Ashamed of myself

I have a lot.... But have bought nowhere near the amount I used to, as our M&S closed last year. Went to meet friends for coffee this morning, and one of them asked me if I'd like to go shopping with her as she has a weekend in Spain coming up and she needed another opinion. So off we went, and of course I ended up buying something - but it was really nice and only £9, so I didn't feel too bad.

I used to work with a lovely lady who had a large bedroom converted to a dressing room to hold her vast clothes and shoe collection, lucky her, lucky you Luckylegs

Luckylegs I'm not sure if I have had as many of each of those things ever!! Where did you store them all??

I used to shop til I dropped. In fact it was part of my job - I got paid to do it - no jealousy please! We have lived in the same house for 20 years and recently we decided to move. The stuff I threw out will keep two charity shops going for years and I have to say I feel 100% better for not having all this stuff. I don't buy a lot anymore and won't start again. x

I love dress agencies, they fulfill my craving to buy something ‘new’, often with an expensive label that I wouldn’t normally buy. The clothes are hardly worn and I also take in things that I no longer wear. Sometimes the old pays for the new and I feel very pleased with myself.

My late husband had severe bipolar disorder, and once, during a manic episode, he found a jumper in M&S which he thought very stylish, and bought their entire stock
He then went to three other branches and cleared them out as well.
We had 85 grey lambs wool jumpers in every size.
I couldn’t return them as he had ripped off all the tags and labels, so for years they were given as gifts, I wore a couple, my sons wore some, and 27 years later I still have two of them in my drawer.
That’s what you call shopping!
Personally I love looking round clothes shops but don’t buy unless I really need an item. Most of my clothes come from charity shops, and when I get fed up I donate them back and get something else.

I did a census of my footwear. 17 pairs of Hotter shoes, boots and sandals. They do wear well. There are others like Gabor and Clarks both of which I like but Hotter's have always been a reliable fit. I have culled my handbags, most of which I have bought on Ebay, usually paying less than £10, always leather and almost unused.

My husband thinks I am being extravagant with 5 pairs of shoes. 3 the same style in different colours as they are so comfortable, and 2 for going somewhere special in. I have 2 pairs of sandals and don't have any boots. I must tell him to be grateful to be married to me and not Luckylegs.

44 handbags!!!! I use the same shoulderbag every day, could not be bothered to keep transferring everything to another bag all the time .... not enough hours in the day .... have one other bag for best, plus a neutral clutch bag for special occasions - 3 bags in total.

Is it just me?

It's a fine line- spending helps the economy, but wasting clothing ruins the environment.

Internet shopping is so easy and great to surf in comfort. Getting a parcel delivered can be the highlight of the day. Season shopping is great new summer clothes and then winter as well. I forget the shoes I have and buy new ones then find the old ones lurking in the cupboard, its not easy to throw out but try to let go. There is nothing wrong with having lots of clothing, some of the rich have dressing rooms full of clothing I guess they can afford the space.

My friend has just hired a lovely dress to go to a ball. It cost £85, which isn’t cheap, but if she had bought it would have had a much bigger price tag and then hung in her wardrobe for years.
So she got her buying experience without any angst. She’s a bit of a shopper and has a pretty packed wardrobe.

I realised I had to stop buying regardless when I had a sort out and found I’d bought three nearly identical thin beige jumpers three years running and still was wearing the first one - the other two had got buried and still had their labels!

As Brupen said, now I’m retired I can browse the sales (on line is the worst for me) and buy far too many bargains. My (nearly) year out has slowed me down considerably but I bought two tops the other day when out with DH. One I like and the other the same but in the colour he likes. I’m not sure one will get worn much!

Dont feel guilty dont let anyone here make you feel guilty.People like you and me are keeping the economy going .I can afford to buy what I want when I want it for myself and for my children and grandchildren and thers no way I will stop just because some folk think its an addiction.Its not ,why on earth cant /shouldn't I spend MY money on things I like? I'm not sending anything to landfill so its no ones business but my own .

I love Skechers shoes, since recommended on GN a few years ago, they are SO comfy, however today I resisted buying a pair, why? simply because we are going to the UK next week and I want to save my money,but they do have them there!

I dumped eight pairs of shoes, sandals and trainers last week. I intend to buy new sandals this year. However, I still have 20 pairs of mixed shoes in my spare bedroom. I have a pile of tops, t shirts etc stacked up 4ft tall. Jumpers, many to be sorted through and charity shopped but I don’t really like any of them anymore. Such a waste of my money. Luckylegs you are not alone..

Luckylegs
Oh. My. Gosh.

@llizzie2, very true. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Addiction comes in many forms and we all have to examine what our own individual weakness is. Addiction is not logical. Smokers, drug addicts and alcoholics know that their habits kill but still find it hard to quit.
Their argument is the same:
“Life is short, I enjoy it so I will continue.” This thread is a welcome opportunity to reflect.

Oh yes - I cant resist books. Our local library often has a sale on and I cant help myself. Once read I return them to be resold or give to charity.

Glenfinan.........200 pairs of shoes ??????????

My weakness is buying lovely,unusual, organic cotton clothes for our Foster Children.
The little one we have now is our last, so that pleasure will soon stop.
I have been ruthless with my own wardrobe as we are downsizing, though most of what I have sent to charity shops was bought some time ago(and often hardly worn)
Now I live in tunics and trousers, winter weight or summer weight, and easy to wear dresses for 'smart' days.
I will confess I have bought quality, usually in the sales, as I prefer the fabric and fit.
Shoes? Odd shaped foot thanks to lots of badminton, so fitflops in the summer, 2 pairs of identical ankle boots in the winter (sooooo comfortable) with one pair of comfortable shoes each for summer and winter smart days.
Handbags, now that's another story, but this Lent I am putting one item belonging to me in a bag, and donating to a charity shop at the end of Lent. So far, 4 hardly used/unused bags, though some have been gifts and not my style.

However, do not ask me about my book and Kindle purchases!!!!!!!!!!!

My spare mo ey goes on books...I can’t stop buying them.

I have a rule of 1 in and 1 out....sometimes 2 out. I hate clothes shopping and my wardrobe is 3 ft wide and there’s plenty of room in there. I prefer shoes...but only have about 4 pairs boots .... two pair trainers and use pumps in summer ( about 6 pairs). Don’t like sandals as I have to walk about 30 miles a week and sandals are very uncomfortable.

My downfall buy books! I keep telling myself " no more" but the little devil on my shoulder goes "oh that looks so good" and into my shopping trolley etc it goes.

Sorry that should have read , I remember that song, but who sang it Lemongrove X