Dear residents of Westport,
I need to raise a very sensitive topic.
Please don’t be alarmed or offended. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I’ve realised we are in the middle of a drought. And upon further investigation, I’ve realised it’s much more serious than first thought.
Unlike the extreme weather patterns of Australia, where one minute there’s flooding and the next minute the earth is parched… we don’t even have the luxury of a smattering of light rain on this issue.
Nope, we have a full on drought here.
There is a full on sexy drought in Westport.
You heard that right. A sexy drought.
It’s become clear to me that Westport is not the sexiest place to live. We have NO, that’s zero, zilch, nil, nada… decent lingerie shops in Westport. None.
In Westport our minds are on other things. More important things, like the Holcim demolition, Waste to Energy, the Kawatiri Coastal Cycle Trail, ban 1080, coastal erosion, jobs, a lack of off-season employment, a lack of workers at other times of year, the cost of petrol and groceries. It’s been a tough few years for our community and Westport is all about being practical.
We need to be rugged up, as warm as toast, in sensible night wear for the long cold winter ahead. We need night attire that can also double as day wear for the more daring of our residents who sometimes venture out to the dairy or the supermarket to grab supplies. And with that thought firmly plastered forefront of your mind, it’s no wonder our residents are not racing around sporting a lot of satin and lace.
However, as amusing as that may sound, this is no laughing matter. You see, I wasn’t even looking for sexy lingerie. I actually just stumbled onto this problem of mammoth proportions after heading into town to buy a nice satin or silky night shirt to replace my well-worn tattered oversize tee that now needs a new home as a duster.
And there was not a scrap of cute or silky to be found.
Even Postie Plus – our salvation and one stop store for everything from leggings, jeggings, bras, undies, dresses, formal, casual and active wear, fell well short of the mark. All their nightwear was either polar fleece, cotton over sized tees or flannelette.
Hey I’m not wanting a kinky number or anything like that… but this just makes me feel so sad. I’m feeling sorry for myself and I’m feeling even sorrier for the population of Westport. We need more colour, sparkle and shiny things in our lives!
So, please help me out with this one…
- If someone needs their fix of pretty, where do they go?
- Has online shopping killed retail therapy in its original form?
- Is it Nelson or Christchurch, or are there options in Greymouth?
- Are we living in the least sexy town in New Zealand?
And finally, just a general question to anyone who might feel like answering; what lengths would you go to, to find a decent lingerie shop?
Perhaps there’s an opportunity for someone entrepreneurial to set up a tastefully done R18 shop in this town.
Peaches and Cream… Any takers?
oh gawd………………dont wait for local intervention get to Anne Summers pronto gal X
Great advice, thanks Alison! I’m getting online as we speak…
That’s interesting, I live in Texas and I heard on the radio that a popular sexy panty store was closing some of its stores.. I don’t know if you heard of it, it’s called Victoria Secret. So, I don’t know what the deal is, maybe people have stopped caring about dressing sexy. I don’t know. Or maybe more people are just buying more and more things online instead. I shop at amazon, and there’s plenty of sexy things on there. Also I believe Victoria Secret also is available online.
Hi Buffy, thanks and yes I have heard of Victoria Secret. I’m pretty sure that’s still a very successful brand, so maybe it’s the increase in online shopping which has created the demise in retail outlets? It’s a sad thought that people may have stopped caring. Surely that’s not the case, everyone deserves to feel good and enjoy nice things from time to time. Cheers, Karen
😊Nice content this is. This is actually becoming an issue, I thought it only happened here at Tennessee. You cannot imagine the stress I went through with my partner just to get her colorful lingeries here. I drove to fatigue visiting various places. I think the online shopping is seriously affecting the local retails’ because of its wider coverage. Though I use the online stores too but at least the local stores shouldn’t run out of worthy pairs to save us(men) the stress of driving all around town to get lingeries with our partners
Hahahaha, that’s hilarious – thanks for sharing. I have a vision of my husband doing that! It reminds me of the time he bought me underwear for Christmas and he proudly produced a six pack of those plain cotton undies; stating he’d got such a bargain. And they say romance is dead! Best wishes, Karen
Well, we have a similar situation here. I find that I have to go online if I want a pretty fix. I have shopped the stores before looking for something “sexy” only to find nothing. It amazes me that a lot of the department stores have shied away from anything remotely sexy. So I shop Victoria’s Secret online 🙂
Hi Matt’s Mom, thanks so much for dropping by and sharing your experiences. Do you think we’re living in a politically correct world gone mad? Here in NZ we are so polite and careful not to upset anyone’s sensibilities (well most of us)… and perhaps retail has gone the same way too? It would be great to see some new shops in town that push those boundaries a little! Best wishes and thanks for the tip about Victoria’s Secret online. Cheers, Karen
What a sad state of affairs! No pretty, silky, lingerie shops. I don’t live in Westport, but you wouldn’t believe how many places have a drought like that in the U.S.—especially the small, rural towns. In the past, people ordered pretty, silky things from catalogs. Now with online shopping, the drought exists in the town stores, but at least the residents can go online to shop and have a nice selection. It seems that with the growing downturn of shopping centers, the stores are carrying less inventory or even eliminating things that are not in constant demand. That creates the drought like you described. So when traveling to visit our friends, it’s fun to do some investigating for those pretty, silky, lingerie items. Thanks for the post!
