PPP - Presents and (eta) SNEAK PREVIEW OMG.

ETA: He sent me a sneak peek. But said it's a different colour. (Photo1)

Yikes!

I am hoping YLF can help advise me here on a sticky subject! I am trying to be PPP for the perfect trench coat, and I have embarked a few of my friends and family on the search for one. I apparently mention the PPP trench coat many, many times, but my godfather decided to surprise me and he wants to buy me a trench!

Now ... he had asked me previously why I found it so hard to buy a "perfect" trench and I had mentioned Burberry to him before. We even went together to a Burberry store and we tried on a few styles, but I didn't really like any of them. 

He just sent me an email to "keep an eye on my mailbox in September" - and I thought "uhoh". 

First - whatever he bought me, I am very happy for. I am very appreciative that he encourages my (crazy) style choices, and that he remembers all the weird things I talk to him about. 

But - he will expect me to get a lot of wear out of whatever he got me, and I'm terrified that it will be as far from PPP as possible! 

I have until the middle of September. Should I just get tons and tons of pictures of whatever he got me and then send him a pic once in awhile and pretend I wear it a lot? Even if I really hate it? So I don't hurt his feelings?

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27 Comments

  • shedev replied 10 years ago

    I'm crossing my fingers that you like it Lyn.

  • Sylvie replied 10 years ago

    Maybe it's a Burberry Gift card?

  • Peri replied 10 years ago

    Sticky situation! I don't think we can be PPP about gifts. I think you will like it even if you don't love it...really, how bad can a trench be? Isn't there room for pretty good in our lives?

  • cobaltblue replied 10 years ago

    Argh, lost my reply due to interruption by kids! They're asleep now and hopefully will stay that way.

    What I would do if I were confident in my tact and not so afraid of hurting people's feelings:
    Since he knows about the PPP struggle, maybe you can say "I love what you picked out for me, especially the "x,y,z"! I'm going to exchange it, though, because the "lapels/whatever" aren't PPP. Here's what I'm getting instead. Thank you for helping me get my dream trench!" Or maybe you'll be lucky and it will magically be the PPP trench of your dreams. Or a gift card.

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Hm... I think I'd probably leave the PPP Trench Quest out of the equation. Your godfather sounds super thoughtful and attentive... it is possible he got you something great. If it is a trench, even if it is not The Trench to End All Trenches, it might be a good stop-gap. 

    Now, if you do absolutely hate it... maybe it can be tailored? Or you could put it on and say, "I trust your opinion - is it perfect?" If he tears up and says yes, then maybe your idea for the photo cache isn't too bad.

    But you know, wait and see...

  • Gaylene replied 10 years ago

    Exactly what Rae said. Gifts are special because of our relationship with the giver. That trumps PPP every time in my books.

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    Tee hee. I must have been bummed. He sent me a teaser pic ;)

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Now that is what I call a teaser!

  • Lyn D. replied 10 years ago

    I like Cobaltblue's suggestion.

  • goldenpig replied 10 years ago

    AAAAHHHH!!! OMG!

    If it's a Burberry, it has to be perfect. I hope it's PPP! Would he be really upset if you exchanged it for a slightly different style/color/size? I would think he would understand and want you to be 100% happy with it! After all, you're going to wear it forever!

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    SO. I am going to have a lawn chair. By my mailbox.
    From now until Middle of September. :)
    Please come by and bring snacks.

    I'm not sure how he will feel about an exchange, but we'll see what happens when it gets here and how I feel about it. I don't think my dad would mind (and they are very similar people). My dad -insisted- I get a Burberry in HK but I kinda chickened out because it's a big amount of dough. Maybe there is some dad influence ;)

    *happy dance*

  • Ingunn replied 10 years ago

    You lucky girl! Whatever it is, I'm sure it will work out.

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    Do not fret now because it is wasted energy. When it arrives, then you can fret.

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Sounds like a generous gift. Wait til it arrives and then see:)

  • ManidipaM replied 10 years ago

    Fingers crossed for you! (Do you like samosas? Or banana-leaf grilled fish? Or veggie patties? Or sweet dumplings ... ?)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Oh wow - what a wonderful and generous gesture lyn! Make sure you have a warm blanket with you by your lawn chair - can get cold by October :)

  • ramya replied 10 years ago

    Moni I like samosas; )
    Ack can't wait lyn. Come soon package

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    I LOVE SAMOSAS. Even the frozen ones in a box from the grocery store!!!!

  • cciele replied 10 years ago

    Holey moley I'd be out on the lawn chair too -- can't wait! Whatever Burberry it is, your godfather is so sweet :)

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    OMG!!!!!! So exciting!
    Burberry store does alterations too, so I'm sure they can make the fit perfect once it arrives.

  • ElleH replied 10 years ago

    You only have 30 days to return but longer to exchange if tags are on so perhaps if you don't like it you can get a store credit until you find one you like. Would that offend him? If it was similar but different, like same coloured trench coat but different style he wouldn't even know but that may be deceptive.

  • Ana replied 10 years ago

    How exciting, and how generous of your godfather! I wish people in my life INSISTED I get a Burberry trench coat. ;)

    If it's not perfect, I'd look into alterations before exchange (unless it's just a sizing issue--like a different size up or down in the same style would fit better). That way you wouldn't have to put a lot of effort into hiding the fact that you don't have the coat anymore. It sounds like maybe your godfather and your dad think the only reason you haven't gotten a Burberry trench coat is the cost, rather than having not found one that is perfect, if that makes sense. Your godfather might not even realize you got it altered, he'll just see how well it fits and flatters you. 

    I can't wait to see it when you post it in September!

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    Oi, my closet Burberry store is about 2hrs away, but I'll worry about that later!

    I don't think he's a person to get easily offended, unless I just NEVER wore the jacket and used it to let my dog sleep on or something - he's pretty laid back. I think if I had to get major alterations, an exchange would be reasonable.

  • AviaMariah replied 10 years ago

    You may love it and even if it's not exactly what you would have picked - you'll have it forever as a reminder of this special person in your life.  Someday when he's gone you'll probably love it twice as much even if you've found another PPP in the meantime.  Lucky girl!!

  • Ana replied 10 years ago

    I was just wondering how you define PPP? Since, I have short legs and broad shoulders with a smaller waist, I have to get TONS of my clothes altered. I've even had shoes (well boots) altered. Very often, I buy something, and then have it altered into PPP. I don't pay hundreds of dollars to have something altered, but I'd put in a fair amount if I knew the alterations would make it perfect. But I have friends who say if it doesn't fit them perfectly off the rack, they just don't buy it. I don't think either school of thought is wrong or right, but I wonder if you fall into the second school, maybe that's why you haven't found your PPP trench yet? If you fall into the first school, I often can't find something PPP because of color. I'm very persnickety when it comes to colors. For instance, I like red, but it's got to be just the right shade of bright red, or else I pass. Anyway, just food for thought, I guess.

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    @ Avia - I haven't thought of clothes outlasting people! Yikes! :p

    @ Ana - That's really a good point. I rarely tailor things that I buy off the rack and still consider it PPP, but I suppose with a minor investment if it could be, I'd be open to it :) I just have had really bad luck with tailors in my area.

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    I hope it is PPP for you.  But if it isn't I don't see any harm in exchanging for a color or fit that will work better for you.  No need to have a wardrobe orphan (especially an expensive one) that you never wear.

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