Sitting in a shop waiting for a friend to finish her trying-on session, I was tempted to have a browse at the handbags, before telling myself, ‘don’t bother, wait until later when you can shop online.’ And that was when I realised I might have a (slight) online shopping addiction.
On my MacBook, all I need to type into my address bar is ‘n’ and instantly I am transported to the online shopping-haven that is Net-a-porter, which resulted in a £500 shopping spree in the June sales on my credit card. Have some faith though, because the one thing money can’t buy - my boyfriend - eventually persuaded me to return the pairs of shoes. Despite still regretting it, and trawling websites to buy the same pairs again, I know it was the right choice. Maybe.
When I want, I can save money. I gave up my bank cards for Lent one year - and stuck to it for the entire 40 days without giving in to temptation (I was, however, allowed to spend cash earned in waitressing tips and babysitting to get me through that traumatic time). I’ve also been known to spend a week eating rice and gravy in an effort to save (dark times of student living).
I like to believe that all my purchases are well considered, and I always ask myself ‘impulse or investment?’. The most reckless thing I’ve done was leaving my anti-bac gel at home one time, so I do spend time evaluating the financial consequences of my spending. A proud moment was persuading my dad that my first designer purchase at the age of 18, a pair of suede 6-inch Louboutins, was a wise decision and it wasn’t long before he too was agreeing on the quality and craftsmanship. Perhaps recently discovering Sex and the City movies hasn’t helped, and turned Net-a-Porter, Matches Fashion and other online luxury designer websites into a daily habit. Wake up, make a cup of tea, and check my phone - not for FaceBook updates or my twitter feed - but for the latest emails and offers promoting three-digit price tags.
One theory for our obsession with shopping is that our ancient female ancestors - millions of years ago when people were hunters with skirts made out of gazelle skin and loafers from cow hide - were responsible for gathering food. Their DNA was wired in such a way that would help them enjoy every aspect of gathering – of which socialising was a fundamental part. While our ancestors gathered berries, we’re inclined to gather Burberry’s. The science behind both is evidently the same.
I’ve now got my eye on an orange Lamborghini (in all seriousness), and through a LOT of saving and, of course, a very high paid editorial job by age 30, I’m sure it will be a realistic possibility in ten years time. Don’t mock. The good news is that the current desire for a super car is marginally greater than the latest Prada bag, so temporarily my spending has been curbed. I am proud to admit that I am three days ‘clean’. Meanwhile, I shall sit in my room with the electricity off, eating cold baked beans and flicking through my back-log of Vogue magazines.
No comments:
Post a Comment