Shopping For Film Costumes During COVID-19
Credits: Selfie outside of South Centre Mall
Whoever penned that phrase, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” only knew part of that ideal story. While I do believe in the sentiment, find what you enjoy and do that, get to that top of Maslow, everybody, I don’t think the author knew about the implications on everyday work compliments of COVID-19.
When I tell people that part of my job is personal shopping – for real life clients and for characters we see on the big, and more recent, streaming screen – half of people are delighted and their eyes start to sparkle and the other half say, “I HATE shopping. That must be the worst.” I don’t know who to believe these days.
I’m kidding. I love shopping. My truest love.
Eleven Calgary months into this pandemic thing and I haven’t really stopped. Of course, a vast bulk of my approach has shifted to online. I don’t mean to brag (but I’m going to brag) I am pretty good at finding clothing online. If you give me a sample image of what you’re looking for, I can usually sniff it out. Western shirt with a double pinstripe and curb collar? You got it. Can I find that lavender bridesmaid dress to match one you pinned last year? You betcha. It’s one of those things: the more you practice, the better you become. Relying heavily online has helped reduce the time needed to go into actual stores. Often times it can be a purchase ahead and do the quick in and out pickup type activity.
When I do have to go into stores to make selections, I am geared up. Face mask: check. 70% alcohol spray in my small spritz bottle: check. List of essentials: check. Most efficient route pre-planned out: check. Frequent stops to wash my hands: check, check. Honestly, other than the spacing out and PPE, my strategy is somewhat the same.
I will say that the shopping process just takes longer. It makes sense why: cashier cleaning between customers, reduced sales staff, and reduced stock all contribute to more time needed to get the job done. I’m not complaining, I like it actually. By reducing the amount of folx in a space, my super style savvy eyes can whiz through sections faster without all the extra bodies clogging up my view.
What I do miss are my self-mandated regroup breaks in the food court. Pre-pandemic, I would grab a coffee and sit down with my list and do a quick check on my progress. Now I eat my pre-packed lunch in my car and do the same run through. Funny enough, I don’t think to grab a takeout coffee to my car. Maybe it’s too sad or something that I can’t people watch as I sip and strategize. I KNOW it must be said seeing me in the driver’s seat, parked, using my nifty, reusable fork and knife to gobble up last night’s green beans. One day I’ll eat indoors in public again, right?
The other rather huge thing that you can only see in person is the fabric, the craftsmanship, and the quality of a garment. For me, I can tell a bit when something is going to look cheap online but it’s not easy. The internet hides a whole manner of sins. Fabric included. I love to look at the garment, touch and feel the fabric, look at the seams inside and out to see the piece. No, not every client or viewer at home cares, but some do. I am so thankful for our disinfectant foggers and sanitization between touches on sets and in the stores or else I would be one sad sartorial lady. Yes, it’s fabulous to look at clothes, but I want to feel them – literally and figuratively – too. Le sigh.
I saw a keychain today that read, “It’s going to be so good so soon.” I choose to believe that. Yes, it’s been a hard go, but a year or two in the grand scheme of my entire life is not the hugest deal. While we wait for folx to get vaccinated, I’ll keep my PPE close by and my high speed internet juiced and continue to click and pay. Hooray!
