NEW WORD: CLOTHING SHOPPING STRESS

When the invitation for the exclusive presale of the Isabel Marant for H&M collection landed in our inbox this week, there was certainly about a quarter of an hour of enthusiastic cheering and screaming. YES, we get to shop without risking our lives waiting in line at 6:00 AM on the Dam. Last night it was finally time, and on the way there I just saw an Instagram post from Nicolette van Dam saying she was really looking forward to it. Nicolette, Leontien, Wendy, Froukje, Patty – they were all there. At the entrance, we got wristbands, and with that wristband, we could shop for 25 minutes. The pressure became increasingly palpable, and when the first group was allowed to start, group two – including us – was already in the starting blocks. With a cocktail, bien sûr.

I completely shut down due to the enormous crowd around me and actually didn't want to buy anything anymore.

We had of course thought in advance about what we wanted. I had my eye on the ankle boots with fringes, the gray sweater, the shiny skirt, and the dress – as long as the fabric felt nice. When it was finally our turn, everyone rushed inside, dashed to the racks, and I saw everyone walking around with huge piles of clothes over their arms. At that moment, I had nothing. I repeat: no time nothing. What was wrong with me? This couldn't be true? I completely shut down due to the enormous crowd around me and actually didn't want to buy anything anymore. Shopping with others and under pressure is generally difficult for me. I'm always terrible at sample sales too. To be honest, I secretly thought everything was quite expensive. That dress was 100 euros, the skirt 70, the ankle boots 200, the sweater 50, well, that's quite a sum together. Wouldn't I rather buy a new Marc Jacobs bag for that money? But I can't just leave without buying something? That just can't happen. Jet and May-Britt thought so too. You HAVE to buy something, they said. “Here, maybe this children's sweater is something for you,” May-Britt bravely suggested. I consider it a compliment, but trying on clothes for twelve-year-olds, I could only do that when I was twelve. Our 25 minutes were almost up, and I had to take action now now now. I decided on the sweater. But it had to be from the men's section, because that one is extra large and therefore even cozier. As I write this, I'm wearing it, and to be honest, it feels AMAZING. I'm never going to take it off. So, all in all, thanks May and Jet for the final push, and thanks Isabel for the lovely sweater.

When the invitation for the exclusive presale of the Isabel Marant for H&M collection landed in our inbox this week, there was certainly about a….