I've been feeling a bit old lately because my nephew just turned 16. I was 16 when he was born. Or maybe I was 16 when his mom (who is a year younger than me) got pregnant. Maybe I was 17 when he was born. Either way, it was a long, long, long time ago. And I realized I'm 100 percent older than he is. And I don't feel that old. Although I have been having a clothing crisis lately. Am I too old to wear this? Can I really pull this off. I never used to wonder this. And now I do. And I used to get carded when I bought wine at the grocery store. Now I don't. If I do, it's a thrill.
Anyway, what to buy a 16 year old? I know what four-year-old boys like, but 16-year-old boys? Turns out that they like clothing from Abercrombie & Fitch. It's a store that I have not gone in since high school. And I'm not sure I went in to it back then either. Whenever I walk by the store in the mall, all I can think is that none of my friends in high school looked like the kids pictured in those larger-than-life black and white photos in the windows. But I pushed forward and got him one of the shirts I've seen him wear in a color I hoped he doesn't own already.
After that, I started feeling sort of blue. It all comes back to that age thing. So I decided the best way to get over this feeling was to go buy a couple of shirts from Abercrombie & Fitch for myself. If this is what the kids are wearing, then I will wear it too. And I will look good. And I will feel young. Because I'm still youngish. When I got home the only thing I felt was lame. I have tried those two tops on in front of my own mirror and they don't look nearly as nice as they did in the store dressing room (does anything ever?).
Those shirts will go back to the store. And I'll just have to come up with other ways to feel young.
I know the feeling. I used to shop at Abercrombie whenever I visited the US, (I'm Canadian) and when I lived in D.C. (doing an internship at CBS TV) I would shop there frequently. Back then I was a size 8. And in my early 20's...
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm 30 and after having a baby and one on the way... all those cute t-shirts just don't look quite the same on me anymore. Yet, I still keep them, in a neat pile in my closet, front and centre. Do I really think I'll fit into these shirts again? After baby number 2? I don't think so. But a girl can dream, can't she?
You're definitely brave for going into that store. I can't get past the horribly loud music they think it's okay to play!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have to agree with Amy. The music is rather off-putting - as are the model-like kids they hire to stand at the front of their stores. :^)
ReplyDeleteBut my friend Nancy told me the other day that I am a young mom because of the way I dress, and she thinks I totally pull it off. So, if someone thinks I can pull it off than I am certain you do as well - maybe AF isn't your store. Have you been to that store at the Hillsdale Mall where we used to shop for dance clothes - what was it Wet Seal???? :^)
A lot more cost effective than Abercrobmbie as I recall!