Shopping Hell...

After returning from an exasperating shopping trip, I've decided to put pen to paper -or fingers to keyboard - to make the designers and retailers of the world aware of something they're obviously missing.

The world is full of women 50 plus years old, who have disposable income they'd like to spend on looking nice.  On this particular shopping trip,  I was in search of something to wear to a wedding....something a little nicer than my normal attire.  Now, I admit, I don't have the greatest figure in the world but in looking around the stores, mine's not the worst either.   What are these other women doing?

Well, they're not buying!   And here's the dilemma!

Old(er) women don't all have firm and toned arms, so what's with all the sleeveless dresses and tops?  I'd rather not look like a taradactyl, with these "wings",  so now what?  I look for a cute jacket, sweater...anything to cover my arms.  With the selection they had in jackets, I either looked like a colonel in the Army or some bohemian gypsy!  Ugggh!

The skirt selection was no better. Now face it, ladies.  Gravity takes its toll on the knees.  The short skirt "ship" has sailed for this old gal. I understand the popularity of the long skirts (because of the aforementioned ugly knees).  But I look like somebody from Little House On The Prairie - so thumbs down to those, too.

Although I wasn't considering slacks for the wedding, I have to ask.  Have you tried on slacks lately?  Tight "Skinny Jeans"?  My jeans were tight before those became fashionable-and "skinny" they'll NEVER be!  "Ankle slacks"?  Sure, I'd love to look like Laura Petrie, Dick Van Dyke's better half, in those sleek, ankle length numbers with cute little ballet flats....but I've spent a lifetime looking for slacks that were long enough for these legs and I'm not going to stop now!   Ya can't win....

Let's stroll over to the shoe department, shall we, ladies?  Do these designers realize that 5 inch heels are downright dangerous for old(er) women (not to mention that they would make me 6 foot 3!)   The other shoe selections would have me looking like one of the good nuns I had in grade school or, at the opposite end of the spectrum, like  a shopper from a Victoria's Secret catalogue!  All I want is a stylish mid-sized heel that won't cripple me by the end of the night! Please....

I came home, my wallet, in hand, with the money I left with and no credit card receipts.  And disappointed.    I truly think "they'" (whoever THAT is) are missing the boat by ignoring the needs of such a large demographic as the old(er) women in this country.

I'll scrounge up something in my closet and look presentable, I suppose.  But they missed an opportunity and I'm thinking the sales racks will be full of unsold merchandise at the end of the season.    Maybe they're just thinking we (old(er) folks don't need to kick up our heels once in awhile and should just stay home.  Well, I don't THINK so!