A Public Service Announcement

Attention Ladies. If you are in the 30-50 age bracket, I implore you to pay attention. We have for all too long tolerated being ignored by marketing departments everywhere. It seemed for years that once we were too old for the junior department, we were forced into the Alfred Dunner section. Finally, someone wised up and created Anne Taylor, Loft, New York and Co, White House Black Market, etc. We discovered tailored cuts, classic fabrics and basic styles that would flatter us. I learned to depend upon their advertising to suggest styles I may appreciate each season even though I tend to create most of my looks in consignment shops. That's just me being conservative while raising five kids who have at times been known to wipe their noses on me. But that's just me. I don't have to get too dressed up for this motherhood gig but every once in a while like to pretend I have a clue.

Anne and I attempted to shop for a pair of jeans yesterday. Jean shopping is never for the weak of heart but this experience was ridiculous. We are used to being frustrated once we enter the fitting room with dozens of different cuts and styles only to leave empty handed but yesterday, we entered one fitting room with one pair of last season's clearance jeans. We still left empty handed and I would like to show you why.

This happened:

And this:

I have no words:

Seriously? This was heavier than the quilt on my bed and would flatter no one.

What the what?

My husband had plans for this one but this is a family blog so I won't elaborate. Just trust that no one should be wearing this in public.

So here's what I suggest. Let's force these stores to make all the current styles next month's clearance and get back to drawing board. None of us should be wearing leopard print leggings with three inch heels like the commercial running for White House Black Market suggests. We don't need to dress like we are stuck in the 80's because let's face it, it really wasn't all that cute when were 17 either. Leg warmers were for dancing to Olivia Newton John's "Let's Get Physical" back when we believed it was a workout song, not for running to the grocery store. 

We do need to branch out beyond athletic pants and gym shoes but the reality is that we look less crazy in those than anything noted in store windows this weekend. Heck, I'd go back to mom jeans before wearing anything found in the mall at this point. I shall visit my favorite consignment shop, Mariposa in the morning for jeans. I just know someone out there has turned in something acceptable in exchange for Micheal Jackson's zippered pants.