Shopaholics: What do you gain from your shopping sprees?

1) “Being part of the ‘club’”

Fressine, 36, finance officer and blogger. “Having choices when I open my closet and being able to wear a different outfit every day pleases me. This abundance is a break from the monotony of everyday life. Possessing the newest looks and that it-bag­ from the magazines is the pleasure of being a part of the “club”. The girls who know will recognise each other. I love when they say “she has style, she knows the trends” about me.

2)  “Being in the centre of the universe”

Sophie, 42, a lawyer in family law. “Shopping or just trying on clothes in the mirror is a moment of pure selfishness necessity. Between my work and family life, I have no more me-time. Even if I do not have a model’s body, a well-cut piece of clothing wraps perfectly around my figure and changes my mindset. With my gorgeous, branded trench coat, I feel like I am the centre of the world in every sense of the word, and just as amazing as some colleague who may actually be more brilliant and classy than me. ”

3) “My little madeleine”  

Magali, 39, web project manager. “It was the fun of Saturdays: my mother and I, arm-in-arm, strolling down the streets, doing some window-shopping. “We did not have much money, so we would rarely crack from the tempation. My mother made a living for us, but she dared not spend, especially on herself. After the shopping trip, we would go to the tearoom forget about our non-shopping. Shops became my little memories. I go window-shopping alone, and I pounce immediately when anything catches my eye…without a doubt, to make up for all those times when all we had was the pleasure of looking at all the lovely things we could not buy.

4) “For my fetishes”

Carla, 28, shop manager. “I like to be dressed in black, the colour of elegance, but nobody knows that underneath is a different story! Red and purple are my favourite colours, so I always wear lingerie in these clashing tones. In some cultures (Chinese and Romanian, for example) it is the colour of happiness and luck, and I believe that. ”

5) “Compensate for my shyness”

Celine, 40, cinema security guard. “My maternal grandmother lived in Paris in the 30s and she spoke fondly of her youth. She offered me a part of her carefully preserved wardrobe. As a young girl, I was a worthy successor to these beautiful things, daring to go to university in a quirky getup: fitted jacket, heels, hand-embroidered blouse…just imagine! When I eventually went to live in Paris, my retro style had emerged. I like the smile on people’s faces as they see me pass, probably because deep down I am pessimistic and shy. Clothing enhances me and colours boost my morale. This is my escape. ”

6) “Expressing my originality”

Stephanie, 41, manager of a warehouse store. “In my family, the women can transform and customise clothing. Cloth is a tradition. My sister can sew, not me, but I inherited this gift for recycling pieces of clothing and understanding fashion trends around the world. Going on a hunt for small things that nobody takes a second look at and making something beautiful from it gives me the satisfaction of being creative and pursuing my own style. What I have created is unique and expresses my originality.”

7) “Stepping into somebody else’s shoes”

Cathy, 32, radio sound designer. “At work, I like to give the image of a strong woman, hence my chic pants and stilettos. My authority is thereby affirmed. Sexy dresses, on the other hand are for romantic dinners. I enjoy finding the “right” outfit, which helps me to slip into the skin of someone else, a working girl, a killer or some femme-fatale… My favourite piece is a pink flowered dress from Ricci that I sussed out in flea market. I’m proud of it, and a lot of friends like to see me in it!”

8) “A change of silhouette”

Isabelle, 23 , blogger.  “My fetish is to buy shoes. I like to see myself perched on stilettos and feel the eyes of men to dwell on my ankles. I have 319 pairs! When I lost my mother, I was constantly dressed in black, and I gained weight. Shoes were my only fantasy. My attachment to the accessory is not therefore a matter of fashion. I also love clothes, they give the illusion of changing up my silhouette. I love the game of seduction and I sometimes strongly react to the male gaze. Anything that touches the skin (shoes, snug clothing) reassures and beautifies me.”

 

 

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