Hippo Brigade

I am not Forever 21

Forever 21 has taken over.

They have recently expanded in South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island, and the Shops at Mission Viejo.

It used to be a small retail store, but now they’re department-sized-huge. Elevators and escalators huge.

The first time I went in to the newly expanded store was at South Coast Plaza. I had both my children and I was shopping with some friends. There were so many pretty things that I wanted to touch: jewel toned jeans, silky tops, suede wedges, and oh my GAH have you seen this necklace!?

After 5 minutes of shopping I needed to sit down, I was about to have an accessory panic attack. Plus my kids were slapping each other with leg warmers, and I needed a cookie.

So we left. I abandoned my friends. I had to take a break from the blaring techno music and that much neon can’t be good for the eyes.

This is when it dawned on me that I was getting OLD.

I looked back at the entrance of Forever 21 with scorn. I didn’t want anything to do with them and their disposable fashion. I like my clothes to last, thankyouverymuch.

I like it when I retrieve my pants from the wash and they’re still intact. I enjoy putting on a shirt without missing buttons or threads hanging off it. I like when my rings don’t give me a green residue around my finger. It’s the little things, right?

So you can take your 19.95 fashions and shove it.

A few weeks later I decided to go back. Like a moth to a flame. I can’t help it, they have some really cute stuff in there. Who cares if it falls apart? I need to participate in trends, and I NEED a floral romper!

I grabbed a few things, considered trying them on, but again found myself unimpressed and a bit lackluster. Maybe it was my blood sugar, did I need a cookie? No, what I needed to do was ride the elevator to the second floor to find the girl’s section.

Jackpot.

I have arrived.

I was excited. I grabbed 12 things and held them up to my daughter, Berlyn.

“Is this cute?” ” Would you wear this? ” “How ’bout this?”  ”This can go with your polka dot leggings.”

I was on fire. I was having so much more fun than when I was shopping for me.

I ended up buying my daughter 4 adorable things for 50 bucks, plus I gained a little perspective too.

Forever 21 isn’t for middle aged moms, it’s for girls!

Duh It’s for girls that have a tiny bit of cash but still love to shop and look awesome. Sure, I can go in and buy a few things here and there, but it’s not really for me. I’ll stick to my more expensive labels, and supplement with a few adorable poly-blends and itchy synthetics.

So what I’m saying is, I get you, Forever 21. I’ll play your game, I’ll wash your garments by hand, and hope they last through the season, because I know it’s not for me. You are for my daughter, my younger sister, my neighbor who sings Nicki Minaj karaoke songs out her open window. I now understand you, I support you.

Carry on.

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