Hi Colleen, I guess that Westport could be considered the equivalent of a rural community, we have a very small township, one main street with no traffic lights… and we are surrounded by farming and conservation land. The area has a strong history in coal mining, and with the decline of that in more recent years, the prosperity of the town has certainly suffered. Online shopping means that communities like ours are competing with a global marketplace so it’s an even greater challenge for small businesses struggling to survive in a hard economy. Thanks so much for taking the time to check out my post and to share your thoughts. Cheers, Karen
This post is really funny and clever. OMG I am one of those women who likes comfy pjs, but there is nothing that says comfy can’t be sexy. good for you for pointing out the lack of nice silky sleep wear. I think many woman like pretty sleepwear, so petition your local shop to step up their game, or you are probably right- they will lose business to online shops if they don’t. Speaking of sleepwear maybe it’s time for me to up my game as well.
Thanks Erin – yes I was thinking I needed to up my game, and it looks like much more effort is required. I feel a shopping trip coming – it might involve travel to a big city… and it might need to be a few days! Thanks for taking the time to comment – best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen,
Well I just had to do a tour of Westport New Zealand. Looks very beautiful.
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Interesting discussion! Besides local grocery store items, I have shopped for just about everything online and will more than likely continue to do so however, lingerie and this type of apparel is one thing I definitely choose to buy in person. Sure it’s simple to go online and purchase these things, but somehow the outfits never seem to look like you expect once you get them – with all the models wearing an unrealistic size 0. For this reason, I like to see the lingerie first hand, in person. I think a shop is a great idea but not everyone thinks like me. Good luck in your quest!
Hi Shannon – I’m with you. Online shopping is not the same and everything looks better on the person modelling it than it does when it arrives and I try stuff on. At least in real life you can see what you’re getting for and make sure it’s value (in the eyes of the beholder) for money spent. Thanks so much for your input to this extremely serious situation. Cheers, Karen
Truly an attention grabbing post! I honestly thought it was a legit drought you were referring to and was captivated, wanting to find out more! I couldn’t figure out why you kept mentioning lingerie – this is serious stuff! Lol. I was very entertained by the end and my deepest sympathies go out to you and the women of Westport!
Hi Sherry, thank you – your condolences are appreciated and I hope there’s a solution in sight in the not too distant future! Best wishes, Karen
I live in a small town in South Carolina and it is a problem here too. The town over from me has an adult store but i find that to be a bit much when it comes to their lingerie. so yes i would probably turn to online shopping.
Even then with online I face that it may come in the wrong size
oh the struggle.
Hi Alisha, thanks for your comment 🙂 I think online shopping might be the way to go for the time being! Cheers, Karen
One must definitely appreciate the finer things and be able to slip something less formal on when the right time arises. My wife bless her heart has a special set she wears for me and most of the time it’s a comfy T and some sweats but she still likes to dress sexy occasionally and feel the affection we have for each other. If you get over to Christchurch stop in and say hi to Maree Wells ar Maree Designs for me. Tell her it’s Andy from SFI saying howdy.
