To My Sweet
Darlings,
Let me just
start by saying that it’s not you. It’s me. I’ve changed. You haven’t. I don’t
blame you necessarily. I am not sure how to put this into words but I will try
as best I can. I’ve tried to hold on for as long as I could. But the truth is
that my needs have changed and you haven’t changed with me. Sadly, as a result,
I am no longer able to comfortably visit your shops greeting the happy young attractive
well-groomed but funky staff only to try on clothes that are poorly made, fall
unflatteringly to accentuate my ageing curves, sagging arms, tummy strained by childbirth
and just plainly remind me of a time gone by.
I quite
literally need more, and that is something that you are unable to give me. I
need more support, a more carefully cut pattern and lines that compliment, not
to mention a more forgiving return policy and an alterations department.
Abercrombie, I
am especially hurt by you. Most recently, I walked passed a new store opening
where you had some early twenty-something bare-chested male models posing for
pictures. Walking passed with my two girls just shy of turning 3 & 4, one
of your models walked towards us, “Mam. Would you like a photo?”
“No thank you!”
I politely responded trying to absorb the first time I’d ever been called “mam.”
But I guess that to a young attractive 23 year-old, a 31 year-old pregnant woman
with two kids, is pretty much ancient. Ah well.
That was the
moment that I realized this break-up had to happen.
I will always have
incredibly fond memories of you. I will forever remember the thrill of walking
into Forever 21 when I was 14 years old with my mom and then continuing to into
my late teens and twenties to buy “fashionable and cute” 7 dollar tops and 2
dollar belts to compliment tight black pants for Saturday nights out, week
after week. I’ll never forget my favorite Abercrombie tees and the extra extra
short brown corduroy shorts I so proudly rocked while at university and until
recently, I still stashed in my ‘skinny’ drawer. Being young and relatively poor wasn’t easy but
you filled gaps and you brought me happiness and distraction. You made me happy
then. But it is over now.
Goodbye for now.
Well that’s until my children desire your clothes. And at that point I will
become a mere bystander in the cyclical love affair that you will continue with the
next generation of young gals.
With love,
Gabriela aged 31
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