This Sounds Ridiculous... And I Wouldn't Blame You For Laughing Either

[SPKrazy]

I have a clothes shopping phobia. I mean a real PHOBIA about it.

I am getting to a point where I NEED to go clothes shopping. I get a little panicked at the thought of it.

I'm not sure what the issue is, but at this point I just know that the thought of clothes shopping brings on a sweat and feelings of anxiety. Actually doing it has a few times led to me just leaving and going home. That leads me to feeling really stupid. I know it isn't a matter of intellect. I have had phobic and anxiety problems all my life. This is one that has not gone away.

I've depended on others to help me with this (example stbx) and I'm not sure what to do except face it head on.

Yeah, there's the internet, but I need to at least go size myself first and I am not ever able to just do it online for some reason. Although I have no idea why not.

Hmm....

any ideas?

anyone else feel this way?

:hi:

[deucemagnet]

1. The weather's getting nice...

...and there's usually a 5K fun run or a benefit race or something every weekend. You usually get a t-shirt for participating. Stretch those hamstrings! You can have quite a wardrobe by November!

[SPKrazy]

6. LOL yeah

Not things I can wear to work though but thanks, it would be good to run

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Southpawkicker...

I would never laugh at you...

Lots of folks have phobias...

I'd suggest that you go online for some catalogs...

I like Lands' End, myself...

The catalogs have directions for how to measure yourself...

Once you find out your true size, you're set!

I buy most of my clothes this way...

I hate shopping...

Shoes are about the only item I buy in a store, these days...

:hug:

[SPKrazy]

12. good idea

thanks

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

3. believe it or not, I am somewhat agoraphobic.

I am not sure how one gets over these things.

[Shakespeare]

4. Get yourself a tape measure, and revisit the online idea.

If you're really brave, you can get GREAT deals on eBay; just don't be shy about emailing sellers for specific measurements if they don't list them on the auction.

And Land's End, et al., are fabulous for clothes shopping for men.

[AlCzervik]

5. i'm not laughing, i had a huge case of mall rage yesterday so even though it's not

the same thing i get annoyed just thinking about shopping, i hate it.

Have you thought maybe of taking your son with you, that might make it a little easy for you, he can help you pick out clothes. My husband and daughter shop together and it's kind of sweet, they're like each others fashion police.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. I'm available as personal shopper.

:hi:

[SPKrazy]

16. Really...

we'll have to talk more about that :hi:

:hug:

[HeresyLives]

8. Yup, catalogs

I hate shopping. Haven't the patience for it. Whereas catalogs you can look at anytime, anywhere. Measure yourself properly, and check them out.

[SPKrazy]

17. Yeah, I guess a clothes tape measure would be a good place to start

order some catalogs

:shrug:

:hi:

[nomorenomore08]

9. I buy most of my clothes at thrift stores, so at least the prices don't scare me.

But otherwise, I can totally relate. I dislike shopping of any kind, more or less, but clothes take the cake by far.

[SPKrazy]

15. yeah, I don't know if it is the prices

I've had plenty of money to buy clothes and not felt good about it.

I'm not a shopper and it seems to be a combination of factors that create that

[Chan790]

10. It's not ridiculous

I'm not phobic of it, but I'm not good at it. I have a very close friend who is a fashion buyer for a department store...I often give her a list of the general sort of clothes I need. (Suit for interview, classy shirt for date, slacks I can wear to work, etc.) and money and have her shop for me because I know that I'm going to look like a million dollars.

Honestly, if I found out tomorrow that she was going to K-mart and pocketing 90% of the money...I wouldn't care. I'd look at it as an investment in me and payment for services rendered. Her taste is impeccable.

Ok, so I guess this requires a point...hire a personal shopper. They do most of the work, you try on the clothes. Some people actually like shopping...and they're fucking great at it .:shrug: Why not use that to your advantage?

[SPKrazy]

14. that's an idea

I know some people who love to shop.

Hmmm...

well why not use that?

:pals:

[shanine]

11. I too hate clothes shopping

I hate malls, trying clothes on, blah, blah, blah.
When I get desperate enough, I have to psyche myself up to go.

I will plan in my head when and where to go, and if the anxiety hits, I just don't go.

I try for another day or night. Eventually the time is right, I am feeling right, etc., and I

can get it done. This can sometimes take a month or more after making the decision.

I have no trouble with other stores such as grocery shopping.

I feel for you . . I do understand . . . good luck . .

take it easy, do a little at a time, or whatever feels right.
:hug:

[SPKrazy]

13. Thanks Shanine

:hug:

I will and do some of the same thing.

I used to be fearful of grocery shopping :shrug: not anymore, so maybe someday this too shall pass.

I appreciate it

[Truthiness Inspector]

18. I really, really, really loathe shopping too

I hate the whole process of bringing clothes into the fitting room, oh too big, too small, too itchy, cuts off my circulation in one place or another, too poofy in another place, whatever.

I usually buy clothes, try them on at home, and then if they don't fit I take them back the next day. And better yet, I buy from places where I know what size/style works so I cut down on having to trek back for returns.

Having said that, you may have to trudge out there and find a few places/brands/sizes that work for you so that in the future you can for the most part dash in and out with some assurance the clothes will fit properly. The best advice would probably be to get over this hang-up, but I practice what I preach and I'm not there yet myself, LOL.

[SPKrazy]

19. I wish it were just a hangup

it has led to full blown panic

But what you say is an idea.

I hate returning things too.

:shrug:

thanks

:hi:

[Truthiness Inspector]

20. I posted before reading all the replies

and it sounds like the posters suggesting a personal shopper might be right on the money for you.

It'll still involve trying things on, but at least you'd be in your own space, and once the personal shopper and you got in a "groove" you'd be stylin'. If I ever feel the need to overhaul my wardrobe, I may do the same now that I'm thinking about it.

[SPKrazy]

22. cool idea

I will look at this

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

21. get yourself a good soft tapemeasure and then go here

http://www.landsend.com/customerservice/size_charts/menSizes.html

take measurements, then shop online here, AND the customer service people are great! just call em and they'll help you out

the clothes are excellent quality and will last you for years

[SPKrazy]

23. Thanks AZ I will do that

:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

24. be sure to check their overstock pages

some GREAT deals there!