SO..I am a teacher, I have lost weight and needed new clothes. I spent less than 400 bucks

[greenbriar]

I got 10 different shirt/blouses

4 sweaters

3 pairs of pants

2 new bras


all for under 400 bucks and they look just as stylish as phalin's new wardrobe



and I got them all at Christopher and Banks...yesterday was 40% off day

the bras were at Victorias secret ...hehe



why would anyone spend more



I felt really guilty but I needed the clothes and at 40% off, I felt like it was okay


I could NEVER spend what palin spent

[amitten]

1. But you are not a Republican Princess.

ONLY the best will do, I tell you.

[Catshrink]

2. I've been going through this too.

I've lost 30# and still going. No way do I want to spend a lot of money on transitional clothes. I've been hitting the Goodwill on 50% off Saturdays and have done a pretty good job of scoring some nice, if gently used, clothes. Can't beat Ralph Lauren jeans for $4-5, Liz pants for $3, etc. I'm set for the next 10-15#.

I've also done pretty well hitting the sales at some department stores and TJMaxx, Marshall's, and Ross.

What is so totally cool is that, even though I've avoided mirrors for so long, I caught a glimpse of myself the other day. I had to stop and take another look. Wow!!! It's worth it, even the dreaded exercise part.

Keep up the good work, Greenbriar. We'll get there!

[greenbriar]

3. good on you!!!

my losing weight while welcome wasn't planned


I have been sick and upchuck about 2-3 times a week...the doc thinks I have crohns disease altough they do not understand the upchucking...



but I do like that I am back to my pre=hysterectomy weight

[Catshrink]

9. Crohn's Disease sucks.

I have a friend with it and she's miserable most of the time. What a lousy way to lose weight!

Mine came from 6 months of hard work so it was slow but steady. I lifted a pail of kitty litter the other day and thought "dang, this is heavy. This is how much weight I've lost -- no wonder I feel better!"

[Ms. Toad]

21. Crohns can be anywhere in the GI system,

and nausea is a well known symptom of Crohns. Don't know why the upchucking would be a mystery to the docs.

If you haven't already - see a gastroenterologist, get a colonoscopy, and possibly have a Prometheus assay done (don't know if they've been around long enough to be routinely covered by medical insurance, but my coverage paid for my daughter's 5-6 years ago).

My daughter's primary care doc thought I was being an overprotective mom when I pushed to see a gastroenterologist when she was 4-5. After a year of pushing, he basically handed me a phone book and wished me luck. Once I got her to the GE, She was diagnosed with UC (a related disease) within a week and pretty much under control within two weeks of beginning treatment. I don't have much faith in primary care docs for this kind of problem. Good luck!

There's a wonderful online support group: Alt.support.crohns-colitis - I haven't been there in years, but you should be able to find how to join by doing a Google search. They also used to have folks with a number of related conditions who hang around (Celiac, IBS, for example).

[Hekate]

30. I agree with the others about you seeing a gastroenterologist. Hubby was terribly sick...

... for a couple of years before finally seeing a GE for a full colonoscopy. Our internist did the usual sigmoidoscopy on him several times over the years and found nothing at that end of the tract. With hubby's prior history of colitis I don't know why our doc didn't insist that he take the referral. (I had to live with the awfulness of it too, including the denial.)

The GE's full colonoscopy revealed inflammation, scarring, and active ulcers all the way up. We left with a handful of prescriptions, and he began to improve immediately. Some of the drugs will be a "forever" part of his life, but he is in complete remission.

Better you should get this resolved earlier rather than later. Congrats on the weight loss though!

Hekate

[wellstone dem]

10. I've lost 40 and am in the same spot

Although I think I'm about done, so I'm buying a few more clothes than I did in the transition. Isn't it amazing when you look in the mirror. And isn't it amazing when you pick up a box of cat litter or a sack of dog food and say, "that's what I was carrying around."

Hey, you've motivated me to go out get my bike and bring it in and put it on the trainer.

[Catshrink]

25. Congratulations!

I bought a bike since walking bores me and my knees don't support running. I also joined Curves for cardio. I hate it -- but I drag myself there and it works. The people are helpful and fun. It isn't Curves I hate, it's the exercise. God how I hate it!

[wellstone dem]

29. congrats to you too,

I am a biker too. Absolutely walking is too slow. Unfortunately, it was 30 degrees and snowing today. I bought a trainer and brought the bike in, but I can tell it won't be the same. Well, I just have to make it to April, maybe March (hopeful tone.)

[Gwendolyn]

4. Betcha you could, just depends what store they let you loose in!

Average outfit at Berdorf's and even Saks could cost you between $7,000 - $10,000 plus, depending on the designer. Add in shoes at $600 - $800, then a couple of Hermes scarves at $300 each, belts and purses ranging from $300 - $800 or more, and it adds up.

