Shopping for clothes can be depressing

I am in the process of evaluating my current wardrobe ... pulling out the clothes that should be tossed and trying to find some new clothes that fit well and are somewhat professional for the times when I need dressier clothes.

I felt the frustration some people describe feeling on What Not to Wear. I went into one store that had clothes that looked good. There was nothing in my size. So frustrating! Everything professional looking is so form fitted. For people size 8 and under. I wanted to get a jacket (like a suit jacket). My arms really aren't that big. I have a fair bit of muscle in my upper arms from wheeling my chair. I've never had problems with getting my arms into a sleeve before, though. But, there was no way I was going to get this one jacket on that looked wide enough. It made me feel fatter than I am. I seriously felt like crying when I left the store. But I remembered a comment that was made on the show ... something about not giving up too quickly and not feeling like a failure. So, I put on a brave face and moved on.

So, I went on to the next one that looked like something might work. There were a few shirts that worked, but nothing dressy enough to use for presenting at the conference. I thought I could do my clothes shopping in 1 hour. It took 4 hours before I found something that might work. At least I found a few things in that store. This kind of clothing is so expensive! I don't think I found something for less than $40 at the store where there were things that looked somewhat professional that fit me. I know it's necessary for me to spend money like this sometimes, particularly with a professional job. But the cost and the depressing state of sizes, etc. Why do I have to have such an odd shaped body? Funny thing is that most of the clothes that fit me in the end weren't even extra large. I think each store has their own kind of cut for their clothing. I just need to know which ones work and stick with those, maybe. The Financial Officer where I work happened to be in the store while I was there. She looked at my items and told me I have good taste. She always dresses well, so I hope she was sincere with her comment. It reassured me in my purchases, though. She also told me we need to spend money on clothes sometimes.

I just feel that lately, I've been putting too much money out. Buying the ticket for going to the Yukon (although that will be reimbursed), buying the ticket to go to Winnipeg, repairs for my scooter (yes, it needs repairs already), these clothes, the upcoming purchase of my new wheelchair (which hopefully will be reimbursed by insurance), the additional costs I will incur with my Yukon/Vancouver trip and some small odds and ends that I have bought over the last while that just add up. I don't even want to look at my bills or bank statement. :( I have been doing really well, actually, in not worrying about my money situation. But this list is stressing me a bit. Probably because I didn't plan for them.