At The Gap.
I’d never even set foot in that store before – knowing the clothes were expensive. I couldn’t believe she was going to spend all that money on me. Up to this point of my life my wardrobe consisted of mostly second hand clothes that I shared with my sister. Chacha convinced my mom that now I was a teenager I needed to have my own set of clothes – new clothes. I was so excited! I chose a few things to try on and while I was doing that Chacha kept adding to the pile. She taught me to buy a few good staple pieces that could be mixed and matched to create different outfits and looks.
I ended up with two pairs of blue jeans, one pair of olive green colored jeans (this was 1990), white jeans,
khaki pants,
an olive green jean jacket,
a dark red floral blouse, a green and black checkered blouse,
a blue paisley blouse, a mustard colored sweater and a couple of t-shirts. Because I stopped growing at thirteen those clothes lasted for years and years.
In fact, up until about five years ago I still wore a couple of the blouses. I have the red floral blouse in my closet for nostalgia’s sake.
And that jean jacket? Good as new.
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| at Thanksgiving 2 years ago |
I wear it every fall. And every fall someone swoons over it and asks where I got it. Makes for a good story to tell them I got it for my 13th birthday!
Another lesson I learned – it pays to buy to the good stuff and not waste money on the cheap stuff.
Remembering this incident I took my own two oldest teenage daughters shopping for their own set of new clothes last fall. We had a blast! And now that they have their basics they have been adding here and there, mixing and matching throughout the year, using the lessons passed on from my Tia Chacha.
I’ve joined a couple of swaps! One is an ornament swap hosted by Carrie from All That is Sweet in Life. Sorry that one’s closed now to new participants.
But the 12 Days of Christmas Swap hosted by Sami at Symmetry in Motion is still open if you’d like to participate! Better hurry though, the last day for sign ups is Tuesday, November 23rd at NOON (central time).
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How well I remember olive-colored jeans and khaki everything! I love the photos of you (what amazing hair!) and the fact that you remember every item bought that day. 🙂 It’s too bad they don’t make clothes like that anymore. The GAP continues to be expensive but the quality is poor compared to what it used to be.
that is a cute jacket! some styles never go out (or come back around if you wait long enough??)
My husband wears a jumper (sweatshirt/pullover to you americans??)each winter that was mine when I was 15… must have worn them baggy back then… cause he is much bigger than I am.. lol
Ha! I still have my denim jacket from Levi’s…bought when I was in high school. And I am older than you, girlfriend! The good stuff does last. And every so often, I treat myself to it.
It does pay to get the good stuff…although I’ve never personally purchased the good stuff…I once babysat for my neighbor as a steady job after school….for Christmas she gave me a sweatshirt from the Limited…I wore that thing for=ever! 🙂 Memories!
I have my own memories of Chacha taking me shopping, even once at the Gap! I really enjoyed reading these memories!
oh wow…i would love love love to wear something i got when i was 13. well to be more specific FIT into something i wore when i was 13. good for you!
Sami matched us up for the 12 Days of Christmas Swap…i am super excited! i am adding you to my reader now, so i can get to know you better. YAY!
oh and i am LDS too…do you think Sami did that on purpose? lol