Run, don’t walk…to Century 21 this week. And please allow a brief anecdote to help capture the moment.
A few years back, when I was an impoverished graduate student, every dollar counted. So, while shopping at Bloomingdale’s (I know, I know, why is a poor grad student at Bloomies? But come on now, one still needs to look good after all, even when one is subsisting on canned tuna, doesn’t one?) for a strapless bra (I was desperate as I had a wedding to attend just days later) it became a toss-up between a Wacaol and a Chantelle. As a Chantelle girl, I opted for the latter but given my budget constraints I decided to be practical and save myself about $15-$20 and go with the Wacaol.
But let me tell you, that Chantelle bra looked slammin’ in the dressing room and I tortured myself over the decision. You know the shopping demons that perch themselves on your shoulder: “What’s a few extra dollars?! come on!” “Well, a few extra dollars is a night of sushi take-out, it means Citeralla not Gristede’s”, “Yes, but who wants to go to Gristede’s or Citeralla in a less than sexy bra?” And the argument goes on; if you’re anything like I am, it can go on for a long, long time.
Needless to say, I bought the Wacaol bra, made peace with the choice and moved on. Well, almost moved on. A year or so later, finished with school and shedding some of my shopping guilt, I cruised up to Bloomie’s to pick up that great Chantelle bra that I never did truly forget about. After all, how many great strapless bras does one girl find in lifetime?
So there I am, frantically searching the Chantelle nook, rummaging through racks, peeking behind hanger after useless plastic hanger but to no avail. In total denial, I assume they must have sold out. Finally, a woman asks if she can help me find something (we all know the service there is hit or miss). I describe the bra, right down to the rubberized interior at the top of the cup and the scalloped detailing along the edges.
“Oh, they discontinued that.” Why do people have to say things so nonchalantly these days? And before I’ve even had the chance to internalize this news, she proceeds to ask if I’d like to check out some of the other strapless bras. Of course I don’t want to try on other strapless bras! If I wanted another strapless bra, I would go home and dig out the black Wacaol and throw myself a party! So I left Bloomie’s that afternoon without a bra but with the curious question of why companies do away with great merchandise.
Fast forward to this afternoon. Still shopping too much. Still teaching and driving my students crazy. And to be honest, I’d all but forgotten about this bra. And then, after work today, I just happen to be in the Century 21 neighborhood, and took a sunny stroll through lingerie. I think we all know where this story is going so I won’t even cheapen it with words. Needless to say, I bought more than one, the price was right and I’m wearing it as I type this.
Even if your own story is less dramatic than this one, still visit C21 lingerie. They have tons of On Gossamer undies that are just like Hanky Panky but come in sizes. I love the navy blue. And speaking of Hanky Panky, some of last year’s colors of our favorite one size fits all thong are showing up there as well. Go early and go often; merchandise moves fast.
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umm.. i work at bloomingdale’s and this isn’t true we have that bra in stock