MetaChat - Wah! I just want this one simple thing!

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02 August 2006

Wah! I just want this one simple thing! What's something you've been lookng for that should be easy to find, but isn't - that one simple thing that just keeps eluding you? →[More:]

For me, it's a white, short-sleeved, soft, loose, button-up, collared blouse in rayon, silk, linen, or soft cotton. Basically, what I'm talking about here is an ordinary white blouse.

I have one in rayon that's so light and comfortable in the summer that I've literally worn it to shreds, and evidently IT CANNOT BE REPLACED.

First of all, 99 percent of all clothing sold is tight, clingy, grotesque polyester. Second of all, try to find something that doesn't have rhinestones, ruffles, net inserts, a thousand weird straps, or something like "bitch" written on it. JUST TRY. GO AHEAD! DO IT!!! (Did I mention that this might turn into a shouting thread?)

post by: taz at: 09:11 | 44 comments

I had a similar conundrum a year ago trying to find plain black dress pants, w/o pleats.

My current conundrum is trying to find a piece of furniture that is like the bottom half of an entertainment center, with sliding doors and shelves so I can put my record player, NES, DVD player and other stuff inside of it. I want it to be an antique though, and since I don't know wtf to call something like that, I'll never find it.

posted by sciurus 02 August | 09:20

Plain black pants that can be dressed up or dressed down. That fit me. I have one pair that I got 4 years ago, and am now trying to ration wearings because they look so good. Fit perfectly. They go with t-shirts as well as pretty blouses. They look good with lace ups or heels.

I will never have another pair of pants like them.

posted by gaspode 02 August | 09:25

Try "buffet" sciurus. (Though you'll probably have to modify it... and no sliding doors, I would think, unless it's "vintage" instead of antique).

Yes. Black pants are really hard... And they also should be pretty easy. I mean everybody needs a few good pair of plain black pants. The stores should be bursting with them.

posted by taz 02 August | 09:28

Hm. This is close to what I want, except it is not mission oak and is too tall and too long.

And you'd think Greece would be bursting with white loose-fitting clothing, so when you spill wine and ouzo on it you have an excuse to take it off and make out in the salty Mediterranean air.

posted by sciurus 02 August | 09:34

Is it like this taz?

posted by essexjan 02 August | 09:36

This buffet would be almost exactly right if it were half as tall and had no drawers.

posted by sciurus 02 August | 09:37

If I could just find a pair of black Carhartts that fit without me having to hem up the leg, I would buy a dozen pairs and never run out of pants again.

posted by cmonkey 02 August | 09:41

Yes, something like that... but not so long, jan. The one I had (well, have, but can't wear outside anymore) was nice and floppy. Maybe a better way of saying that is that it draped beautifully... but, you know, floppy.

Sciurus - also try "sideboard".

posted by taz 02 August | 09:45

Mauna Loa Island Fruit & Nut Mix. I have yet to find it anywhere in NYC.

posted by jonmc 02 August | 09:48

Yeah, I was going to recommend sideboard, too. Or even "console cabinet."

I wish you luck, taz. Simple clothes are so freakin' hard to find these days unless you want to pay big money. And kids clothes are no better. Who the hell would put their preschooler in a spangly t-shirt that says "Flirt?"

posted by jrossi4r 02 August | 09:51

I don't know what I'd do for clothes if I didn't sew and knit. Shopping retail frustrates the hell out of me.

posted by Orange Swan 02 August | 09:54

Sauder calls what I want a Credenza.

Holy shit, this one is awesome.

posted by sciurus 02 August | 09:54

For years I've said that I should open a shop called "Simple Things", and sell only black, white, and beige classic items in natural fabrics. All simple lines and great quality.

posted by taz 02 August | 09:59

I would shop there, taz.

posted by gaspode 02 August | 09:59

sciurus, that's gorgeous!

posted by taz 02 August | 09:59

cmonkey, Sierra Trading Post often has closeout/irregular/etc Carhartt pants (and, as is often the case in these situations, they've often got weird sizes--or doesn't Carhartt make the size you need?).

Me, I want some glass piercing jewelry that's the color of brown bottle glass, and a couple rare-and-specific early-'90s mountain bike parts, and the Mario Kart DS stylus with the little kart on top, and some low-cut black Sabra Negev sneakers, and this cap, except without the white panel, and a not-New-Era-style Arkansas Travelers cap. Wait, that's quite a few things.

posted by box 02 August | 10:00

A black goldfish like Arnold and Willis Drummond had

posted by Joe Famous 02 August | 10:02

Taz and Gaspode: no doubt there would be a bit of expense and hassle involved, but it might be worth it (considering that these are perfect garments you have) to have them copied by a pro. I have a falling-to-bits summer dress that I would like to do this with, but I can’t find the right kind of vintagey-looking patterned rayon.

There was an AskMe thread last spring on this – “reverse-engineering” they called it.

posted by sophieblue 02 August | 10:02

I think that was an angelfish, joe.

posted by jonmc 02 August | 10:04

Sandwich cookies, where the cookie part is chocolate and the cream center is lemon flavored. I think Keebler used to call them Opera Creames.

posted by PinkStainlessTail 02 August | 10:04

A hamper like this that only makes a 12"x12" footprint. I'm actually considering making one, although I haven't worked out just how, yet.

posted by amro 02 August | 10:06

'Reverse engineering,' teehee. I'm glad someone was able to take custom-made clothing and nerd it up.

