Shopping instructions

Last week I surfed into www.hm.com. I wanted to check out the Jimmy Choo collection, due out on Nov. 14th. What I found was a video and a set of instructions on how the first day of sale would be. It sounded very civilized, with numbers given out according to how early you arrived. A cross between waiting in line to get front row at a rock concert and going to the butcher. I thought it odd, but considering the hullaballoo at some of the other launches (Viktor & Rolf and Comme des Garçons come to mind) I assumed it was a pretty good call. Just wondered how shopping mad fashionistas would try to get around the system. 

And then today I checked in again to see the images of the full collection. And I understood why all the fuss (namely, not being allowed to buy more than 5 pieces per person, all different, etc, etc...) The collection is ABSOLUTELY DROOL WORTHY!!! The prices are high for H&M - I'd say even higher than COS. And yet I found myself downloading images and the price list of the whole collection. Have to decide which five items I would want to buy... I already have #1 on my list - and no, the bag that illustrates this post is NOT my #1 but if you know me you'll probably guess it - but the other four.... Ofcourse, in all probability, if I do make it in time to get my number in line, get in, and find what I want, I'll only buy #1. But I suspect #1 will be very, very, very in demand this season. 

Plus, isn't all this strategizing half the fun of Recession Era High Street Shopping? Hunting down "just the right" piece, at "just the right" price and being able to then combine it with all that already hangs from my closet. That is the essence of smart shopping today. Getting the pieces that will become the corner stones of your wardrobe over the next few years. The markers of your style. Not some passing fad. 

Say bye bye to Window Shopping and hello to Virtual Window Shopping. It can be  done at any time of day or night from the comfort of your sofa (or office desk - though I don't really recommend it - the guilt kills the fun). And the dent to your credit due to instant gratification extras is minimal. Want a coffee? You get one from the kitchen - no need to pop into Starbucks or Vips. Saves you from getting tempted by that sexy white chocolate cookie and its milk chocolate sister. When you do decide, after much meditation, to buy online, there is the wait, the anticipation and finally, the arrival of the package. And the pleasure of touching, getting a feel for and then trying on that which you imagined. All happens over a space of days, even weeks (online sales demand you develop inner peace and patience). Like in the good old days, but different. All facilitated through the web.

Apart from the obvious pleasures of surfing theoutnet.com, americanapparel.net, privateoutlet.es et al there are the less glamourous but maybe more important perks of internet shopping. Like being able to shop for groceries and 20 kgs of soil without having to limp out of the flat when you have been strictly instructed to stay home by your physician. This process allows you not only to shop but to create lists of favourites, special products, and any other quirks you might consider (party shopping list, first dinner date shopping list, family visit list... you catch my drift.) All this reminds me I should be doing my grocery shopping right now!