A New Suit

I bought a brand new suit at Bloomingdales yesterday, for a friend's wedding in three weeks. Its just before the high holidays so I feel no shame in splurging, especially since I've been wearing the same suit for two long years now and I've been pretty good about saving money this year.

I found a jacket and a pair of pants that I liked....great color I think (I'm color blind so I relied on the young Mr. Thin Man that helped me). I felt good about myself, knowing that I am the same size that I was two years ago when I last stepped foot in the Men's suit section of a department store. I also felt a twinge of satisfaction in taking out my credit card for the purchase. You see, I hate shopping for things....especially clothes. I don't shop often, - except for groceries - so anything I buy feels like not only a financial investment that can backfire if my choice is bad, but a mental workout as well. I'm one of those necessity shoppers for almost everything in my life. It's funny to think that I actually worked at a Banana Republic for a summer in college (And yes, I still have all my shirts from that year; 2003).

When Mr. Thin Man asked if I wanted to use the inhouse tailor I told him, "Oh no, no thank you, I'll use my dry-cleaner lady down the street from my apartment in Park Slope, she's great and I love to give local business to most things." I mean don't get me wrong, I don't despise Big Business, I just have a bit of nostalgia for the Mom & Pop days of our parents which are pretty much over. But I still search for these opportunities where possible. The tailor, the cobbler and the local grocer are classic opportunities, and espcially in a place like Brooklyn.

Mr. Thin Man nodded in agreement with me and said that he felt the same way,"Besides," he continued, "it's probably cheaper there. It will cost you about $20 here and they don't take pride in their work anyway. It's just like getting two warm loaves of challah from your baker just before Shabbas!"
--ok..he didn't say this, but if I were writing the screen play, he would. And then I would say, "You're Jewish??" anyway, back to the story....

I paid Thin Man, and took my new investment with pride. It was probably the last time I will enter bloomingdales until Mother's Day 2011.

This morning after my spin class at the gym, I took my suit over to the tailor and was fitted. I also had to pick up some shirts. I don't iron. I think I've done it once or twice in my life, but who has time to iron with a full time job and grad school? Its hard enough to cook. The nice lady tailor rung me up and handed me the bill with a smile saying in a Vietnamese accent, " Ready on Saturday."

I nod with a smile and as I am saying, "Thank you," I gaze at the bill and in shock and disbelief it reads $59!!!! I think to myself, "Seriously?" Is this in dong or dollars!! I looked up at the smiling woman, with her grinning, stained, crooked teeth. I simply said, "Ok, thank you," and walked away muttering to myself.
What lesson can be learned from this? Should I have gotten the $15 fitting at Bloomy's or should I have supported local business out of moral/ethical standards? I'm perplexed.