Trim Toggery

My fashion mantra ['Is it clean? Y/N'] is not one that can be considered ... um ... cutting-edge. Or a fashion mantra at all, if we're honest. More a reflection on my religious views on personal hygiene. But clothes, clean or otherwise, wear out and though the threshold is high, sometimes I have to admit defeat when a favourite t-shirt is more than 60% air, courtesy of too many washes or too many encounters with over-enthusiastic pets, and go shopping. The mere thought of this makes me a little queasy. I have always hated shopping. I put it down to one too many unpleasant experiences in my childhood, when I had to trail after my  mother from one shop to the next while I was made increasingly uncomfortable because nothing she suggested would be met with anything but mute disapproval. It's much the same today, on those rare occasions we shop together, but we seem to have reached an 'It's not you, it's me' sort of accord where she doesn't make any suggestions and I try to keep my shit together when I can't find what I want. Things go much better when I happen to be out with my dad, probably because a) he doesn't have a strong opinion about women's clothing and b) he is aware of this. Genetics aside, I don't think I could be any more similar to the man.

So the time comes. I am reduced to a rotation of the same 4 t-shirts to last the week. I can no longer ignore the fact that it is only the fit of my pants that stops my underwear from ending up around my ankles in a poorly elasticated heap. I honestly begin to consider duct tape as a solution to the impending loss of sole that faces my trusty [and entirely counterfeit] Chucks. Yup, time to go shopping. Once I get over the slight panic attack that accompanies anything having to do with an ATM withdrawal, I make a list. Pair of jeans, new undies, pair of shoes and as many t-shirts as I can afford. So about 2. The thought of heading to a shopping centre makes me pale and consider moving to Tibet, shaving my head and becoming a monk. The Internetz saves the day, as usual. But where to look? Clothing websites need to meet some criteria to even be considered for the task. Firstly, and obviously, they must ship to our little island. I have many times been the victim of garment-directed lust to the point of actually figuring out the conversion rate between dollar and euro, when I discover that the company doesn't send to such far-flung places as the middle of the continent. To hell with the Phoenicians, Romans, Ottomans, Knights of St John and Gaddafi [too soon?] who thought this tiny crumb of land was worth defending, investing in, fortifying and be-harbouring for like.. ever. You can get your Star Wars socks elsewhere, thank you very much.

On realizing the injustice of Location Discrimination (C)

So we've found websites [or eBay sellers] that ship to Malta. Excellent. Half the battle won. Now what?

Now, dear friends, we go trawling through endless pages of temptation in search of the really necessary items. Below are some of my favourite clothing websites.

Wicked Cloth -  A great place for ideas and just general drooling. Not all the pictures link to an online outlet though, which can be terribly disappointing.

Why, yes I do!

Etsy - You've all heard me wax lyrical about this treasure trove. I've never bought clothing as such from here but I've bought hats, jewellery, bags [oh, the bags!], countless gifts and a variety of other mostly useless but terribly cute stuff. I love that everything is handmade and often customizable.  

Theadless - Oh Threadless how I love you! This website can keep my attention for the best part of an hour which we know is quite a feat. I adore t-shirts, possibly the only actual staple of my wardrobe and predictably, I like spending a good deal of time in picking them out. In fact, there is Threadless package currently on its way over here right now!

Next purchase!

Polyvore - Not technically a purchasing website per se but sometimes a girl needs ideas, y'know?

I own about 50% of the items above

Asos - I don't often use this one because it rarely carries anything that I really fancy but the collection wouldn't be complete without this giant and I have bought some pretty neat shit from there.

This went out of stock about ten seconds after I found it. Good thing too or I may have had to resort to unsavoury means to pay it off. What does a semi-healthy liver go for these days anyway?

Cafe Press - I'm a sucker for lame novelty tees. Even more so when said lameness is to do with science/dogs/puns. 

I can barely contain the geeky squeal of amusement

Zenni Optical - This website was a godsend when I was thinking about getting new glasses. I usually find it very difficult to track down shades that suit my face and then the price tag is usually most displeasing, particularly for the impermanently employed student with a limited income. But for 20 euro and within ten days, I received my rather snazzy glasses and have no complaints to speak of [not that there haven't been, mind]. When I find the cash to get another pair, I'll buy a dark pair for summer. 

eBay - Well duh. You can find anything on eBay and I've snagged a couple of great bargains. I'm not fussy about things being used [heck, what's the washing machine for otherwise?] but I get why people may be a little hesitant when it comes to buying 2nd hand. Something about beggars and choosers really, when it comes to stretching your hard-earned euro note.

There are of course limits.

So childrenz. What are you favourite online clothing stores?