Sometimes I find visits to department stores to be very therapeutic. My mind wanders and I solve problems. Yesterday turned out that way, even though I searched every single floor of Lord & Taylor for something to wear on top and found nothing. What I did find is the attitude I want to adopt going forward.

Here’s the thing: I can whinge about manufacturers ignoring my body type until I’m blue in the face, but manufacturers are not going to change anytime soon. There are simply too many body types for them to accommodate. It’s all they can do to factor in the latest fads. If the latest fads flatter (and fit) us, we’re in luck that season. If not, we’re out of luck. Yesterday I was out of luck. It was all cowl necks and blousons.

Once it became clear that I wasn’t going to find a simple tee shirt that was dressier than the three I’d returned that afternoon (see a pic after the jump), I realized I would have to change my approach. Finding something to wear is going to take work. I’m going to have to scour the internet. I’m going to have to get things made. And I’m going to work with my new seamstress to alter what’s out there so that it works for me.

I want you to benefit from what I learn along the way, and I hope you’ll share what you’ve learned with the rest of us.

Still Searching for the Perfect Tee

When I saw this V neck tee displayed in a dozen colors at Lord & Taylor last week, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. I bought four because I refused to accept what I saw in the dressing room mirror and what you can see from the picture below: it’s frumpy. Sure, the color and neckline are great, but it just isn’t flattering. Perhaps it’s because we’re so used to having a little Spandex in our knits, and this was 100% cotton.

I’m proud of myself for accepting reality and returning the shirts yesterday. Unfortunately, this limits me to the black tee shirts in my closet until I find something better.