What I Learned in Loehmann's Dressing Room

I was recently in a conversation with other some women talking about being women. What differentiates us from men, other than our physical makeup. How we act. How we bond. How we treat each other, even if we are strangers. And, I decided that just about everything I have learned with respect to this, I learned in Loehmann's dressing room. For those of you unfamiliar with Loehmann's, I am not sure I can do it justice. It is the mecca of discount fashion. For some, it is a way of life. It is somewhat of a landmark and in ancient times, I imagine, it was used to provide directions. For example, "Golden Palace has the best chinese food." "Where is Golden Palace?" "You know, in the Loehmann's shopping center." Or, the more familiar, "Who cuts your hair?" "Leonard Golino at LG Salon." "Where is that?" "You know across from Loehmann's on 7th Avenue." "Oh, right."



I can't say I ever remember my first time in Loehmann's. It's almost as though I have been going there my whole life. I ventured there with my mother, my aunt and both grandmothers. And the minute I walk in to any Loehmann's, it is like coming home. Accessories right up from, shoes near the register, clothes racks spread throughout and the hallowed "Back Room" in, where else, the back. Who can forget the chairs upfront, littered with day old newspapers and crowded with the husbands (and wallets) of the women wandering around the racks. And, of course, the dressing room.



No man would survive this place. It is an open room, lined with mirrors, hooks along the walls with a long banquette down the middle. What you see is a mass of undergarments and flesh and women parading themselves, runway style, asking "how does this look?, "what do you think?". At first glance, yo think all these women know each other but, alas, they are strangers. Being in the dressing teaches you humility - you have to have no shame. You are at your most vulnerable - you undress in full sight of other women, all in the name of a bargain, and a good bargain at that. You learn to stand up for yourself. When someone claims your Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress as her own, you let her know it was on your hook. I've actually seen 2 women go at it over a heavily beaded navy gown, stripped down to their skivvies. This place is a war zone. As a young girl, I was a runner. My grandmother would instruct me to locate the St. John jacket, in red, in a 6 (the 8 was a bit too big). Or, the Gottex bathing suit in a 10. As I grew older, I jumped in and became one of them. Finding most of the dresses I wore through my early teens to Bat Mitzvahs there. And, then finally, as an adult I found countless pieces of career wear, sweaters, jackets and shoes.



I, sadly, no longer live in a city with a Loehmann's. But I have always kept the lessons I learned there with me. Humility, pride, vulnerability and the most important lesson of all, it's all worth it for a good bargain.