Doesn't surprise me that they wanted to do something about her clothes. She looked unwashed in the beginning, and her clothes sense was just bizarre. I remember even saying here that her getup always looked like it needed a cleaning.

Of course, it's a lot of money, but they all spend a lot on their image, etc. Barack has the best ties :) They prob run in the range of at least $200 each, and I'm sure his suits are upwards of $1,500 easy.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Sarah Palin would look good if she were dressed to paint the barn

That's the only compliment I could pay her, so accuse me of being a lecher.

The campaign didn't need to spend $150K to outfit her for two months on the campaign trail. They could have done just as well for a lot less.

[Gwendolyn]

19. Lech away! Looking at her makes me want to get out a bar of soap...

...but to each his own! :)

Somebody lower down in the thread already mentioned much of this, but she's got a lot of appearances. Don't forget all the private black tie efforts we don't see in the media. Considering her personal style preference for leopard spot tops and loud bizarro raincoats, they must've started from scratch.

Even if you average $5000 - $7000 per outfit, that barely covers the two months. That's not counting formal evening wear. And, I'll bet some of it went to clothe the Tawd too.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Good for you!

I, too, have lost weight--and I have a new job that requires I dress up (old job was a uniform tee shirt with jeans). I think I've purchased about $200 of clothes from thrift stores and K-Mart (hey, the jacket was on sale!). So no way could I even think about spending $150K on clothes. Better to give it to Habitat for Humanity, or F.O.R.G.E., our local non-profit co-op for giving folks low interest loans. (They are quite solvent, too, btw).

[JitterbugPerfume]

6. ya know greenbriar,

my daughter in law (a teacher) told me the very same thing yesterday She had done some "extra work" and earned about $400 and said she probably wouldn't even spend it all on clothes.

My DIL mentors kids and works tirelessly to help disadvantaged kids . I admire her and ALL hardworking teachers and I consider it a crying shame that teachers are not paid what they (you) deserve

[CatWoman]

7. Greenbriar

I'm like you. I feel guilty paying full price.

and I feel even GUILTIER paying outrageous prices for any one item -- no matter how "nice" it is.

Just can't do it.

I shop mainly in thrift and consignment shops. And Ebay.

[Ishoutandscream2]

8. Congrats, Greenbriar, on your weight loss

Unlike Palin, you are real!

Ouch, on edit, I'm sorry you lost it the hard way. Try to stay well.

[greenbriar]

13. its ok

and my post really wasn't bragging on weight loss or anything...

it was to compare my shopping for under 400 to palins 15000

[wellstone dem]

12. I've lost weight too and nothing better than a new

VS bra!

[NashVegas]

14. Are You Going For An Interview On Chris Matthews Show? Addressing a Rally of Thousands?

There are so many legit things to hit Palin with, but this is not one of them. She was going to be judged on her appearance and picked apart for it, regardless.

Ever notice how TV hosts have their wardrobes supplied by sponsors? How Oscar-going actresses all have clothing loaned to them?

Remember how so many posters right here in DU ripped on Hillary Clinton for the few simple pantsuits she wore over and over, and over?

No matter how loathsome her politics are, Sarah Palin cannot go about campaigning in her sweatsuits and down jackets. She has to represent her demo, so to speak. For lower income whack jobs, they can look at her and think they'd look that good cleaned up, too. For upper income whack jobs, she has to look like she belongs in the same room with them.

PS - congrats on your weight loss.

[tammywammy]

16. I agree n/t

[greenbriar]

17. of course you would

you always show up to post a negative thing or thought on my posts. I wouldn't expect anything different

[tammywammy]

18. Wow I write "I agree" to someone and you jump on me

Oh wait, I forgot I'm not allowed to say anything in your threads that disagree with your view point, even though I was posting to Crisco and not to your OP.

You make this such a happy welcoming place Greenbriar.


:eyes:

[dsc]

20. The problem is that it is of questionable legality thanks to a law passed by McCain

I will say that I don't have a huge problem with spending money on clothes given her situation though 150k for a few weeks sounds excessive to be kind, but apparently she isn't supposed to be spending campaign money on clothes she will be keeping.

[NashVegas]

22. They're Going to Charity Afterwards

At least that's what they're saying. Which means the campaign will be able to write off the donation, I think.

I can't imagine *what* charity that will be. I know of one that puts under-privileged women in nice business suits for job interviews, but ...

[dsc]

23. they say that now but what if this issue hadn't been raised

I would think the charities could auction off the clothes for historical value if nothing else and thus any charity would be a benefit.

