Reformed shopaholic? please can you give me the benefit of your advice

CompletelyLost

I often wonder if we won the lottery and could afford everything we wanted, would shopping still have the same appeal? I'd tend to think not somehow... hmm.

Shoe Gal: snap, I'm in exactly the same situation (including the weight gain). I am about 1-stone heavier than I'd like to be, and almost 2-stone heavier than what I was a couple of years ago and I hate it. I find it's a battle to find things that flatter my figure, unlike before when I could put on pretty much anything and look good in it.

I'm going out soon... have left it until late so that most of the shops in town willbe closed by the time I get there! Though I do have to go to the supermarket, and am hoping that the tshirt I want doesn't jump into my trolley =/

Shoe_Gal

I need to lose more than 2 stone and I am really struggling to motivate myself Am trying to aim for smaller goals - and the wardrobe I have of too small clothes

[Deleted User]

One thing I've found really useful, now that I'm (mostly) reformed, is imagining carrying all the stuff, feeling the weight of it and imagining adding more... then mentally casting it off and literally doing it when I get the chance. If I haven't worn it for more than 2 years, and it's not an utter classic that would still be stylish in 20 yrs' time then out it goes via charity shop, ebay or clothes recycling.

Then I made a rule of one in, one out. So *anything* I buy has to be carefully considered, as I'll be getting rid of one thing.

Part of the problem I think is the very clever way retailers play on our insecurities. We aren't buying clothes per se - we're buying the imaginary image of us being our clothes and accessories. We aren't our clothes though what we choose to wear might reflect our personality - and they (the retailers) are simply wanting our cash.

Yes, it's nice to look "nice" but new clothes and shoes don't necessarily have that result. Fashion is a millstone and to cast it off feels much better!

Timeless classic clothes, attention to grooming and a ready smile are much more winning IMO. For example - I always think a man in a classic suit, well-groomed and with a happy face always looks good, whatever his style,shape,age,background. Much nicer than the scruffy, fashionably rumpled, stubbly currently in vogue for men. And this kind of ladylike/gentlemanly look costs a whole lot less!

P.S. I'm not that old, even though I might sound like your great-Aunt!!!

Shoe_Gal

joolzred wrote: »

P.S. I'm not that old, even though I might sound like your great-Aunt!!!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

You talk loads of sense too - wish I could be so ruthless at getting rid of things

leanne82duke

joolz
i think you are absolutley correct x

i have also finally got my head around the fact that the outfit i want looks lovely in the catalogue etc but i aint gonna look anything like that on me!

[Deleted User]

Shoe_Gal wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

You talk loads of sense too - wish I could be so ruthless at getting rid of things

In the end they are just things - after my last surgery I could no longer wear high heels to walk in so with a half-broken heart I sold them/gave them away, but the world's still turning!

Shoe_Gal

joolzred wrote: »

In the end they are just things - after my last surgery I could no longer wear high heels to walk in so with a half-broken heart I sold them/gave them away, but the world's still turning!

That puts my heels additction in perspective :A

[Deleted User]

leanne82duke wrote: »

joolz
i think you are absolutley correct x

i have also finally got my head around the fact that the outfit i want looks lovely in the catalogue etc but i aint gonna look anything like that on me!

LOL I know the feeling! I finally did a bit of a self-Gok-Wan on myself and took a good look at photos etc to see what *really* suits me. Turns out it's wrap dresses for nights out, empire lines, and bootcut highwaist jeans ... but only got about 3 of each

My weakness? still nice lingerie etc but now there's ebay sellers sending direct from the Chinese factories it's not too expensive occasionally and one always needs new bras and knicks!!

Nixxx

NGlady wrote: »

In regards to makeup. I actually very rarely wear it :O my Grandma, never wore makeup in her life, and until she was about 65 she didnt really have the lines of life. So day-to-day I normally wear some vasaleene on my lips and maybe a bit of lipgloss but thats about it, then when I go out I wear a light coating of shimmer, mascara bit of eye shadow and lipstick but im not really glued to it lol. Not that I think im better than anybody with my clear face but I just dont like wearing it all the time However I admit, if I am going somewhere new, like a job interview, or on a date or something my face is fully made up lol. I love my nails painted, just wish I could do them a little better lol.

I completely agree with this. I rarely wear makeup, not because i don't care about my appearance, but because i have more important things to do and i'm pushed for time. I'm happy with how i look with or without makeup. A night out is a different matter, i can quite easily cake it on:o. I mean false lashes, eyeshadow, the works lol!!!

salesaddict

Anglea wrote: »

Hello all

Salesaddict re shoe inserts. As mentioned before, I live in flats due to foot problems caused by years of unsuitable shoes (everyone, beware it could happen to you).

So instead of a shoe collection - I have an insole collection instead! The most comfortable I've found for ball of the foot troubles are Scholl Busy Bee inserts for women. About £10-15 depending on where you go.

Thankyou so much Anglea. At that price they ought to work.
I know I am not doing my feet any good but I just can't resist heels.