One-Dollar Wonders

I have been looking out for galaxy print items for... maybe 2 years? I think it was 2 Spring seasons ago that I passed up a galaxy print AS tank top, and I still regret it. Hot/sticky weather dresses are also one category that can count as a hole in my casual wardrobe.

I like this one alot, even though it would still be about $70 after a coupon. The loose fit and sleeveless nature seems good for 80-degree-plus jaunts to the swap meet/beach/etc. The black color would hide pit sweat well. The model is 5'10", so it would be much longer on 5'4" me... *possibly* even long enough to make it work for the office if I layered a cami underneath and a jacket over the top. Thinking it would also work for band performances.

Wondering if you might see something I don't - I have a hard time seeing pattern placement issues and things like that. Thoughts?

I'm definitely not keeping the green one (too herve leger for me), and I'm probably not keeping the navy/white one, but I thought you guys would want to know, since they're only $20. Also in coral white and charcoal/black. The navy and coral versions are cotton/spandex, while the other two are poly/rayon. In the juniors section, and I have Ms on in the pics.

Any opinions on #1? I'm leaning toward return 'cuz it seems too skimpy for casual dress and too casual for going out. I do sometimes wear shorter dresses in summer, but something about this is different.

I was thinking of these for spring, but all I kept pulling out of my closet was wintry stuff. I even pulled the brown jacket in #3 out of the donate pile.

Out of everything, I like #8 the best for what I was going for.

I could also see loving them with #9 and #10, which are unfortunately stored ATM.

These would also be ideal clubbing shoes: funky and comfy.

The question is: do I need these? Are they enriching the wardrobe or is this a case where my short booties would be just fine?

I don't shop retail all that much - we all know I'm cheap. When I do shop a retail establishment, I expect that that higher price tag will bring a level of service I don't get when scrounging through random piles of cast-offs at the swap meet. I expect to have the luxury of easy (read: hassle and argument-free) returns and of easy shopping. This is what retail establishments are supposed to provide, right?

But I returned two pairs of boots to Piperlime, both delivered and signed for by them on the 5th, and I've yet to receive even an email confirmation acknowledging the process. I even emailed them, explaining that tracking information says they've received the boots, and was flat-out told that their records show they aren't there. Since then, I've received AND returned a pair of boots from Endless.com with zero confusion or delay - so I know it can be done... just not by Piperlime.

Piperlime's sister company, Gap, is just as irritating. During a 30% off sale, I searched on their website for their "Sloan" slacks and checked the filter for size 2. It brought me to the product page, and I placed my order... only to discover today - a full week later as I was checking on the tracking status - that I'd somehow ordered a 2P. I did not search in the petites section, and I did not filter for petites. How did I end up with a 2P on my order? Must have been bad luck. Good thing the sale is still going, right? Well, after work I raced to my local BR to buy my size 2s, lest my size sell out and force me to wait more multiple weeks for an online exchange, only to find out that the same pants are NOT on sale in-store... even though they are currently displayed in the back with all the other sale items.

To top it all off, I came home to a shiny new AllSaints delivery and pulled out my long-admired Stallion Dress to try on. Hm. Ok. The self-tie belt is completely missing from the garment.

Sigh. I'm even more bothered and frustrated than after an unproductive day of swap hunting - at least there, you expect shopping to be an ordeal, and you can be ready for it. I guess I am not a hardened, veteran retail shopper and have not been desensitized to poor attention to detail and slow service. I will have to wait and see what kind of solution AllSaints offers, but I know I will never shop at Banana Republic or Piperlime again. I will stick with Amazon, Endless, and Nordstrom, who have all provided excellent, speedy, friendly service through purchases, returns, exchanges, and defective item issues.

Do you all find chain stores to be equally frustrating? Can we compile a list here of the good ones, versus the ones to avoid?

UPDATE: Allsaints responded to me this morning and said they would check the warehouse for a belt to send to me. I'm going to ask about the possibility of a return as well. To their credit so far, the response time was very fast.

Gap Update: Although initially telling me that their system would not allow an exchange of my pants for the correct size, after I explained what I'd been through, the associate assured me she could return the 2Ps and then give me the sale price on the 2s. I'm about 80% happy - would be happier if my Piperlime returns had gone through and allowed me to use my gift cards for the purchase, and if I'd gotten the right size to start with.