hannah | I think tonight calls for alcoholic self-medication.

It's distressingly easy for me to convince myself that no one is ever going to sell me things I want to buy, and as such, it's not even worth it to make an attempt to check out their website.

For context, my phone will stop working at the end of September, so I need to get a new one soon. This wouldn't be a huge problem, except that the kind of phone I want to use no longer exists. I have a Nokia 3590. It's a brick. I can, and have, dropped it onto concrete during conversations and picked it up none the worse for wear. It makes calls and sends text messages and stores numbers. I've had it since high school. And because I have an AT&T network plan, I have to get something they provide. Which is nothing at all like what I want.

I want a phone without sliding parts, without hinges, with a set of number keys, hopefully without a touchscreen. After browsing the online store, I now doubt this exists. I could deal with a smartphone if it had a set of number keys, but they all seem to come with keyboards. And an iPhone would be a spectacularly bad idea and I know it's better for me to not have the internet in my pocket, which would just be a recipe for all sorts of disasters.

It's even worse if I try looking for dresses. Five minutes in a brick-and-mortar store, and I'm full up on even trying to interact with humans for the rest of the day. Five minutes on Etsy, and I have to go flip over a table. The criteria "can I wear this to synagogue services, AND can I wear it in warm weather" have so little overlap I might as well guess there's none to be found. I've yet to be wrong about this.

I'd like to be wrong, but no one seems able to contradict me. If they are, please, I'd love to know.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I went through a similar thing the last time my phone broke. After looking at what a couple of rather seedy pawnshops had to offer (that's an option), I went to the Optus store (my provider here -- but I'm sure things are the same over there: you do pay for things in rum, right?) and asked for the cheapest phone they had that would work on my plan. They might not have it on the website because it's not a big seller.

My dad hates mobile phones, and he did the same thing: bought a cheap Samsung that only texts and calls, for $9 a month.

Also, relevant to your interests: regretsy.

Sometimes I think the barter system wouldn't be too bad. I've got some really nice chocolate bars.

And I have to buy something supported by the wireless carrier, unfortunately.

Are mobile phones always locked to a certain network there? You can buy "outright" phones here, from an electronics store or whatever, that will go with any provider. You just put your sim card in there.

Secondhand might be a good option for you, I think. It is frustrating to know exactly what you want and not be able to find it. I for one have an iPhone. You do have the internet everywhere, which is kind of tempting, but there's some incredibly useful stuff as well. I don't regret going onto an iPhone plan at all -- the biggest problem is that I'm both clumsy and forgetful. Never lost it (thank God) but I have dropped it a few times.

Any particular style you're looking for in a dress? Shabby Apple has some nice stuff that's not going to break the bank, and they often take their inspiration from vintage looks.

I don't even have the vocabulary for that; all I can do is list attributes and hope something comes up. My main criteria are "covers up my armpits and shoulders so I don't have to bother shaving" and "doesn't reveal bra straps." There are a lot of nice dresses out there that do one or the other, but not both.

But Shabby Apple does look quite promising. I'll poke around and see what comes up.

Then I'd look into vintage reproductions, honestly -- stuff that could have come from the '30s, '40s and '50s. Those were designs built to live in. It's out of London, but Vivien of Holloway has some great designs. I think their day dresses might be a good start. If I think of any other (closer!) options, I'll keep you posted.

Are you still looking for things? I've just been introduced to eShakti, and I think they might have things in a good price range that would suit your requirements.

Hannah, can I ask why your phone is set to stop working in Sept? I have an older phone, though newer than yours, and I don't want to buy new for many of the same reasons you list. I need to gird my loins to deal with the loss of the phone if the reason applies to it as well.

I will send you strengthening thoughts. There is little so frustrating as know what you want and feeling marginalized because you're one of the only 5 people who want it.

I think tonight calls for alcoholic self-medication.

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