Hi Andy, that’s so lovely and thank you for sharing (or should I say oversharing) on behalf of your wife? I’m not planning a trip to Chch in the near future, but I’ll certainly pop in and see Maree Wells and say hi, when I do. Best wishes, Karen
Sorry for the situation your community is facing. It’s quite challenging and frustrating when basic needs are difficult to get in our vicinity. I don’t think anyone should feel offended by your post – you are awareness to how much the global marketplace is affecting small rural towns like Westport.
I hope people will see your post and respond.
Hi Augusta, thanks for your feedback and for taking the time to respond to this post. I’m amazed at how many comments I’ve received, but clearly Westport is not alone with some of the challenges facing small towns. Best wishes, Karen
Your post is very different from the articles I usually read but it did catch my attention. As a retired grandfather I do not know how to start on the subject. However ,upon reflection, I see your point. My wife still at our advanced age, takes pleasure in ocassionally dressing in lace and sleeping in satin sheets. Admiring one self , or appreciating one self, is a very positive trait. Remembering that the physical beauty in us complements our inner beauty is a good thing. I hope your drought in Westport ends.
Thank you Carlos, I appreciate your comments… Best wishes Karen
There are times in everyone’s life when having some avenue of respite from what can be a daily slog of survival from day to day is a necessity. The drought you mention can be applied on several levels per your post, and I can see that there is definitely a need for more variety of wear for the dark hours…
Your town sounds very similar to where I grew up A practical place, there is more variety of snow boots and hats than for the clothes that are intended to be worn and enjoyed in the evenings and night. Some would say the people in my home town focus too much on the mundane, they lack imagination, and most certainly they are not interested in such frivolities as getting some decent lingerie in the stores and out to the people!
I would beg to differ, as you are, and suggest that adding a bit of smooth silk and perhaps some exotic colors and style to boot would do everyone some good in my home town, as I believe it would in Westport. It might move people to start looking at things differently, not a bad thing.
I support your cause and as a person who was raised in such an austere and practical environment, I can relate and understand your plea for getting some new threads in town. It might also help increase the population, also a positive outcome that every politician could get on board with (bigger tax base, more voters, job security?).
Thanks for a good read, a legitimate question that you have asked that requires a legitimate answer and corrective action as soon as possible. Best of luck!
Hi Dave, thank you so much for your considered response. I totally agree with you. I think that so many businesses have done the tough yards over the years, that there’s a lack of confidence to try something too far from the norm. It’s such as shame. It’s a bit like the chicken and egg dilemma, what comes first, the shoppers or the shops? Cheers, Karen
We need to wear sexy especially at night for our husband that need to see color and the feel of something sexy and wild. To hear of a town with no color or something that catches your eye will for sure turn off everyone. That is a serious emergency that needs to be taking care of. Where should I direct anyone that is going through the same?
Hi Claudia, thanks for your comment and view point. I would like to turn your comment on its head and say… perhaps our husbands or partners should be making the same effort and wearing something nice and sexy as well? Give me a pair of clean well fitting boxers on my man any day over a worn out old pair of jockeys! Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen!
Droughts in any sense are not pleasant for anyone, regardless of the location. Sorry to hear that. Also, not having choices to buy lingerie you like can be disappointing, especially for the women in general. Luckily, we don’t have such a problem in our town. In the same manner, online shopping made it possible to order items you can’t get at home. On another hand, because of the expansion of the big malls and online shopping possibilities, the small shops are dying. The globalization is taking its price.
Sexy lingerie is important for many women. But, if the interested crowd and base of buyers are not big enough for the retailer, and can’t make living out of it, what is the purpose to run such a shop? However, I wish you can find your lingerie at least online and satisfy your needs.
Best regards,
Igor
Hi Igor, you’ve hit the nail on the head (unfortunately). Westport simply doesn’t have the population base to support a specialty shop of this nature. It’s sad, because the town could be such a quaint and interesting place to visit if we had a range of interesting shops. Instead we are faced with tough times and many empty store fronts. Hopefully we have an economic shift around the corner with the new cycle way going in. Thanks for your feedback, cheers, Karen
Thank you for bringing awareness to this very serious issue! I had no idea that Westport was in a drought, a sexy drought no less! Very well-written and creative article. I know I would travel the ends of the earth to find a decent lingerie shop. Perhaps you will create a cure for this drought with your own store? I enjoyed this post and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Haha, thanks for dropping by and leaving such a lovely comment. No I don’t think I could muster the courage to open a store… but maybe there’s someone in this town who could take on the challenge?