’ve heard me bitch about my old trench before. It’s really old, and it was never that great to begin with. To make matters worse, one of the sleeve seams has started to rip. It’s probably a fixable problem, but I have zero motivation to do it, because a new trench has been on my “to buy” list for close to 2 years. I really – really – should get to it. I just hate spending money on outerwear. The most I’ve ever spent was $100 on a J. Crew Lady Day coat, and I’m still not sure I’m happy about it. Solution? Spend someone else’s money, of course.
Every year, my employer gives me (and each of my co-workers, I’m not that special) a Christmas gift in the form of a generous gift card to a local mall. Every year, I tend to blow it on something frivolous and expensive, because there is no better way to spend free money. In a rather shocking twist, last year’s gift card is mostly intact, 10 months after it came into my possession. And now, I am determined to spend it on something useful. Like, say, a trench.
Now, my choice is limited to two stores, one of them being Holt Renfrew (the Canadian version of Nordstrom, for my US readers). No problem, eh! Well, it is, actually. The local HR is not particularly well-stocked; my gift card won’t begin to cover a Burberry trench (sniff!), and other pickings are … none. I did spot a gorgeous camel wool MaxMara coat, but I’m not sure that it would be a good substitute for a trench. And it’s still expensive.
So a trench will have to wait. Again.
(If you have suggestions for a good quality trench in the under $150 price range, I’m all ears. Otherwise, I’d prefer to wait for the next trench season at Holt Renfrew, and use my gift card.)
Boots
I need a pair of brown/cognac boots. I also need to start thinking about replacing my current pair of black boots. I would like both of these hypothetical new pairs to be Fryes. I have no desire to pay full price for either of them. Or even eBay prices. Unless … wait for it … I’m spending someone else’s money. You’re starting to see the trend here, yes?
You know who used to, but now is not carrying Frye in stock? Holt Renfrew.
Pantyhose
Now that I’m back in the office – and with winter fast approaching – I need pantyhose again. I usually buy mine at Winners, but that stuff’s not really cutting it anymore. I need pantyhose that (a) won’t try to strangle my mid-section; (b) is not going to develop a run as soon as I put it on; and (c) can somewhat approximate my skin tone, without making me look like Casper the Ghost. For these reasons, I have become convinced that I need to buy some Wolford pantyhose. I think paying $50 for one pair of pantyhose is insanity … unless – yes, you guessed it – I’m spending someone else’s money.
You know who carries Wolford pantyhose, but not in any colour remotely close to my skin tone? Holt Renfrew.
WHY DO YOU NOT WANT TO TAKE MY MONEY, HOLT RENFREW?????
Hahaha! I have the same problem. I have a running list of things I need, but when I go to get them I always decide I need the thing in a more fun color, or I (more frequently) panic and decide I shouldn’t spend the money. It’s a terrible habit :).
I’m mostly commenting to say that if you decide you want to spend non-gift card monies on Frye boots, I’ve recently gotten a couple pairs of Fryes from 6pm.com for under $100 and am feeling pretty pleased with myself about it. I don’t know about their shipping to Canada, but it may be worth a look?
Anyway, I haven’t commented before, but I wanted to say that I’ve really been enjoying your blog and your humor! I think I found it through Fran, and I’m glad I did :).
Hey there! Thanks for checking out the blog!
I know 6pm has awesome deals, but for some reason I don’t think they ship to Canada (I think I looked into this at one point, unless I’m thinking of Zappos again. Who definitely no longer ships here, sigh.)
But Fryes for $100? Officially jealous.
Trench: Banana Republic maybe?
Boots: I have no help for you here. I only have Frye or Aquatalia.
Pantyhose: Apparently H&M has good pantyhose in a thick denier… if you like it opaque. The Bay also has pantyhose from the brand Hue which I liked.
I love Hue tights, but I’ve only ever tried their opaque ones. I need the regular (skin tone) nylons. I try to buy Hue at Winners, because they’re pricy, but I’ve never seen regular nylons by Hue there.
I can’t be much help on the boots or pantyhose, I’m afraid, but I can tell you that I absolutely love my Tommy Hilfiger trench. I got mine with tags for $20 at a thrift store in Boston, so I’m not exactly sure how much they charge for them new these days, but I’m sure it’s less than Burberry! It’s warm, flattering, well-made, classic, and the neckline works three different ways, so you can adjust it depending on the weather. Good luck finding what you need!
Hmm, Tommy Hilfiger, eh? I haven’t been to their stores in forever. Will add it to my list, thanks!
(p.S. I keep hoping I’ll run into the perfect trench while thrifting ;))
I just got a trench from Banana Republic (factory, I think) and if I squint my eyes, I can pretend its just as good as the Burberry trench that I’ll never have. Might be worth a shot.
Thanks! I haven’t had much time to go into brick-and-mortar stores lately, but I may have to brave the malls again one of these days.
I’m sure your trench is lovely.
You’re in Calgary right? Nordstrom just opened there and they most definately have frye boots and Probably a good trench. I remember a ton if coats being on sale in December so maybe check then? And last year they had certain frye boots on promotion and I got my pair of Melissa button boots for a steal. Who knows if they’ll do that again- I think it was in feb/march of last year.
No, I’m in Edmonton but that is a good point. I’ll have to try to plan a trip down there …
“Need” purchases bore me too – like underwear, tights, bras. I can’t get excited about shopping for stuff like that so I rarely bother!
Glad to hear I’m not the only one!
Oh man, you’re far from the only one who procrastinates on needs why buying wants. Trust me!
Can you use your gift card at the Holt’s in Calgary, or is the card specific to the mall? If you can use it in Calgary, maybe you could combine last year’s gift card with this year’s potential gift card and get something on sale over the holidays?
No, it’s a mall-specific card. I suppose I could use it to buy Holt’s gift cards, and then do what you suggested …
I think you should email Holt’s and complain that you’d really like to spend your money there, but can’t buy anything. I had them order something in for me once, so that might be an option. That said, I really think your best bet is a trip to the Nordstrom’s in Calgary!
As an aside, I wish I had your problem in respect to coats. I can’t stop buying them! I’d love a coat for every day of the year, if I could.
Yeah, they never seem to want to help me spend money there. It’s weird!
Tights: seriously go to target. they have amazing tights for like $10 (and not just the brightly coloured ones I prefer). They usually have an great selection of boring neutral tights and fun but still ultra conservative ones as well.