FASHION SINCE

Rifling through clothes on hangers, she knows what she likes. No hesitation. Then she spots it. She studies it for all of seven seconds. I think, "Good; she'll look great in that." Or I think, "Finally, maybe now we can leave."

But before making the final decision on said accoutrement, she glances at the rack next to her and starts re-thinking or neo-thinking about purchasing another item not even in the same category.

What I mean is when I think she is focusing in on a blouse, she suddenly starts examining a scarf across the aisle. Now I'm really confused. Keep in mind there was no accessorizing of the two items at all. My thought now is "How does she know what she wants?" Or, "Is she stalling?"

And more than one time, she doesn't buy either. In fact some days when I'm not around she doesn't buy anything. It's called shopping.

Never in my life have I entered a store with the intent of not spending any money. Otherwise, why would I go? I understand window shopping, but shopping with no intent is worse than looking through the catalogues.

Some of the longest shopping trips was going with my wife and daughter to help pick out Prom and Homecoming or Sweetheart Dance dresses. I remember once that the very first dress our daughter tried on was the choice. "Oh, boy!" Was I elated. Only briefly. For I think to accessorize that dress took longer than any two dance dress shopping trips we ever took.

Usually I was invited/told to attend this spree to drive to other burgs, because it was impossible to find anything to wear in MTV and to carry all the purchases. Dutifully I went. Sometimes I'd offer suggestions but I'd have to be very careful. I couldn't seem to eager to end the process or I would seem to be borish. Plus, to me, they both look good in almost anything.

Ever once on awhile I still get dragged along. They seem to buy more now. Somehow I don't seem so rushed. Or maybe it's because businesses got smart and put chairs in the womens' departments where I can take a load off.