I’ve been on a quest to find some new summer-worthy shirts. I’ve been pregnant and/or recovering from pregnancy for so many summers in the recent past that I’m down to about four or five summer tops–not enough variety for my liking, and not enough pieces to make laundry an easier task. So, I’ve looked at about every online retailer I can think of–Lane Bryant, Avenue, Target, Kohl’s, JC Penney, Macy’s, and about every other place I’ve heard of. Now, I know the plus-size market is smaller in the first place, but seriously–if I see one more ugly mod print, I’ll scream. Horrid blocky patterns in even more hideous color combinations–black and turquoise, black and hot pink, black and white. This is not my idea of high fashion–heck, it’s not even my idea of passable fashion. I really don’t see that a return to 60s clothing styles is helpful or necessary. I’d get on board with more 40s and 50s style fashions (and actually, as far as dresses go, I’ve had some luck with that) but please, no more 60s and 70s Laugh-In inspired clothing.

And the few times I have found something I like, I look at the tag, and discover it’s got a good deal of rayon in the fabrication. Am I the only person in America who hates that material? I keep reading about how easy it is to care for, how well it wears in comparison to cotton, blah, blah, blah. Every time I’ve owned a piece of rayon based clothing, however, I’ve found that it begins to look shabby after only a washing or two. I just can’t get on board with the stuff. Give me a plain old cotton shirt any day, or even a poly blend, but please leave the rayon out of it. Of course, this has further narrowed the clothing available to me to purchase.

I’m starting to feel like Lucy and Ethel being made fun of for saying they “haven’t a thing to wear! I can certainly appreciate why they would say it, anyway. And, I’m guessing I’m never going to find a new shirt ever again! (OK, it’s possible that was a slight exaggeration…but of course, the fact that I “haven’t a thing to wear” was 100% truth!) But seriously, I’m beginning to wonder how long it’s going to take to find something that’s in my budget, and fits my style and fabric expectations. It’s almost enough to make me want to learn to sew…almost, but not quite!