Manolo Memoirs: June 2009

I recently quit my job at Off Fifth, Saks Fifth Avenue and it was both the best and worst decision of my life. Though the job made me dread Tuesday nights (the one day a week I worked) with such overwhelming fervor that I spent all day thinking of possible illnesses that I could contract to make myself so repulsive to management that I would be sent home , it also brought me some of the most amazing pieces in my wardrobe. Now, that I am once again a discount-less consumer I have to put forth the extra effort to find those fabulous items on fantastic sales that I have become so accustomed to. I recently went down to Sawgrass to see what I could find and I was dramatically disappointed. So I got to thinking… When it comes to life and love, why are the good ones so hard to find?
Dating is much like outlet shopping. You hear of people finding the most amazing items so you go to the outlets filled with hope and excitement. Yet as you look around you realize that what is still there is the crap that no one else wanted. Relentless and unfazed, you search with determination and occasionally find something that looks like it’s worthwhile. Tragically, you later discover as you try it on that it is damaged beyond repair, stained, or missing a few pieces. Now don’t get me wrong, I have had my shares of disappointing purchases at the Saks Outlet. I once bought a pair of Christian Louboutin heels whose bow fell off after only one wear. I also bought a silk dress that I and accidentally put it in the dryer. Needless to say, there is a 7 year old somewhere enjoying a Theory shirt dress.
However many disappointments I have had, both shopping and after making the purchase, there is one buy that will forever resonate in my mind. One day, while exiting the employee breakroom, I see a really pretty white bandage style dress. In the two years I had worked there, never did I stumble upon anything Herve Leger in the entire store- so I did not get my hopes up. As I approached the dress I looked upon the label and sure enough, there it read in bold block letters- HERVE LEGER. I looked down at the price tag assuming, like much of the designer labels there, that even at the outlet it would be too expensive, yet the price was only $384. It was too good to be true. Here in my hands was a white, xxs Herve Leger dress for a price that was unbelievable. Moreover, there was a sale for 40% off any one item AND I could use my employee discount of 30%. When all was said and done I stood to pay less than $200 for the dress. Naturally I began to inspect the dress because the obvious stated that there had to be a huge flaw in the dress but miraculously there was not. I tried the dress on and it fit like a glove, but I still figured there must be something wrong with it. I almost passed on the dress for fears that it would end up back firing in the future. I thought it might have been miss-tagged so I had it price checked. It was in fact the price. I search endlessly trying to figure out what was wrong with the dress, but it was perfect for me. When it came down to it, I knew that it was meant for me. No one since has seen another dress like it, but I am so fortunate I found mine. I love my dress. I love it not because of the style or because of the brand name. I love it not because I wear it all the time (it still has the tags) and not because it is an expensive dress (I have others by the same brand that I paid full price for). I love the dress because the manner in which I found it was almost fatalistic. Despite all the terrible looking, beat up, old, tired, ragged, depressing merchandise that was in the same department, I found that one great dress. That dress keeps me hopeful that friends will find fantastic items for themselves.
Often times we focus so hard on the shit we have to muddle through to find what we are looking for, that we forget to enjoy the process. At times shopping and finding nothing can be difficult and frustrating and can make anyone want to give up outlet shopping forever. However, we must remember that when it comes to both dating and shopping- the process can sometimes, if you are very, very lucky, get you to the point where you get to wear a fabulous white dress.