I am not normally an intimidated shopper. I generally dress well and look confident so I feel happy going into all kinds of stores, unless the customer base is teenage, in which case I am well-aware that I stick out like a sore thumb.
I don’t wear head to toe labels, but for work I generally wear classic looks. It’s thus hard to tell my economic status by looking at me, particularly as I usually wear good shoes, handbags and jewellery. I generally go into whatever shop looks interesting. One exception is really expensive stores. I would never go into Cartier or Graff because I am just not their customer base and you have to pass a phalanx of security guards to get in. There would be no point in going there to window shop, and I would feel awkward. I prefer shopping at places which have price tags on the items.
I once went into the Byredo leather goods store in Stockholm because I saw this gorgeous backpack. I like Byredo perfume and have used it in the past, so thought nothing of strolling into the store.
There were no price tags anywhere in the shop (never a good sign for the kind of shopping budget I have) so I innocently asked how much the backpack was. It was $4205/€3700, as were many of the handbags. At that point I always feel awkward. I usually nod, say thank you and then continue casually browsing before I can scuttle out of the shop. The shop associates can see I am not a person who can casually drop that amount on a handbag. They know that and I know that they know that. They are normally polite (though you do get some snobby shop assistants, despite the fact that they probably can’t afford the items either) but I always feel it would be rude to dash out. I never mention the price, just say ‘thank you, it’s lovely’ and continue to browse. It’s strange that with all my years behind me, I still feel awkward browsing in a shop after finding out some of the items cost more than I would earn in a year.
Another embarrassing moment was when I saw this heavy silver necklace in a second hand shop. I asked the woman ‘is this a turd?’ Turns out, nope, it was a cheese puff. Of course I bought it…
I have also become trapped in a dress I was trying on in a changing room and had to call for the shop owner to free me.