Thanks, Mr. Walton

I don’t mean to sound like a snob, but Walmart is one of those stores I avoid. Aside from a particularly poverty-stricken period during grad school, I’ve never really shopped there. Not only do I find the store depressing on multiple levels, but about 4 years ago, a charming Walmart greeter accused me of stealing CDs—as I entered the store. It was the only time I have ever yelled at a customer service employee. Now, finding something to wear is becoming an increasingly difficult task. Add in the fact that the weather is turning cold and further limiting my clothing options, I spend half the morning fumbling around in my closet for something halfway professional to wear to work. So I decided I needed a few more clothing items to make my life a little easier for the next 3 to 4 months. I went to every website, from Old Navy to Nordstrom to Bloomingdales to Pea in the Pod to Target. Nothing floated my boat. Or if it did, I didn’t think it was worth $137. Then I had a thought: Walmart sells everything. AND IT’S CHEAP. Oh, what the heck, it doesn’t hurt to just look, I thought. So I looked. Black maternity leggings for $9 plus a mere 97 cents for shipping? Add to cart. A long-sleeve fitted turtleneck also for $9 plus 97 cents shipping? Add to cart. And so on. I’ll admit, I’m not a giant Walmart fan. I think they treat their employees crappily and I’m still peeved about the CD incident. Still, they do provide multiple and valuable services to everyday Americans, such as uber cheap a la carte health care services and equally cheap clothes and groceries. Can you imagine those with limited incomes or recent job losses not having a Walmart-type place to buy what they need? And yes, Walmart provides women like me—women who are too stingy to spring for the $240 cashmere maternity sweater from Bump Couture, or even the $78-Ann Taylor Loft pants—the ability to cheaply fill in their wardrobe gaps, buying time until they can return to their beloved pre-pregnancy clothes. If they still fit, that is.