[Gwendolyn]

24. There are charity consignment shops that buy "used" clothing from Palm Beach...

...California, New York socialites. They only wear clothes for a season, and people get to buy the cast-offs at much less than half price. Not sure who they benefit, but must be worthwhile causes.

[soothsayer]

26. Hill's pantsuits are estimated to be $6k each, but she gets 'em free from a designer

happy to have her wearing them.

[Posteritatis]

32. The costs still boggle me though

I'm reasonably sure that someone could get the same effect for "only," say, $15K. Hell, the results of considerably less look terrific on a lot of people I know. 150? I can't wrap my head around that. The occasional times I've decided to Be Fiscally Irresponsible about clothing it's been a few hundred dollars for stuff that I really can't see an appreciable difference from compared to suits or whatnot that cost sagans of dollars more.

After awhile, what are additional zeroes to the bill really adding? Why is wearing something more than once in the same month a bad thing?

I'm really not getting this.

[NashVegas]

34. See Above

Clinton's pantsuits cost $6k a pop.

*Very* well-made clothes have gotten so expensive in the last 15 years that most people have no idea what a proper seam looks like.

[Posteritatis]

37. (dupe comment, self-delete)

[Posteritatis]

38. Yeah, I don't understand that figure either

I'm seriously trying to grasp this.

What's the substantive difference between a suit that costs several hundred dollars and one that costs thousands or tens of thousands of dollars that justifies that kind of price difference?

[Gwendolyn]

39. The price is justified by many factors...

The creative input of the designer/as well as the image of the haute couture house.

The price of fabric. You might be surprised to know how expensive some fine fabric can be.

In many cases the more complicated workmanship of the product adds to cost.

Formal wear is outrageously expensive, especially if it isn't off the rack.

Store markup also contains overhead. If you get to sit on plush leather chairs while obsequious sales people feed you Italian cookies and espresso, you pay for that with your purchase selection.

Don't forget the salary of the personal shopper assigned to the Wackhead. No doubt that was factored into the clothing allowance as well.

[MissMarple]

15. Now you've done it. You do know husbands WILL see this.

..tsk...tsk...tsk. ;)

[greenbriar]

28. hubby knew I was going shopping....when I got back he asked if I had fun

I said ya


but we are gonna have to eat ham and beans for the rest of the month

[ThomWV]

27. Most of the clothing I've bought over the last 3 years came from E-Bay

Really, the only clothes I've bought that were other than blue jeans from E-Bay are a couple of T-shirts and some socks. I easily spend less than $100 a year on clothing. As far as I'm concerned then can bury me naked too.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

33. I am in a spending freeze right now but have done a lot of clothes buying on eBay.

Great deals.

[Sparkly]

35. I buy clothes on ebay, too!

Those stores that start things at 99 cents are great. :)

[Hekate]

31. You scored big. I love it when I score like that.

:hi:

Hekate

[LWolf]

36. I'm a teacher,

and I skipped any new clothes this year.

I generally wear clothes for years, until they are simply worn out, and I mean worn so thin that they rip. Unfortunately, I can never stabilize my weight long term, and I have clothes in my closet that cover 3 sizes. I wear whatever fits today.

My budget is too tight this year for clothes. I'm glad I have enough to see me through.

My students, the girls, anyway, often want to "take me shopping." They'd like to see new stuff, lol. Instead, every once in awhile I pull out something I haven't worn for a few years, that will look "new" to them. ;)

[whistler162]

40. Congrats on the weight loss...

but this thread isn't any good without a photo spread! ;)

[norepubsin08]

41. even at full price that still would have only been

a 1000.00 and I'm sure you will use them for more than 7 weeks. I ran for US Congress from the left of my DINO I was just out of school, so was in the jeans and t-shirt and tennis shoes mode, and spent on EVERYTHING (clothes, suites, ties, cuff links, underwear, socks, briefcase etc 1900.00) and have used a lot of that stuff for the past 18 years.

[golddigger]

42. Hmm! This makes your "I'm going to the food pantry" post a lot more interesting.

:P

[tammywammy]

44. She posted that she was going to a food pantry? n/t

[golddigger]

45. Yep!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4238903#4239017

[tammywammy]

46. Um, interesting.

And disgusting. Anyone that can afford $400 worth of clothes shouldn't even be "contemplating" using a food pantry.

[Lifetimedem]

43. I have lost over 100 lbs in the last couple years

I am a regular at a couple consignment stores ....

[FlyingSquirrel]

47. This post useless without pics ;-)

P.S. I can't even believe all the negativity you're getting out of this one. It's a valid point and completely ridiculous that anyone at DU should be taking the Republicans' side on this. Much less attacking you because you could afford to splurge a little on clothes one time.