My night out on 31st of October this year had nothing to do with Halloween, though was all about dressing up while dressing down.
A friend of mine owns and runs a lingerie and shoe shop in Helsingborg. And on the 31st of October this year, I was invited, along with a few other friends, to attend an after hours event for customers at the store. To be honest, I felt a bit bad because I was not in actual fact a customer, having, I am ashamed to admit, never been to the shop before, and being single and on a pseudo austerity drive, also unlikely to become an actual customer of exclusive lingerie. I mean, the wares at the store were a bit above your average packs of 5 knickers. And I have way more shoes than one person could ever need. Then again, how many women actually need the shoes they own? All that aside, I really wanted to see the store and support my friend. So a few of us took the almost an hour's drive up to Helsingborg after work that evening.
We arrived a bit later than planned which turned out to be perfectly fine as the event started later than expected. My friend was busy getting herself and everything else ready, so we had plenty of time to look around the shop. The only time I have ever spent so much time looking at lingerie was at a Victoria Secret warehouse sale many eons ago - where I should add, I bought lots of stuff which remained for the longest time, and for the most part still remains, unused and un-enjoyed. Another reason why I did not see myself becoming a customer of the shop. Because what was the point of spending money on something I did not need, especially when I had similar items at home which I did not use?? Other than to make myself feel good, that is. Not to say that making myself feel good is not a worthy cause, just perhaps not while on a pseudo austerity drive. I went on to spend the better part of the rest of the evening trying - trying being the operative word - to remind myself of this while I battled the almost over powering temptation and desire to own every single item in the shop. Everything was gorgeous! And it wasn't even that they were all lacy or see through sexy, though of course a lot of them were. They ranged from the sexy to kinky to classy to comfy, all well designed and well made, and everything about them just screamed out "buy me!" 
The event eventually started, with a fashion show. Four women, who were actual customers of the store, were chosen as models. So they were, really, regular people. This I thought was a brilliant idea. The women were not drop dead gorgeous. Nor did they have perfect bodies. They all had their hair and make up done, of course, so they did look good. And more importantly, they showed off the underwear in a believable light. The message that came across really, was that, one did not have to have the perfect body, or be super model slim, or have big boobs, to be able to look good in lingerie. Of course, some people may argue that it is the lingerie which makes them look good, and these people may well have a point. Because the stuff they had on ... oh la la!
The best thing about a fashion show though, is that it helps people to picture how a certain item looks on a person. And I know I do need this help. I often dismiss clothes simply because I do not imagine how they look on me correctly. Sometimes, when made to try something which I dismissed, I am surprised to realise that it could actually work. So, some of the items which I paid no attention to when they were unassumingly hanging from the racks, really caught my eye during the show. One set in particular, caught my attention so much so that I went hunting for it in the store after the show was over. The price made me hesitate, but not enough to make me dismiss the thought of buying it completely. But, because it was busy, and to be honest I was starving, I headed for the food table while waiting for the crowd to thin out a bit. While munching away and sipping Prosecco, I was asked to write down my name and email address for a lucky draw. There were to be two winners of an underwear set, and a winner of a 2000kr gift voucher.
Not long after that, a lucky draw was held. The first name to be called out was mine! I actually won something- one of the two underwear sets. I was pleased as punch, but also felt a bit bad. I already felt bad for showing up for a customer event, when I wasn't an actual customer and did not think I was going to be an actual customer. And now I have gone and won something. I felt like, and still feel a bit like I had taken something away from actual customers. That was not going to stop me from claiming my prize though! When I was eventually shown what it was, I realised that it was the underwear set which I had been eyeing and wanted to try! What a coincidence. And the best thing about that was then, since I ended up not having to pay for that, I felt I could go ahead and spend the money I had "saved" on other stuff. And so it was that I returned home with a bag of goodies and a grin plastered on my face, and actual customer at last!
And now, if only I was not on this pseudo austerity drive, and had an actual reason to shop there, I would buy everything! Already I am secretly plotting to ask my friend to pick up a couple of items for me to try... After all, there is a lot to be said for making yourself feel good!
Anyway, if you find yourself in Helsingborg one day, I highly recommend checking it out. The owner will make you feel comfortable and break out of your comfort zone a bit at the same time. And I can almost guarantee, if you walk out of the shop with one of these bags, you will be one satisfied customer!
Check out:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please share anything. I would love to know what you think.