Dear Internet,
I fear I must make a small confession.
I left the house on Sunday afternoon, fully intending to take advantage of the sunny day by going to some tourist spot or another - perhaps Lord’s, perhaps Regent’s Park where they were holding a “village fair”. Oh and fake beach volleyball. But that was never a factor.
On the way out, however, I thought up the bright idea of doing a quick bit of shopping while I was at it. I needed to buy:
- Jeans
- Casual shoes
My jeans were getting a bit tatty, and not to mention my shoes really do need replacement after 2 years of hardy service (these shoes have criss-crossed the globe. They rate mentions.) I knew my idea of shopping: targeted, quick, in-and-out, and I knew I could do all that in time for tea a nice juice smoothie.
I checked my map of the fine old city: Oxford St was on my way to Regent’s Park and Lord’s. Oxford St, London. Doesn’t sound like a bad place to look, eh.
I got off at Bond St station (I wonder if I shouldn’t have commenced a Monopoly tour right there; Bond St, Oxford St, Regent St, Marylebone Station, and Mayfair all within a reasonable walk.) and was pleased to find the street packed with much talent. It appears I was far from the only one to have the idea.
And that’s where things went pear-shaped. I wandered down the street, a veritable country rube gawking at the palaces to consumerism that line the street. I hadn’t been down here while the shops were open.
Three and a half hours later I found myself in Hyde Park, shopping bags in hand. I had:
- Polo-esque Shirt from GAP: £18
- Black suit jacket worth £120 from FCUK: £35
- Jeans from Primark: £6
Which makes for a total of £59, or $150. Worth of clothes. Of which I only wanted the $15 jeans. I had also seriously considered:
- Jeans from GAP: £68
- Ultra-thin tie from FCUK: £25
… only putting them down at the last minute. Which would have put me way out.
I fear, dear internet, that I may be becoming, dare I say it, consumerist. Help me!
(Oh, and I never made it to Lord’s or Regent’s Park)