A Quest for A Brand to Love...

Growing up in another country where you've picked products and brands you like over time, suddenly you're struck with the realisation you need new socks and undies... The risks of bad socks means bunching in your shoes, easily worn out, the seam rubbing your toes, things like that... but undies... undies you risk a wedgie or buying a pair that end up bunched up and saggy leading to some embarrassing attempts at adjustment... and lets be honest.. how many people actually try on either of these things in the supermarket (ew!)?!

Everyone has different requirements and preferences so while a friends opinion is somewhat helpful, you won't know till you have a go! And therein lies the dilemma. These things aren't cheap (well they can be but there's a risk there too!) and while you probably COULD return them to the store (you gotta admit it's kinda gross to think about the next thing you buy being returned by someone so why would you do it?) you probably won't so you need to be prepared to "waste" some money (maybe you could cut them up and take up quilting :P).

With socks I'm a big fan of ankle socks with the tight band around the arch of my foot. I've purchased some new socks here and while they do the job (sometimes), it makes me so pleased anytime I find a pair of my "regular Aussie" socks in the drawer to put on.. even if they're a surviving mismatched pair (their matching pair long since thrown out - there's only so much darning I'm okay with!). The US socks I found are perfectly fine, thinner though and don't have that band on the arch... In a bind they do well... or even as house socks. I know it'll take some time but I'm positive I'll find "the" brand again... hopefully soon.

One brand I'm thinking of is Hanes (well to be honest it's the main one I've heard about so I'll look at more don't worry :D). I heard its good but I need to do some more research first and of course, take the plunge and buy some...

It's just one of those things that you never really think about. Brands you've come to recognise immediately, brands you like, brands you avoid. You know what particular things smell like and taste like, you know what something looks like on... so now you have this whole new adventure... and trauma (not knowing something you considered so basic at home can be pretty overwhelming and distressing).

I'm not saying its always a bad thing, its just something you don't think about. I will admit though when it came to food brands that did stress me out but now I see TV shows and recognise what they're eating, or walk through Walmart and recall a brand from an ad, friends house or previous experience and I feel pretty darn proud of how far I've come :)

It's a small milestone but its one of those things that makes you feel more and more normal.