# Disconcerting consumer moment **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 8, 2006, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838 "2006-08-08T09:51:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/1 "2006-08-08T09:51:37Z")
I wanted to swing by Target on my way home last night, but thought “No, I can’t do that, I’m wearing a skirt I bought there.” (Simple cotton skirt with a few large flowers done in machine embroidery.) Then I thought, “No, that’s stupid, no one will realize you bought it there, and if they did, they wouldn’t care.” So in I go. I’m wandering around in a pleasant Target haze, and decide to go to see if they have fall shoes yet, since I’ll need a pair of navy flats for work. I realize as I’m walking over there that the sandals I’m wearing (pink Birkenstock-style) also came from Target. Aw, geez. And my pink T-shirt? Can’t check it till I get home – but yeah, also chez Target. As I was getting undressed last night, I realize, yup, all undies also came from Target. Also my watch. So, basically, everything I wore yesterday, except my jewelry (two rings and a bracelet). Thank god for jewelry. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/2 "2006-08-08T10:28:17Z")
I’ll admit to feeling a bit weird when I walk into a clothing store wearing their clothes. Although I have no idea why. Particularly if I’m head-to-toe their stuff. Actually I don’t like being head-to-toe anything. If I ever realize that my whole outfit came from Old Navy, I feel this compunction to change shirts or something, just because I feel like The Man has overtaken my brain and apparently I have no sense of individuality at all. 😛 But wearing head-to-toe _into the store?_ I dunno. It’s like screaming “I’M AN ADDICT! OBVIOUSLY I WAS JUST HERE BUT NOW I’M BACK AGAIN! I NEED THESE PANTS IN BLACK _AND_ KHAKI DAMMIT! LIKE MY SHIRT? IT’S ON AISLE TWELVE!” I have a feeling I’m overthinking it. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/3 "2006-08-08T11:31:15Z")
OK, this has got to be an exclusively woman thing. I do not comprehend! Seriously WTF!! ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/4 "2006-08-08T12:37:23Z")
I work in clothing at Wally World, and I see a lot of people coming in in our clothes. It’s hard not to recognize them after you folded stacks of that shirt or something. But it’s not like I care. I do notice, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/5 "2006-08-08T14:06:07Z")
I had a woman stop me in a clothing store recently to ask if I’d bought my shorts there. I looked down, and sure enough, I had. I felt like a walking advertisement, but hey, they were great shorts! ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/6 "2006-08-08T14:28:32Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] OK, this has got to be an exclusively woman thing. I do not comprehend! Seriously WTF!! [/QUOTE] I concur. Unless you work there (as **whiterabbit** mentioned), or your clothes are branded (Old Navy, Hollister, Abercrombie, ugh, etc.), I have no idea how you remember where you buy all your clothes. _Certain_ clothes I remember, such as the four pair of cargo pants I got for something like $4.50 on sale at Dillard’s, but the vast, vast majority of clothes I have I have no idea where I got. Maybe it’s just the way guys tend to dress as opposed to women? All my jeans sort of meld into one concept of “jeans.” Sure there’s a pair or two that fit better, but for the most part when I’m grabbing a pair to put on, it’s just “I’m going to wear some jeans today,” not, “I’m going to wear my Target jeans today.” Same deal with shirts. And for pete’s sake, how in the world do you remember where you bought your socks and underwear?! ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/7 "2006-08-08T15:00:48Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] I wanted to swing by Target on my way home last night, but thought “No, I can’t do that, I’m wearing a skirt I bought there.” (Simple cotton skirt with a few large flowers done in machine embroidery.) Then I thought, “No, that’s stupid, no one will realize you bought it there, and if they did, they wouldn’t care.” So in I go. I’m wandering around in a pleasant Target haze, and decide to go to see if they have fall shoes yet, since I’ll need a pair of navy flats for work. I realize as I’m walking over there that the sandals I’m wearing (pink Birkenstock-style) also came from Target. Aw, geez. And my pink T-shirt? Can’t check it till I get home – but yeah, also chez Target. As I was getting undressed last night, I realize, yup, all undies also came from Target. Also my watch. So, basically, everything I wore yesterday, except my jewelry (two rings and a bracelet). Thank god for jewelry. [/QUOTE] I think we’re going to need considerably more information before we can comment intelligently on this retail epiphany of yours. Describe the “undressing” part again, more slowly, and in much greater detail. Feel free to linger at appropriate junctures. Don’t leave anything out, every bit could be crucial! ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/8 "2006-08-08T16:37:55Z")
