So yesterday I went shopping for my dear girlfriend's 9 year old son. Having no idea what 9 year old boys like, I asked her for direction. She said, "he is really into Hollister clothing." Now, I'd heard of Hollister, but never actually been IN a Hollister. So Lucia and I put that on our list of errands and set off. Have you ever been in a Hollister? It is similar to Abercombie & Fich. Really dark, blaring music, no service (all the 18 years that work there are huddle around talking--probably about the fact they can wear flip flops to work.) The first thing Lucia said was, "mommy it is dark in here, I can't see you." To which I responded, "WHAT??? I can't hear you, it is too loud!!!" It is a wonder I walked out of there with the correct sizes (I had to really squint to see the sizes), and I was so irritated at having to actually ASK the kid behind the counter to "uh, help me please" (translation...."put down your freakin' magazine before I come over this counter and beat you.") Yet, I walked out of there with a lighter pocket book, and hopefully a bag full of shirts a 9 year old would feel "cool" in. Wow, I felt old, really really old. Even older when instead of thinking of buying any of the clothing for myself, all I could think about was the marketing strategy they employed and who they were targeting...and how brilliant this horrible little store actually was because those pre-tweens thru teens have quite a bit of buying force (and what parent can resist badgering on the level that kids employ when it comes to dressing and looking cool for school?)
I will say on a side note, that the cotton for the tees was AWESOME...super thick and fab feeling. I'd probably have to take an XXXXXL to even fit into one, and if I could stand to ever walk into one of those stores again I might try one, but alas, I think not.
Signed, ME {lv}
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