“Choose your clothes consciously, as they are your outward expression to this world. Be bold in your own way.Dress for you and nobody else. Embrace colors, fabrics and patterns that make you shine!” Margaret Manning, Aging Beautifully.
I recently shared with you my mother’s love of Loehmann’s shopping. I believed she had special powers or radar that would direct her to the best deals and to the styles that best suited her and made her shine! Of course, it didn’t hurt that she shopped every day and made friends with the saleswomen who would put new items aside for her.
My sister and I inherited the “shopping gene” from my mom, but my daughter Jamie did not. It got me thinking…Is it the thrill of the hunt, or is it really genetic (23 and Me?) Don’t women love to shop and men love sports?
According to an evolutionary psychologist, Daniel Kruger, at the University of Michigan, it’s all in the genes; he argues that it’s natural for women to love to shop and men to hate it because of our evolutionary past. “ Men were hunters (conquering stuff) in our ancestral culture so when they find a satisfactory specimen, whether a deer, or a pair of shoes, they want to shoot it (get it) and leave before it gets away. Women, by contrast, were gatherers (finding stuff) so they feel the need to check every berry on the bush to make sure they are getting the best deal.”
However, shopping as in serious bargain hunting, is not a primordial urge. It began historically as an offshoot of advertising and commercialism and a way to encourage women to feel in charge, inviting them to make decisions and choices of their own.
“Shopping holds out the intoxicating promise of controlling one’s own destiny and getting what you really want”, says Polly Young-Eisendrath in “Ladies Love to Shop, I Know Why”. Is that really true or does the fashion industry want to make all the decisions for you so that you spend more money?
Love it or hate it, shopping has become a part of our lives for decades. Now in our fifties, sixties and beyond, we find ourselves with more time to shop when and how we want. As a result, I have been forced to put the parental controls on my tv for QVC and HSN (Home Shopping Network).
As an avid online shopper, my phone would automatically dial 1 800 345 1212, and even my Yorkie Lucky knew the phone number. Being retired and on a very fixed income has been a big adjustment; I am currently in withdrawal mode, not having any exposure for two months. It has not been easy, but is necessary. My bank account thanks me.
I have been taking the advice of a fellow blogger at chicatanyage.com and shopping my closet, as well as using accessories I already own to update my outfits and so far so good. If you are a boutique shopper, check out my friend Kelli’s new store opening next week in Setauket, New York called Collective Clothing Boutique.
As always, I welcome and appreciate your comments and feedback. I am scheduled for a second wrist surgery on Wednesday and hope to be back to blogging very soon. XOXO. Penny
Resources
Ladies Love to Shop and I Know Why by Polly Young-Eisendrath
Why Women Love to Shop Psychology Today
Sixtyandme.com. Aging Beautifully cards by Margaret Manning
I used to love to shop with you. The hours we would spend…. Now the only shopping I do is at La Sirena the Dominican equivalent to Walmart. I get food and that’s about it. I miss the hunt for bargains but I don’t have the stamina anymore. My sister and my Mother had the marathon shopping gene. I’m glad to hear you are utilizing “parental controls” 😂😂😂. I’m a little worried about our adventure in September and what I will have in a suitcase. Thank God for Amazon and Soma online. Only problem is: I have to wait too long to even lay eyes on the merchandise. Good luck with the surgery. You got this. It’s going to be easier and better than the last one 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Love you.
I hardly ever go shopping any more. I miss our DSW and Marshall’s and TJMaxx bargain hunts too. It’s no fun without you!