Why do you shop?

[lanternlight]

I’ve been reflecting a lot lately about why I spend and what I spend on and I just wanted to ask others really (to see if I’m normal 🙈).

Do you spend purely because you need clothes or are there other motivations? Ie to feel better about yourself/fit in/be current with trends. I know a lot of my shopping is tied to my current emotional state which I’m working on...

Just curious really 😀

Because I spend half my life online and I'm a complete sucker for adverts and people's recommendations on here. Dammit.

If I’m totally honest - I shop (online) because I’m working my arse off, earning ridiculous good money, but I never have time or I’m too exhausted to go out and enjoy it. At least if I’m buying stuff I feel like I’m getting some enjoyment back from the hours I’m putting in and the hard slog.

I mostly shop either because I've seen something online that I love, in which case I'll normally obsess over it for a few weeks (or more!) before making up my mind whether to buy it or not (this is because things I see and love always turn out to be really expensive) or I'll shop because I have a gap in my wardrobe, in which case I will do tons of research online first before ordering a few things and sending most of them back.

I used to go shopping to make myself feel better, and I definitely start to get a bit of a high from spending money. Then I come crashing down and start to feel sick about spending money and capitalism generally. This is why I shop online, it's safer! These days, on the rare occasions when I fancy 'going shopping' I stick to charity shops. I'm also an incredibly picky shopper so most high street clothes shops hold absolutely no appeal, which makes things easier.

I'm quite an organised shopper. I check what gaps I have, what I need, spend time figuring out what I want. I'm good at sticking to that too. It all feeds into self expression I love looking like me jiw I feel in my mind as a person.
I love having something beautiful or that pleases me in how it feels or how well it works. On that front I get a little stuck between high street where I can see and touch things but generally don't find anything I love - although i do buy filler items as budget isn't limitless. Online where there are higher end things I love but I am reluctant to spend a lot on something I cant inspect. I hate the whole postage returns process. The iccasdionsl big investment shopping trip happens - ideally with my husband whi loves good quality clothes even more than I do. I love that and he gives great advice.
I get a real thrill out of how well my wardrobe works. The dress that's great for an interview one way and for an occasion with different make up accessories for example. Gives me feelings of intense satisfaction. Honestly, that sounds weird and I want always like this but it's like a new skill.
I also enjoy fashion and watch a few folk on social media, buy vogue occasionally. Have ideas and make notes of what I'd like. I've managed to make shopping into a slightly geeky hobby that involves research and analysis.

I like a project. Say I decide I need a denim shirt dress. I spend a couple of days browsing during night feeds, check my local shops, and eventually order from ASOS or eBay. This time it was from Boden via eBay. If it's a specific item (this week Lucy and Yak dungarees) I spend ages thinking, looking at them on blog posts and Instagram. I don't buy loads but I like variety so I don't end up in the local mum uniform of a breton, skinnies and Converse every single day. Maybe just half the week!

Because I think if I get the new thing it will make my life better (it never does) and because it's something I have control over. I hate running out of things so always have a stockpile if I like something. In case they stop selling it (often) or if something fits well (need it in multiple colours, or another one for when they stop selling it). Also there are pretty things, shiny things, bright and sparkly things, which draw my attention and "spark joy."

I used to shop out of boredom and habit. Now I only really shop if I really need something.

Wow thank you for all your replies, there is definitely a spectrum of reasons and I really relate to the boredom and because ‘it will make me feel better’ (albeit fleetingly) motivations.
I like variety too hammering and I think I should adopt your tactics of researching on blogs and Instagram before making the purchase. I reckon I would probably enjoy that more than the actual wearing of the item! Any blog/instagram suggestions?

Lasttime - you are my shopping idol! Organised, know what you want, enjoy fashion and making your wardrobe work for you. Mine is chaotic despite my best intentions. I don’t think I’d ever be able to condense it into a capsule... I think I’d whittle it down then something would throw me and I’d default to my ‘hit the shops’ mentality. Crazy really

Allthepinkunicorns...do you mind me asking what changed to make you go from shopping out of boredom to only buying when you need something?

I shop more when I am stressed. I always buy things I like but don't really need. I tend to justify it by thinking i work hard I deserve it. I really need to be more like Marie Kondo

I've been thinking about this. I do shop a lot for things I need, mainly online - like cat food or a new cake tin or whatever, and enjoy that too.