I’ve seen guys do the opposite. Sure that men’s $500 leather jacket with a giant Mickey Mouse embroidered on the back looked cool in the Disney store when you were vacationing at Disney World. But wearing in out in public when your back home in Chicago looks kinda silly. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/9 "2006-08-08T17:23:51Z")
[QUOTE=astro] I think we’re going to need considerably more information before we can comment intelligently on this retail epiphany of yours. Describe the “undressing” part again, more slowly, and in much greater detail. Feel free to linger at appropriate junctures. Don’t leave anything out, every bit could be crucial! [/QUOTE] Well, let’s just say the Target undies aren’t as nice as the Victoria’s Secret ones you used to get for me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/10 "2006-08-08T17:37:29Z")
I remember myself doing the opposite, being embaressed as I wore a shirt with an advertisement for a bowling alley that I was involved in a league with to a different bowling alley. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/11 "2006-08-08T17:44:59Z")
I buy a lot of stuff from JC Penney’s. I feel uncomfortable when I go in wearing Penney’s clothes, but a girl has to do what a girl has to do… ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/12 "2006-08-08T18:02:24Z")
Last time I was in J Crew, I happened to be wearing a cute (new) J Crew top, and the salesgirl said “Nice shirt!” with a wink. I could have died. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/13 "2006-08-09T15:47:49Z")
I’ve felt exactly the same way, walking into a store and realising I’m wearing something I bought there. I feel irrationally that I will be suspected of stealing it, rather than just slightly embarrassed that I do occasionally buy clothing at Wal\*Mart. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/14 "2006-08-09T17:27:52Z")
What about your makeup or other personal care products? Had you washed with Target bought shampoo and soap? ---
**Author:** ![InappropriateHumor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eb8c5e/32.png) [@InappropriateHumor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InappropriateHumor)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/15 "2006-08-09T18:14:36Z")
**Savannah** , I share your irrational fear of being suspected of shoplifting if I wear, for instance, Wal_Mart clothing into Wal_Mart. For that matter, if I go into the store with an unopened tin of Altoids in my bag, I will also get the irrational fear of being accused of stealing them. Yeah, I have a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/16 "2006-08-09T18:18:44Z")
\*\*twickster \*\*~~So go in wearing nothing but your jewery. The service **will** improve, & they may even offer you discounts. ---
**Author:** ![Flea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d78d45/32.png) [@Flea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flea)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/17 "2006-08-09T18:21:00Z")
I’m the opposite of this. I love doing that. I love wearing the clothes that I bought in the store and thinking that they look great and new. I hardly ever wear a whole head-to-toe look from anyplace (except H&M, their work clothes rock), but if I do, well screw it. No one can make you feel awkward without your permission. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/18 "2006-08-09T18:40:28Z")
[QUOTE=Garfield226] And for pete’s sake, how in the world do you remember where you bought your socks and underwear?! [/QUOTE] Well, apparently the big red-and-white bullseyes were a bit of a giveaway… ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/19 "2006-08-09T18:54:29Z")
I do this all the time. Usually not head to toe but close enough. However, I have learned NEVER to wear a red shirt into Target. Once during Christmas season I was accosted by no less than 5 people on my way through the store. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838/20 "2006-08-09T18:58:03Z")
[QUOTE=Garfield226] I concur. Unless you work there (as **whiterabbit** mentioned), or your clothes are branded (Old Navy, Hollister, Abercrombie, ugh, etc.), I have no idea how you remember where you buy all your clothes. _Certain_ clothes I remember, such as the four pair of cargo pants I got for something like $4.50 on sale at Dillard’s, but the vast, vast majority of clothes I have I have no idea where I got. \ [/QUOTE] I am completely aghast at this. Not only do I remember where I bought everything, I remember how much I paid for it. Yes, even socks and underwear. Must be a chick thing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconcerting-consumer-moment/367838.md?page=2)