I don't remember the Diff'rent Strokes fish, but black goldfish are readily available. They've been breeding goldfish, after all, for thousands of years.

posted by box 02 August | 10:06

sophieblue - look for fabrics on the net... I like patterns, so I'm always looking at old fabrics on websites, and see some gorgeous material. Also, if you post a pic of the fabric, I'll keep my eyes open.

posted by taz 02 August | 10:07

Sorry... I meant to say vintage fabrics.

posted by taz 02 August | 10:10

We have a black goldfish. Only he's not black anymore. He turned gold. Apparently, they do that.

posted by jrossi4r 02 August | 10:10

I'm having trouble finding a couple pieces of furniture too. I want:

- a entertainment unit with cupboard doors so the TV can be out of sight when it's not on. I want it in an oak or pine finish, classic in style, and I don't want it to be huge, not much bigger than, say, 24" wide, 20" deep, and 50" tall

- a oval coffee table in a vaguely Queen Anne style, again in oak or pine. The ones I find are all too low and look silly in front of my high couch. I'd like it to be 18" or so.

posted by Orange Swan 02 August | 10:11

How about this taz, but in white?

posted by essexjan 02 August | 10:14

amro, what you've pictured DOES only make a 12x12 footprint.

scurius, I could have told you "credenza" ages ago! Come to me with all your furniture needs!

Jon, it was a black goldfish, named Abraham.

posted by Specklet 02 August | 10:14

I can't believe I couldn't think of credenza. They're totally going to revoke my housewife status.

posted by jrossi4r 02 August | 10:24

Thanks, Taz (re: fabric stuff)! I'm pretty open-minded about the pattern, but the nicer vintage rayon I've found online tends to only be available in small pieces. This archival site (the "electronic swatchbook") has beautiful examples -- I like a lot of the 1923 swatches (the older ones not so much), and am partial to the tiny abstract patterns.

posted by sophieblue 02 August | 10:24

Specklet - I know, it's out of stock, though. And has been for quite some time.

posted by amro 02 August | 10:25

That's it, jan! What I had was similar to this (horrible photo), but not plus-size.

posted by taz 02 August | 10:38

That one was from QVC, taz. They don't ship outside the US so you'd need someone in the States to get it for you.

I found that when I searched for 'campshirt' I found looser shirts, not fitted. Like this one. And this.

posted by essexjan 02 August | 10:54

taz, I think Simple Things is actually White House/Black Market.

posted by ferociouskitty 02 August | 11:02

Taz, I can highly recommend the TravelSmith stuff. I got my mom some stuff from there & it both looks good & fits nice.

posted by dame 02 August | 11:04

Taz?

posted by SassHat 02 August | 11:23

I'd kill for comfortable cotton bikini underwear in plus sizes. Cute and sexy would be a bonus. I've looked everywhere. Lane Bryant had some, but they still fit weird. My favorite panties were, of course, discontinued from Kohls, of all places. I wish I'd bought a hundred pair.

Every fall I too go on a pilgrimage for black pants suitable for work. I have the best luck at Macy's and Lord & Taylor. Jones New York's the best fitting brand I've ever found. I wish I could wear Ann Taylor. Their clothes are beautiful; simple, clean lines in neutral colors. Expensive, but nice. If I lose enough weight, my mom promised me a new wardrobe (which is a little demented, I realize).

posted by Pips 02 August | 11:25

Thanks, jan! I don't know if I'll order online, but frustration may drive me to it. "Campshirts" shows me a lot more possibilities.

ferociouskitty, white house/black market is way too fancy! They have patterns and stuff... I'm talking all solid white, black or beige. But, yeah... stuff like this.

Travelsmith isn't really set up to do international shipping, unfortunately. They don't give info for shipping prices, and you can't order online... You have to call or mail them. Oye!

Almost, Sass... if they would just throw out the polyester!

posted by taz 02 August | 11:27

Check yer email taz

posted by essexjan 02 August | 11:30

Specklet - I know, it's out of stock, though.

Oh.

posted by Specklet 02 August | 11:46

Funny that Travelsmith doesn't do international. If you really like something you may want to call them, though; their operators are helpful.

posted by dame 02 August | 12:00

taz, I would so shop at your store, especially if it carried larger sizes. What I have a helluva time finding is cool, stylish clothes that fit my 6', ample-bosomed frame. All I seem to be able to find is stuff so hideous and shapeless that even Crazy Aunt Ethel wouldn't wear it or really cool clothes that cost a small fortune. Also, stylin' affordable shoes in my size. Hey--if my feet were smaller I'd end up falling over on my face all the time.

A couple of years ago, I went on a major quest for egg cups. You know, the things you put your boiled egg into so it doesn't go rolling around the plate spilling yolk everywhere. To my shocked bafflement, no-one seemed to carry them or even know what I was talking about. I ended up with ones I don't particularly love, but that do the trick. Now I see them everywhere. Go figure.

posted by elizard 02 August | 13:22

I was going to suggest buffet but taz beat me to it. I hope having more terms is helping your search, sciurus. And thumbs up for liking Mission style furniture. It's my favourite but I like the darker stuff.

Me? I'm looking for my marbles. I'm sure I lost them somewhere around here...

posted by deborah 02 August | 13:35

I really have no option to like Mission furniture. I was surrounded by it growing up and it infiltrated my skull.

posted by sciurus 03 August | 07:26

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