BETWEEN THE LINES: THE WOES OF FINDING THAT RIGHT HOLIDAY OUTFIT

I went shopping over the weekend. Unlike the rest of the holiday bargain hounds, I wasn't shopping for gifts but a new outfit for myself.

And I quickly came to a conclusion: Finding the perfect outfit is difficult for all but a few women -- mainly those who wear a size 3 dress.

It was a simple objective: finding a new outfit. I wasn't looking for a specific item although a new holiday outfit would have been nice. I really just wanted something new.

Finding that new item wasn't a very easy task.

I tried on a few things -- mostly jackets and blazers -- at one store, but the weather was too warm for wool.

Then I found a pantsuit at another store, but it didn't seem to fit properly. It looked much better on the hanger than on my body.

I'm finding that to be a common problem when I shop for new clothes.

Every woman knows that buying a swimsuit is always a task and finding a new pair of jeans is never a lot of fun either. I mistakenly thought that since this is the season of bulky sweaters and wool pants I'd have better luck.

Apparently I was wrong.

I admit I'm fairly picky about my clothes. I like them to be comfortable, affordable and durable, with stress on the comfort and affordability factors.

I seldom buy new outfits because my budget doesn't allow a $90 purchase for a dress I might only wear on occasion.

Another problem I have with women's fashions is the impracticality of it all.

I frequently see photos on the Associated Press wire that show the latest runway fashions from London and Paris. And the question that always comes to mind is: What woman -- other than the model pictured -- is really going to wear THAT?

I have several dresses in my closet that look lovely on hangers but are a chore to fasten, zip or button.

Apparently dress designers never thought about the trouble they cause when putting fasteners, buttons and zippers on their latest designs.

For the woman who lives alone, who's there to help when the zipper gets to those hard-to-reach places? Or who makes sure that all those buttons running down the back of a blouse are buttoned. I look like a contortionist trying to get dressed for work.

It's bad enough women have to check for runs in our pantyhose, but buttons and zippers in one-piece outfits are hazards to our health.

Despite all the dilemmas women face when considering a clothing purchase, we continue to buy without complaint.

For me, shopping for new clothes isn't what it used to be. I rarely think of how attractive I'll look in an outfit or dress (I lack the confidence to do so.) Now I think of the dry cleaning bill associated with wearing a new dress and inevitably staining it with newsprint or ink.

Maybe buying new clothes isn't really worth it. Fashion trends come and go. It wouldn't matter how trendy I dress, I'll eventually return to the same favorite outfits anyway. Maybe that's the point after all.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.