In the Pink!

The Trials and Tribulations of Finding a Pink Coat

Or maybe I should say the pink coat!

Happy day, reader dear!

What do you do when you find something you’ve been looking for? Do you “Yay!” and get on with it, or do you keep worrying over it and wait for a better one? The perfect one? I struggle with this balance. And I know I’m not the only one…

Barry Schwartz, in his book The Paradox of Choice, talks about two different kinds of people: Satisficers and Maximizers. Satisficers look for what meets their criteria, and go with that, not looking back, or worrying about the other options available. Maximizers feel the need to make “the best” choice, and often make themselves (and others) miserable in the process.

The rub lies in the fact that we are almost all Satisficers and Maximizers. You may not care what you eat, as long as it holds body and soul together, but having “the best” car may consume your days, nights, and dreams. It could be the best jeans, computer, purse, school for your child, grades, phone plan, cable options, health insurance, pen, boyfriend, or dessert. You can’t tell a Maximizer “It doesn’t matter. Just give me whatever…”

Satisficers don’t understand what all the fuss is about. If it meets the requirements, they will take it. If jeans that fit means: They don’t fall down without a belt and are long enough to cover the tops of your shoes, then finding a new pair should be pretty easy. My husband and I are both Satisficers when it comes to cars. When our ancient Volvo finally gave it up, we went to Carmax, and came home with a mini-van the same day. Need wheels. Reliable. Fits family. Fits budget. Done.

So what does this all have to do with the abovementioned pink coat? Well, I’ll admit I am a Maximizer about a lot of things, including my wardrobe (And what I choose for my clients as well, which is a good thing for them!) I have been looking for a pink coat for a few years now. Not looking hard, but just keeping my eye open, and searching randomly online. A few weeks ago, I ran across this…

It should be “perfect”! I’ve been looking for a trench to replace my old (and wearing at the edges) red one. It’s a brand I trust the quality of, and the color fits beautifully with my palette.

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It is longer than I wanted, but that’s not a deal breaker! I can take it to a tailor and have it shortened. The fit was just right. So I steamed it and tried it on…

And I’m not loving it. I feel like a pink beach house, and not in a good way! One issue is the warm toned buttons, and how the three across make a strange accent across my upper chest. The flare doesn’t feel right either, although that may be the way I have it belted. I will try it on a few more times before I take off the tag, to see if it will fall properly now that it’s been out of the packaging for a bit…

So I tried it again… And again. And I’m still not loving it. Part of it is the buttons, and the cut, but really–the color is just too soft. If the weather is lousy and grey, I want a punchy coat to brighten up the day. It needs to go back, which makes me sad, but not as sad as settling for something that my closet wears because it doesn’t make the grade. That would be money very poorly spent. Lesson Learned: My next raincoat needs to be bright! (Even if that’s not the very best for my palette, it’s best for my mood!)

How about you? Where in your life are you a Satisficer? Or a Maximizer? And what color is your raincoat? Let me know in the comments below… I do so love to hear from you!

Stylishly yours,