New Clothes

I came to a realization a couple months ago that all of my clothes are falling apart and I can't really afford to replace them. When I say all I mean ALL layers of clothing were in various states of falling apart. I received two pairs of jeans for Christmas last year which have held up pretty well. Other than those and a couple of dressier shirts I was starting to look a bit ragged... Everywhere.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit it. I try to take care of my clothes and I can sew in patches and replace buttons, etc., but there's just nothing I can do to prevent normal wear and tear... Unless I stopped wearing them but I'm quite certain that it's illegal to go in public naked. I have put off buying new clothing for many reasons but the main reason was simply lack of funds. Branden was essentially unemployed for 51 weeks and I was unemployed for a couple months and even though we are (finally) both employed again we just couldn't afford the luxury of just buying new clothing. Enter Christmas.

I never know what to ask for but this year was easier because I needed clothes. I have a wonderful family and fiance who came through for me. First, Katie took me shopping while I was visiting in November and I got to discover the excitement of Target clearance and the surprising finds at Wal-Mart. It doesn't hurt that Katie is pretty much an expert shopper who can find things other people miss and we spent under $30 (maybe even under $20, though I can't remember for sure) and got me four new shirts. Then my mom sent me a new shirt and a gift card to Lane Bryant from her and Dad. I haven't been able to use the card but the shirt was a little too big so went to exchange it and managed to get TWO shirts for just over the cost of the one!

Best of all, just before Christmas Branden took me to Lane Bryant and let me get TWO new bras and some cute new panties. Then he gave me a gift card to Victoria's Secret and took me to the semi-annual sale to get more bras. I don't think I can describe to you the state of my old bras in words expressive enough to convey how terrible they were. I didn't even know how terrible they actually were until I was trying on new ones! I mean, I knew the elastic was pretty well gone and there wasn't much shape or support left in them. I knew that my bra straps were constantly falling down and that if both straps slipped then my entire bra would begin to work its way down my body. I knew that I had re-attached both straps on two of my bras multiple times. BUT I still didn't realize how bad they were until I saw how GOOD things could be.

This may be TMI so if you wanna skip this paragraph you can. With my new bras, I look like I have breasts again! I'm not very big in the breast area, though I'm plenty big in the butt and thigh area. I didn't think I had enough to sag- I really don't- but I didn't realize the difference between no shaping with no support and a little shaping with lots of support. I've never had cleavage, EVER. One of my new bras ALMOST gives me cleavage. I've gone years with padding-free bras and been proud of myself for that but I did buy that one bra with a little padding to push things up and I cannot stop staring at my almost-cleavage when I'm wearing it! I have nice breasts again! Poor Branden gets to deal with me saying, "Look at my breasts! I have such nice breasts," over and over and over. At least he's smart enough to agree. :P

Between the new underthings and a few new, more feminine shirts I feel like a new person! I no longer have to look shabby and I have a few tips from Katie to help me buy a few more shirts on my own. Yes, I'm still wearing jeans and, essentially, t-shirts but I've learned to layer a few things and choose some shirts with some interesting accents and necklines which look even better now that I have proper bras. Thank you Katie, Branden, Mom and Dad for helping me look a little more like a woman and a little less like a slob... I love you and needed this more than any of you may know.