When l review the search engine words that bring you to this blog, I am sometimes amazed at the words and phrases that actually get you here. Over the past week, one of the phrases intrigued me and that was "women at grocery store wardrobe".
How was it that this particular phrase brought someone to my blog? And what exactly was this person looking for?
Was he or she looking for examples of what women wear when they are grocery shopping? Or was it someone curious about people who buy most of their clothing at grocery stores, such as Joe Fresh at Superstore in Canada or Tissaia at E.Leclerc or Tex at Carrefour in France? What exactly was the person wanting to find with the search phrase, "grocery store wardrobe"?
It did make me think and it did motivate me to write this post.
Interpretation 1: What are women wearing when they go to the grocery store? Insofar as grocery stores go, I can't imagine that this particular destination inspires women to wear a particular style of clothing. The grocery store is a destination only because of necessity and does not have specific wardrobe requirements. On the way home from work, dashing out to pick something up, or making a weekly replenishment of supplies hardly deserves a specific wardrobe. However, thinking about my past, I do remember my mother getting "dressed" to go shopping. That was the sixties and seventies and as a "housewife" her weekly shopping trip was in fact an occasion of sorts. In fact my mother did "dress" for this shopping trip, which included the grocery store in addition to other shopping. Now, what did she wear? I don't recall but I do know she never just dashed out to pick up a few things and so sweat pants, t-shirt and runners never would have been something she wore to go "shopping".
I have previously written about Sarah Turnbull's experience in her book Almost French (2004) when her husband suggested that she not go to the bakery dressed in her "gymnastic pantaloons". If the expectation for me as a consumer is to dress to show respect for the vendor, then of course, I would expect particular dress from the vendors. It does seem the way in France, but even that is changing with more casual dress for all concerned, especially in the country.
Interpretation 2: Or was the search phrase aimed at styles that could be chosen from the grocery store aisles? I have been known to pick up Joe Fresh t-shirts at Superstore in Canada and linen or cotton shorts and t-shirts at Leclerc in France but that would be about all. Perhaps there are women and men who choose to buy their entire wardrobes from the grocery store. Is it possible? I suppose it might be depending upon your lifestyle.
Interpretation 3: Or was the person looking for something akin to the site featuring the bizarre dress of shoppers at a particular American department store (Walmart). Goodness knows, I have never seen anyone wearing anything near what is posted on that particular site. Where in the world of Walmarts are the photographers getting these shots? Mind, the last time I was in a Walmart in Canada, it was because I heard that they stocked Bonne Maman jam.
I still am perplexed and certainly curious about exactly what that person was searching for.
How was it that this particular phrase brought someone to my blog? And what exactly was this person looking for?
Was he or she looking for examples of what women wear when they are grocery shopping? Or was it someone curious about people who buy most of their clothing at grocery stores, such as Joe Fresh at Superstore in Canada or Tissaia at E.Leclerc or Tex at Carrefour in France? What exactly was the person wanting to find with the search phrase, "grocery store wardrobe"?
It did make me think and it did motivate me to write this post.
Interpretation 1: What are women wearing when they go to the grocery store? Insofar as grocery stores go, I can't imagine that this particular destination inspires women to wear a particular style of clothing. The grocery store is a destination only because of necessity and does not have specific wardrobe requirements. On the way home from work, dashing out to pick something up, or making a weekly replenishment of supplies hardly deserves a specific wardrobe. However, thinking about my past, I do remember my mother getting "dressed" to go shopping. That was the sixties and seventies and as a "housewife" her weekly shopping trip was in fact an occasion of sorts. In fact my mother did "dress" for this shopping trip, which included the grocery store in addition to other shopping. Now, what did she wear? I don't recall but I do know she never just dashed out to pick up a few things and so sweat pants, t-shirt and runners never would have been something she wore to go "shopping".
I have previously written about Sarah Turnbull's experience in her book Almost French (2004) when her husband suggested that she not go to the bakery dressed in her "gymnastic pantaloons". If the expectation for me as a consumer is to dress to show respect for the vendor, then of course, I would expect particular dress from the vendors. It does seem the way in France, but even that is changing with more casual dress for all concerned, especially in the country.
Interpretation 2: Or was the search phrase aimed at styles that could be chosen from the grocery store aisles? I have been known to pick up Joe Fresh t-shirts at Superstore in Canada and linen or cotton shorts and t-shirts at Leclerc in France but that would be about all. Perhaps there are women and men who choose to buy their entire wardrobes from the grocery store. Is it possible? I suppose it might be depending upon your lifestyle.
Interpretation 3: Or was the person looking for something akin to the site featuring the bizarre dress of shoppers at a particular American department store (Walmart). Goodness knows, I have never seen anyone wearing anything near what is posted on that particular site. Where in the world of Walmarts are the photographers getting these shots? Mind, the last time I was in a Walmart in Canada, it was because I heard that they stocked Bonne Maman jam.
I still am perplexed and certainly curious about exactly what that person was searching for.
It's nice to see the diversity that goes on in your posts and what gets searched.
ReplyDeleteBack in the '60's or '70's getting dressed up for almost anything seemed like the thing to do. Now days when I'm at the grocery store I see a wide variety of personal styles. Business clothes or people likely coming from work to sweatpants and pajamas. I guess whatever works for the individual.
With places like Superstore, Target and Walmart that sell groceries and clothes, maybe someone does buy their entire wardrobe there. I'm sure there's some pretty nice stuff and likely inexpensive.
Regardless, it is an interesting search.
It is an interesting search and it has motivated me to observe the women and men here in France who are buying "grocery store" brands of clothing. For the most part, over the past week of observations, the "clothing shopper at the grocery store" appears to be older/elderly - maybe 60s and 70s or quite a bit younger such as young families with toddlers and elementary school aged children. I haven't seen many 20 to 50 "singles" buying clothing in the grocery stores. There just may be another post here. Insofar as "studies" go, mine are not so reliable or valid but it makes grocery shopping a tad more interesting.
DeleteI think your observations in France are similar to what we see in Canada. Elderly people, most likely on a budget or don't care about designer fashion and families with young kid who will out grow clothes very quickly are most likely to clothes shop at grocery stores. I'm all for it. There is obviously a market there and that's why they do it.
DeleteJust to focus on the younger generation I'm going to share my thoughts. It might be a great motivating factor to wear "grocery store clothes" as a youth. Hopefully it will motive the younger generation to want designer clothes and look "more" fashion conscious. Hopefully it will make them realize money doesn't grow on trees and if you want something nice, you have to work for it. Hopefully it will teach kids the relationship between work and money. I see too many young people wanting more for doing less.
Opps, I also see myself getting on a rant here. Better end this for now.
Funny! I believe this is the same rant every generation claims against the youth of the day. I remember my mother telling me that "money doesn't grow on trees".
DeleteAnd you know I am not above buying $8. (Cdn) t-shirts at Superstore or 4Euro t-shirts at E.Leclerc. In fact, I know a woman who is well known at Holt Renfrew in Calgary and leaves a generous part of her income there, who also feels the same about Joe Fresh $8. t-shirts.