My winter jacket

It doesn't get that cold in Florida and even when it does it doesn't last very long. Still, you need to own a jacket. I needed one before this winter hit and I've always liked the style of the classic letterman's jacket so I decided to get one. I didn't want one in certain school colors with medals and elaborate embroidery, just a plain black or dark blue one. I don't want to look like the captain of the cross country team, I just wanted to stay warm in a nice looking jacket.
Thing is, even if that's all you want and you want to pick it up and wear it right away, you still have to go to the stores that sell the ones that kids in high school wear. If you've ever thought about doing this, I have one word of advice: DON'T.

First, they're expensive. The ones at the store I went to in south Tampa (the location could be at least part of the reason for the high prices, actually) started at $185 and went up into the $300s. And that's without any stuff on them. That's a lot, isn't it? I don't really know how much good things are supposed to cost but that seems like a lot. I paid less than $100 for the jacket I eventually did get. I don't know how parents are expected to afford stuff like that for their kids.

Secondly, if you're anything like me, you're not going to be comfortable in a store with a bunch of minivan-driving moms escorting packs of JV cheerleaders around.
"Hi. Can I help you?"
"Yes, I'm looking for a jacket."
"For a boy or a girl?"
"For me, actually."
"Oh. Hmm. Okay. Well, did you go to one of the schools we have on display here?"
"No, I'm not looking to represent a school. Maybe just plain black, like the socks I prefer to leave on when I'm having sex?"

Anyway, as is so often the case, there are some sweet deals (and actually, considerably less weirdness) to be found by shopping on line.