Two lines.
Posted: June 12, 2006 Filed under: Uncategorized 11 Comments »There are 2 lines that we say a lot here at the Scherer house.
1) What would you do if I was dead?
2) You are not the target audience.
I would like to talk about each on its own merit.
First – What would you do if I was dead? Okay, it’s morbid. I know. But it helps with decision making here. Sometimes, Andrew asks my opinion on something. If I want to know what he really thinks is the right choice, that is the question. And vice versa. It makes us think about the ultimate decisions. What would we decide if we, alone, had to decide. Could we word it in a less obnoxious way? Of course we could. But we’re weird that way. And it works for us.
Second. You are not the target audience. Okay, I come from advertising and marketing. So I am constantly looking at things that way. If I don’t get it, perhaps it wasn’t aimed at me. It happens. Not everything is about me. And I’ve taught Andrew to understand this, as well. So now, he knows it’s not all about him either.
Which brings me to tonight. Our dear friends, Scott & Melissa came for dinner. With their kids (who are great friends with our kids – they do tend to bring out the wildest of each other, but hey, we get to drink 29 year old port together, so who gives a fuck?).
At any rate, tonight, we talked to S & M (funny initials, yes?) about what Melissa was wearing. Among other things. But she had a nice top with embroidery on it. And she told me she got it at Chico’s. OMG. Melissa. STOP. You are too darn young to shop at Chico’s. The target audience is 50+ and you aren’t 40. So stop. NOW. Shop at J. Jill. Shop at Abercrombie, for God’s sake. (at least look at that hot website!) But stay the heck away from Chico’s. It’s not natural. Scott just laughed. Sorry, M. But it’s true. You’re young and beautiful. Don’t do it.
Okay, so we totally gave her a hard time. But seriously, Chico’s has done an amazing job of targeting mid-aged women with nice, but loose fitting clothing that coordinates and looks youthful. I’m impressed. They’ve done well. But those of us who can still fit in seven jeans should wear them, don’t you think? Okay, maybe we shouldn’t show our pupicks (how do you spell that word?) but still….
S & M – we love spending time with you. Even if we do find funny tidbits from our time together. And Scott, I would LOVE to whip your butt in racquetball. Name the time.
First, thanks for dinner and enthralling conversation. Second, not only am I not offended by your Chico’s comments, I am relieved. Each time I shop there a) I feel really young (given the old ladies around me!) and b) can’t seem to find what I want or settle for something, on sale of course! So I would have to agree with you- Aeropostal it is for me from now on! (My dream store would be online with a fitting room!)
Love ya, Melissa
I like the 2 lines. I’m amazed at how capable I am when I’m alone, but put someone in the passenger seat, and I suddenly “require” navigation…both literally and figuratively. I’m often not sure why.
I had 2 uh…more “mature” female friends (pushing 70) take me out for a divorce “celebration” a few years ago, and was told that Chico’s was one of the few stocks they ever bought that they made money from. I ran out to check our first local Chico’s as as a result, and left empty handed. What wasn’t a bit too sequin-y for me was out of my price range. I’m still impressed.
Arg, Chico’s. My MIL just raves about about it, which should keep me out of that store for years to come. One note on the Seven’s jeans – can we all agree that any amount of “muffin top” protruding above the waist-line should be a sign for prospective purchasers to postpone indefinitely?
melissa!! my mother-in-law shops at chicos. wendy is right – you are WAY too young and cute to shop there.
“What would you do if I was dead?” I play this game with my husband all the time! and really, we make it a game.
It usually goes something like, “honey, turn on the lights for goddness sake. What would you do without me? Just sit here in the dark?”
RUN from Chicos!!! That’s almost as bad as shopping at Coldwater Creek.
I think most of us are at that hard to find clothes stage of our lives – I’m not going to shop at Bebe or Forever 21, but I’m not going to the dreaded Chicos either. What does that leave us? Ann Taylor maybe (still not my favorite)
I spoke to a friend of mine who reads the blog but never comments. (you know who you are. shame, shame!) Anyway, she aptly pointed out that Sevens are not necessarily appropriate just because one can fit in them. Even without a muffin top. She’s right. I used to have a friend whose 60 year old mother bought her clothes in the Junior dept. They fit. But ewww.
AND….
I love all your comments! Thanks!
There have been times I’ve leafed through the Chicos catalog (which I receive because i bought my 75 year old mother a gift certificate)and said to myself, “well, that’s not TOO bad.” And then I become sane. To Melissa – you are too beautiful to dress like a 60 something. To ‘Mom of all seasons”, even the leanest of us can sometimes protrude over their sevens, don’t know what muffin top means but I assume it ain’t good. And to Wendy – thanks for the laugh; I’ve been working 24/7 it seems and there’s nothing like your blog to cheer me.
Sorry I’m so late to the comments…Funny, I’m 50, and just about died when you made that comment about Chico’s. I don’t even feel old enough to shop there! I just went with my 75 year old mom, and she bought a slew of clothes there. (I will admit, I almost bought this one cute little tight fitting jacket). But, I’m just not quite ready to cross over!
One we use around here a lot is “Is anybody listening to me?!?!” Then everyone else goes “Wha’ you say?”. Hahah.
I would not purchase clothing at Chicos, but I did find a great bracelet there last summer when I was only 35. I get compliments on it every time I wear it.
I like the “target audience” one. I think I will start using that.