My Old Addiction

I was once a regular Victoria’s Secret catalog shopper. It started when I was stationed overseas. I was too big for the local Japanese clothes and the options at the PX were limited. Instead, I regularly ordered clothing from VS (and Delia*s – what can I say? I was young!) After moving back to the States, I continued to order most of my clothing from catalogs. Victoria’s Secret remained a mainstay, and Newport News replaced Delia*s. Eventually, the harsh realities of homeownership, a lower income, and a sick credit card bill put an end to my catalog shopping. I fell in love with thrifting and started tossing the catalogs as soon as they arrived.

Six years later, my habits have changed, again. I’m time starved and shop in or next to my customers during the week, rather than plan long thrifting excursions on the weekend. I love the hip boutique offerings and feel good about shopping local. My new strategy, though, does not address sleepwear or intimates.

Beefy recently commented on the sad state of my bras and I realized I hadn’t bought a new one in two years. My sleepwear is equally faded and stretched out of shape. Instead of wasting time at the mall (and enduring the triple digit temperatures), I just stayed home and typed in victoriassecret.com.

I stayed on task long enough to select the needed items, and then wandered over the sale section where I found some non-intimate clothing that I simply had to add to my shopping bag.


Blouse, Victoria’s Secret. Skirt, Body by Victoria. Shoes, Prabal Gurung for Target. Earrings, My Sister’s Closet. Bag, Walgreen’s.

I may have returned to my old habit, but my tastes have changed. I’m no longer interested in sexy tees or polyester suit separates. Instead, I’m looking for creative work wear in natural fibers. I’m very happy with this silk shirt and 97% cotton skirt.


Some of my old VS purchases (many under the Moda International label):


Red faux-shirt bodysuit and red tweed pants, pink faux-shirt bodysuit, white faux-shirt bodysuit, black suit jacket.


Tweed skirt, brown (polyester!) trousers, green tweedy coat, pink sweater.


Khaki trousers (just like the brown ones), pink sweater and striped (green on white) trousers, blue shrug, red sweater.


Mini-caftan, green cardigan and striped (pink on white) trousers, brown 2-piece gown, green jacket.


Gray tulip skirt (and the red faux-shirt bodysuit, again), pink shirt, black skirt (that goes with the black suit jacket pictured earlier), black top.


Navy suit, black cardigan, green pumps, denim dress.


Corduroy miniskirt.
Now you understand why I had a crazy credit card bill.

Recognize any of these pieces from my current wardrobe?