But for clothes, and also craft and sewing stuff, it's really about an endless quest for things that make me feel "right" and express myself and meet my cravings for design and textiles. It's not really fashion (although I like fashion magazines so I'm probably influenced by them), it's about those perfect things that are easy to wear and feel right, but they are hard to find and I make mistakes.

But then I do also find them and they bring me a lot of happiness, so I live in hope.

Like a PP I enjoy getting into a particular idea or look and looking and researching for the best option - which also means I can spend quite a while "shopping" without spending, which is a bonus.

With fabric, I have a dream of creating a particular thing, find the fabric and buy it, but then get another obsession before I have time to make the first thing resulting in a large stash.

On the positive side, I love ebay and charity shops, and fabric is usually cheaper than clothes, so my spending isn't too crazy. I do shop too much though.

One problem is I'm a single mum, rarely go out and it's really hard to do a lot of stuff like creative hobbies, reading or going to the gym, with DC around. But it's easy to sit on my ipad and browse ebay so I tend to default to tat.

That not tat! But sometimes also tat...

Because I love clothes and because, although I already have more than enough, I get restless. I'm trying to learn to enjoy and wear the ones I have rather than always looking for the next item that will complete my wardrobe (yet never does). But then I like to look modern and to change my style every so often. There's often a disapproval of fashion on here but I like it. Of course it's ridiculous but that's the point - life can get far too serious.

I've changed how I shop in the last few years and now buy about 80% second hand. My local high street is dire but we have a couple of neighbourhoods with a few good independent / vintage / second / charity shops. I like it when the staff are really into what they do and know their stuff but also know to leave me alone when I want it. I often come away empty handed but it's still been enjoyable. I like the hunt as much as the prize.

I used to buy a lot online but now I resent paying out for clothes I've not seen properly, let alone tried on. So now I only do it when necessary and, even when it works, it's never the same - it's like drinking decaff coffee.

Nowadays I shop much less. I have everything I need and I try and save the money for holidays instead.

I agree Floisme. I enjoy the process and online shopping isn't the same.

In terms of my organised shopping I developed this over the last 7 years or so. I recommend a capsule wardrobe as an exercise in developing style and sharpening shopping skills. Try it by packing away your other clothes for 3 months. It helped me see what i need and what i miss. I also have a notebook. It makes me realise what's worked. I also make notes of gaps and items I want. It helps me realise how far shops are designed to shape your wants. Then I can consider their displays and offer like in a museum, as an idea, without buying unless it fits my purposes. Or if I'm really taken by something I adjust my style and direction. Or incorporate just a touch of it. So much better than coming home with an item you love and realising that unless you buy another 2 things it just doesn't work.

Because I spend half my life online and I'm a complete sucker for adverts and people's recommendations on here. Dammit.

That

With clothes, but also other non-essential stuff (which for me would include plants, nice homewares, some beauty products), I find its a really good way of switching off from work and other things that make me stressed. Doing it in person is much better than online, and I can happily lose myself for an hour or so wandering around the shops. I don't actually have to buy anything, although there's always a great feeling when I find something lovely. Recently I've got a lot better about identifying genuine gaps and only actually buying when something fits the gap. This might be as simple as pointing out to myself that I already have 6 shirts in various shades of blue, or 5 different ferns.. It doesn't stop me spending time in shops, though!

I am exactly the same as @nowisthemonthofmaying

I prefer eBay or charity as I can't justify the spending in shops, quality is poor for the price.

I love lovely things and didn't have many growing up

Because I think it will make me happier, fill a wardrobe gap, make me more stylish, express who I am. Consumerism really works. But then I feel guilty afterwards and none of those gaps have been plugged sadly.

No particular blog or insta recommends, I tend to just search hashtags e.g. lucyandyak.

I work in fashion and always liked to mix it up a bit, so I've found being on mat leave and wearing nothing but nursing stuff a shock! Nobody really sees me other than fellow mums on mat leave and we all just wear what is clean.

There was a period when I turned into a complete shopaholic. This was when both my elderly parents needed a huge amount of care and then when they both died within six months. I spent and I spent and then I spent some more. I don’t need to fill an emotional hole any more and it’s calmed down a lot. I still buy waaaaay too many shoes, though!

I buy something because I like it. Though I probably need to calm it down judging by the amount of 'nice tops' I currently have in the wardrobe.