Shopping Addicts

True confessions of a shopping addict

It must be a problem with my genes; they just don't seem to fit. I'll blame it on heredity. And now I have a confession to make. I spend way too much on everything from countless pairs of shoes, pretty handbags and beauty products to just about anything I can get my little hands on. You name it; I have it! And as the saying goes, you are definitely what you buy.

I have the glamorous black bag for the evening, the miniature bag for daytime (that is not the least bit practical!), countless pairs of stiletto heels and an endless supply of shimmery eye shadow in all the different colours of the rainbow! In fact, I have enough eye shadow to fill two bathroom cupboards full!

The day I came to realise that I have a problem is the day I performed the very important "wardrobe cleansing" ritual, which I carry out at least twice a year. This ritual consists of moments of indecisiveness. Should I keep this? Will this be in fashion next season? What possessed me to buy this? You know the drill!

While I battle with myself each time about what to keep and what to discard, my close friends and my darling sister often eagerly wait in anticipation to see what goodies they will be coming home with. My sister in particular loves to scour through the remains of what were once my favourite things.

The last time I proceeded to cleanse my wardrobe, I started to ponder if I DID have a serious problem. I sat myself down and tried to figure out the cause for my compulsion to spend my hard earned cash in a matter of minutes. There were far too many clothes in my wardrobe; in fact, my wardrobe doors were almost coming off their hinges!

I made a vow from that day on that I would be a sensible shopper. Of course, this promise didn't last very long!

It was only after a horrible day at the office one time that I realised that my only solace in the working week would be to have some retail therapy. I discovered buying something filled a void. I satisfy the need I have and the compulsion to buy. I scanned in desperation to find a one-off specialty. Yes, no naming here, "specialty" is a universal term I use for any compulsion I have to fulfil.

Now call me flighty, but based on my compulsion and through sheer skill and intuition, I have managed many times to pick a winner! Glam designer pieces at bargain prices!

At the tender age of 14, I discovered the art of vintage shopping. My favourite chocolate suede coat is my trophy of success. It is still the best thing I have ever bought in my shopping history. It is my winter wardrobe stability.

And who could ever say that shopping is boring? There's always action on the fashion field. A cat fight here, a tug-of-war between two women grumbling over the same bargain. Let men have football, tennis and whatever! Personally my sport involves one huge shopping centre and plenty of cash being spent!

So YES, I'll admit it; I have faults. I have weaknesses. But how can I change now when it is a part of my identity? I was born to shop.

Yes, like my mother before me I have inherited the art of compulsive buying, and being a shop-a-holic!

- Belinda Tartaglia