The signs aren’t good, nurse

Dear Internet,

I fear I must make a small confession.

I left the house on Sunday afternoon, fully intending to take advantage of the sunny day by going to some tourist spot or another – perhaps Lord’s, perhaps Regent’s Park where they were holding a “village fair”. Oh and fake beach volleyball. But that was never a factor.

On the way out, however, I thought up the bright idea of doing a quick bit of shopping while I was at it. I needed to buy:

  • Jeans
  • Casual shoes

My jeans were getting a bit tatty, and not to mention my shoes really do need replacement after 2 years of hardy service (these shoes have criss-crossed the globe. They rate mentions.) I knew my idea of shopping: targeted, quick, in-and-out, and I knew I could do all that in time for tea a nice juice smoothie.

I checked my map of the fine old city: Oxford St was on my way to Regent’s Park and Lord’s. Oxford St, London. Doesn’t sound like a bad place to look, eh.

I got off at Bond St station (I wonder if I shouldn’t have commenced a Monopoly tour right there; Bond St, Oxford St, Regent St, Marylebone Station, and Mayfair all within a reasonable walk.) and was pleased to find the street packed with much talent. It appears I was far from the only one to have the idea.

And that’s where things went pear-shaped. I wandered down the street, a veritable country rube gawking at the palaces to consumerism that line the street. I hadn’t been down here while the shops were open.

Three and a half hours later I found myself in Hyde Park, shopping bags in hand. I had:

  • Polo-esque Shirt from GAP: £18
  • Black suit jacket worth £120 from FCUK: £35
  • Jeans from Primark: £6

Which makes for a total of £59, or $150. Worth of clothes. Of which I only wanted the $15 jeans. I had also seriously considered:

  • Jeans from GAP: £68
  • Ultra-thin tie from FCUK: £25

… only putting them down at the last minute. Which would have put me way out.

I fear, dear internet, that I may be becoming, dare I say it, consumerist. Help me!

(Oh, and I never made it to Lord’s or Regent’s Park)

6 Replies to “The signs aren’t good, nurse”

  1. You paid six quid for jeans? That’s cheap.

    I managed to find some CK jeans here for US$10 a pop. I like em.

    After shopping here, I’ve realised how retarded the prices are in Melbourne. It’s not so much a fashionable city as a city full of people desperately trying to buy their way into fashion. :P

  2. omg skinny tie! you should sooo get one!
    i’m imagining you wearing ben sherman stuff! so hot! I wonder if there is much price difference of there and here……

  3. Yeah, as much as I paid here, I knew I’d pay at least as much, if not more back in Australia. Ridiculous especially when you factor in Australia being close to the countries of manufacture.

    Chicky: but it’s £25! that’s like $62! for a TIE!

    And I have no idea about Ben Sherman – I google’d got prices around £10-£40, so anywhere from $25 to $90. How’s that compare?

  4. whoa i guess that is a bit much for a tie…

    well polos are around 100 and shirts are 100 ish i think…..

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