You know how the saying goes: “I shoulda bought it when I saw it at Marden’s.”

I never thought I’d say it. Only because I usually do buy it when I see it.

But I was Christmas shopping, and it didn’t seem like such a good idea to pick up a coat for myself when I had so many other people to shop for. Plus, I figured ShopGuy must’ve seen it and bought it for me already. It was just what I wanted: a small, black, quilted, goose-down parka by Eddie Bauer. It only cost $29.99. But there was a problem: It was made for a man and, thus, too big in the shoulders. So I left it there.

Needless to say, my little black jacket didn’t show up under the Christmas tree.

So for the past few weeks, I’ve been on a wild goose-down chase.

I knew what I wanted: a warm, fitted, non-poufy, sporty yet stylish jacket, much like the one I saw at the Gap for $98. But I’m frugal (what an ugly word), so I went back to Marden’s, where it was either gone or hidden. On Friday, ShopGirl Jr. called to tell me she spotted my jacket on sale at the Gap for $24.99. But I waited until Monday, and by then, they only had it in cream (stain magnet), red, or orange. I love orange, but one can only have so much of it in her wardrobe, and my recent pants acquisition pushed me over the limit. I tried on a satiny coat with a faux-fur-trimmed hood, but it looked strange, so I left.

On Tuesday, I went to South Portland and managed to duck into the Gap there. No luck. On my way back home, I hit the Gap in Augusta. While a faux shearling-lined denim jacket caught my eye, I didn’t see my coat. So I trotted up to Old Navy.

Eureka.

I found the coat – in several colors – for $29.99. The pale blue was cute, but I wanted black. The fit was perfect. It was lined in soft, warm fleece. It didn’t look like dog fur would stick to it. Heavenly.

The wild goose down chase is over.

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

I have a question. I am a plus-size woman, and it would be great if you could do a column on shops in the area for us bigger-sized women. I am, quite honestly, too timid and shy to go into Old Navy to see if they carry anything that might fit me (do you know if they do???) Are there other stores in the Greater Bangor area besides Fashion Bug and Lane Bryant? What about plus-size lingerie? Lane Bryant has a very good selection, but I am talking about an exclusively lingerie shop. (My dream is to open one of my own – a Victoria’s Secret for plus sizes.)

Thanks

A.M.

Dear A.M.,

You are not the first reader to voice your frustration with the available options for plus-size women, but there are more stores in the area that offer a variety of sizes than you may think.

Both Old Navy and Gap offer clothing up to size 20, and Filene’s, J.C. Penney and Sears all have a good selection of stylish plus-size clothing, as does T.J. Maxx ‘n More in Bangor. Talbot’s doesn’t carry women’s sizes in its Bangor shop (you’ll have to travel to Peabody, Mass., if you want to try them on), but the catalog and Web site (www.talbots.com) offer clothing up to size 24W, as well as women’s petite clothing.

If any readers have a suggestion, please let me know at the address below. Thanks – and happy shopping!

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476.