Call me a consumerist, capitalist American but sometimes I just love shopping. In fact, sometimes I feel like I actually need it. Not just for the clothes, but for the mental health. The phrase “retail therapy” comes up all the time, but I think I actually believe it. As someone who has lived my life with the idea “do what you want, what you love, worry later, live life to the fullest, blah blah blah” it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that I’d believe in retail therapy. While I’m usually concerned about my finances — watching what I spend and what I spend it on — every now and then it seems to me perfectly healthy to splurge a little.
For the same reasons that I pack my favorite pair of jeans when backpacking and always travel with skinny ties, I’m a firm believer in traveling, in living, as you are. Sometimes, as impractical as it might be, I really do want yet another jacket. Sometimes I need (used loosely) another pair of shoes even when what I already have is more than sufficient. Healthy living, hey?
Of course, yesterday it wasn’t really about the splurge. Thanks to what I like to call the “September slump,” Berlin seems to be approaching winter early. My wardrobe just wasn’t prepared for this weather so a bit of shopping was needed.
I’d heard via Twitter that my favorite fashion label, Topman, had finally started selling clothes in Berlin. Located in the famous department store, KaDeWe, since the end of last month they now sell both mens and womens fashion. FINALLY. Shopping in Berlin has always been hit-or-miss for me. The trend here is almost always for vintage used clothing, which I only have so much patience for. There are only so many bins I can dig through and it seems the trend has become too popular for its own good—prices are just too high for second-hand clothing.
There are plenty of boutique shops in Berlin, but the city’s constant hipster buzz has driven up prices. I’ve typically done my shopping while traveling. This summer that included shopping trips to Barcelona, Antwerp, Helsinki and London. (If you’re curious: Spain is one of my favorite countries for clothes shopping thanks to more than a few budget-friendly, stylish Spanish labels.)
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So, with my short (but successful!) shopping trip to Topman/Topshop in Berlin, it seems just a few hours (and a cool 96€) was all I needed for a lift of spirits. Plus I came away with some pretty cool socks. Retail therapy? Yes, please.
FINALLY! I dont know why they dont have Topman in Germany. Such a huge market!
I know!! It’s pretty exciting. According to this article, Topshop/Topman is now available in Germany at KaDeWe in Berlin, Karstadt in Hamburg, Karstadt in Düsseldorf and Oberpollinger in München.
Perhaps because I had a sister who loved just meandering in malls and shopping areas for hours on end, that I have come to hate shopping. I usually tell people that I wished someone just told me exactly where to go if I needed to get a new product, so that I could skip on the meandering and shorten shopping time.
That being said, when I was in Belgium the other week, I did shop for new leather shoes. From a boutique nonetheless. I haven’t done this much in the past, simply because I was a poor student for the longest time, and yes, I have to say, there’s something therapeutic in carrying a swanky shopping bag knowing what is inside is something new and desired. :)
Leather shoes – nice!
I try not to go shopping too often, but when I do, I make sure it’s a good trip :)
Great post :) I’d have to admit, I enjoy shopping too. I mainly shop online though.
I don’t really have anything against shopping online, but when I use shopping as a from of “retail therapy” I do tend to need to do it in a physical store. Saying that, however, I have been known to buy music & DVDs online in a spur-of-the-moment purchase!
AMEN to retail therapy! I am a FIRM believer in all of it! Too bad a lot of cities here in Spain have the same 6 stores or so (Zara, Bershka, Pimpkie, Stradsomething, H&M, Mango, etc) which is starting to get really boring! Looking forward to going home in NYC in the winter for some real major shopping! Speaking of socks, my best friend is always appalled at the amount of $ I am willing to spend on some good-quality ones – I can’t help it, it does make a big difference!
Oh Antoninette!! I don’t know what you’re saying – ha! I love, love, LOVE shopping in Spain!! They have so many great budget stores with actually great fashion! I remember shopping in Madrid a few years ago (photos!).
And re: socks — I’ve always prided myself on my socks :) I think they’re a great way to add something special to an outfit!
I very like this article, thanks