Oh,Nordstrom Rack. Anyway, the only clothes I can buy before I get a job are a pair of capris and a few t-shirts.

I hear ya. I feel very odd about the whole thing, but a friend of mine who makes very good money offered to take me on this mini-makeover. I'm very grateful. And I'm trying not to feel too horribly guilty. My usual would have been to say "Thank you so much, but I couldn't possibly".

that Rock Center thing isn't a whole (department) store

What is it?

Nordstrom's has personal shoppers. That elevates it above most department stores for me right there. They also sell Smashbox and DKNY sports bras. I don't go to department stores looking for many things, but those two are on my constantly-replenish shopping list.

Mostly I don't want to buy "real" clothes, because I don't know what my next "dress code" will end up being like. I imagine needing a couple suits and a couple of blazers, but not if I end up at a casual place.

What is it?

It's a Façonnable boutique.

It's a Façonnable boutique.

And what's that?

I don't know what my next "dress code" will end up being like

Is it likely to be as dressed down as jeans? Even so, if you need tops, it should be pretty easy to buy some simple ones that'll go with jeans as well as with suits, and not cost that much money. Shopping for pants and skirts gets more complicated, but even so, short of a 5 day a week suit environment, skirts that can be dressed up with a blazer or function as business casual might be possible to shop for as well.

Well, Nordstrom Rack is an outlet store and thus isn't all that different from shopping at (c)Ross Dress-for-Less as far as the experience is concerned.

Although, damn, are the clothes better quality. Except for the absurdly big-name designer stuff, the prices are maybe a few dollars different than Ross's but it's all so very worth it. Hec almost had a clothesgasm the first time I dragged him there to look for blazers and shoes for work.

I doubt I'll ever be able to afford Nordstrom itself, but I am completely and utterly the Rack's bitch.

Wow. Personal shoppers? I assume that's an extra service.

Speaking of department stores, I really miss the Bullocks of Pasadena, CA. It was a classic '20s (possibly '30s) era department store. Lots of polished stone, brass, and old signs. Just too cool.

Any clothing is an improvement at this point. The weight gain has made it so that very little fits me. I constantly wear the LL Bean jeans I have. I've been wearing them so much for the last year that they've got holes everywhere. On any given day, the clothes I'm wearing include something I got for free or a gift. Because it's been that long since I was able to afford new clothing. (Okay, honestly it's a matter of priorities. If it's between tech stuff that might help me train for a job and clothing, I'm picking the tech stuff.)

Lunch has created a ball of molten lava in my stomach. Need to curl up in a ball someplace and whimper. There's no way I can go home sick at 2pm on a Friday. It just looks suspicious.

but I am completely and utterly the Rack's bitch.

Totally. I swing through there all the time.