Jan 28 2009
Why Window Shopping is Good for You
Breaking news: My shopping never ends. Okay. You knew that. It’s not breaking news. But my point is that even when I have no money whatsoever, I scour online shops and brick and mortar stores looking at all things delightful and coveting whatever my heart desires. When I’m broke, I window shop.
Many times, friends have turned down my invitations for shopping excursions because they’re low on cash or saving up for something really important, telling me, “I hate seeing stuff I can’t buy.” But I say, go window shopping. Look. Covet. Get inspired. (Note that when I use the word covet, I mean it in terms of a longing desire, not a wrongful desire. Huge difference.)
“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne
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I’m not a spiritual or religious person, but I really believe in the power of visualization. While many use this technique to quit smoking, lose weight or improve their career, I like to apply “The Secret” to fashion. For me, window shopping leads to coveting. Coveting is a form of visualizing. And when I support that vision with faith, I can turn my fashion dreams into a fashion reality. And, I always do.
Farandole Bracelet
If you deny yourself the experience of window shopping because it makes you feel bad for not being able to make purchases, adjust your perspective to view window shopping as a way of setting goals and having something to look forward to. Remember playing “pretend” as a child? Incorporate that game back into your life. Pretend you have $2,000 (or whatever denomination feels comfortable to you). Walk into a Louis Vuitton store (or any store for that matter) and “shop” for what you would buy if you had $2,000 to spend. Have fun with it. Believe it. Give yourself something to look forward to, because if you focus positive energy on the experience, you will be surprised to find yourself owning those same items you were coveting.
as featured on
Some women deny themselves the opportunity to window shop because not being able to make a purchase somehow makes them feel inadequate. I, myself, have been guilty of that in the past. But, it’s a silly emotion with no validity. Would you ever make your parents feel inadequate for not giving you an $80,000 sweet sixteen party that featured your favorite musician as the entertainment? If you’re in a relationship, would you ever belittle your significant other for not buying you a $20,000 necklace? Of course not. So, why do that to yourself? Just because you can’t buy yourself a Chanel bag today, doesn’t mean you are lacking as a human being, and it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to visit the Chanel store and covet all those pretty quilted bags. Treat yourself to breakfast at Tiffany or Chanel or Louis Vuitton or wherever you would like to someday have your dream shopping spree. Absorb the ambiance and know that one day you will be able to go back and buy those things you desire.
Lastly, window shopping leads to inspiration. So many times I’m shopping, looking, coveting and grabbing some gorgeous item, that seems vaguely familiar, only to realize I have something similar in my closet. Maybe it’s not the same style, but it’s the same color, or vice versa. And I note how the store styled the familiar piece on their mannequin and I think, “I’m pretty sure I can do something similar with the pieces from my own wardrobe.” Most of my window shopping results with me in my closet, pulling out my clothes and recreating the looks I saw on my excursion.
You don’t have to window shop in person, you know. You can do it online. There are three tools I highly recommend to help you with your window shopping, coveting, visualizing and playing pretend.
- Wishpot.com – I just discovered this wonderful site via one of my Twitter friends. You can create a visual wish list. And if you download their Wishpot button onto your tool bar, while you are window shopping, you can instantly add an item you covet to your wish list simply by clicking your Wishpot button. You can view my lists here.
- Lucky Magazine’s My Wish List for Facebook – I totally downloaded this application to my Facebook page so I can share my wish list with my Facebook friends. Right now when you download the application, you’re entered to win a $3,000 shopping spree at Endless.com.
- Shop It To Me Email Sale Alert – This is my favorite game to play! I receive a sale alert everyday and I like to pretend the sky’s the limit. Since every item featured is on sale, why shouldn’t I pretend to buy whatever I want? Some days I really do buy something (they send me the greatest deals), but most days I just pretend to buy whatever I wa
nt no matter what the total is.
The other day a dear friend reminded me to, “Dream big, because your dreams do come true.” I recommend you do it, too. Window shop. And window shop BIG.
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No Comments to “Why Window Shopping is Good for You”
I love Shop It To Me
Great post Laura!
Great post! I am guilty of being discouraged from going shopping if I don’t have money … and this is just to go to Target/Kohls/Old Navy! But I had never thought of strolling into the high-end stores to imagine what I’d buy. Visualize!
And I completely feel you on the inspiration in window shopping. Seeing how the mannequins are styled helps me greatly when it comes time to put together outfits. I also clip out styles I like in fashion mags and keep a binder of inspiration…and I do the same thing on Polyvore. Thanks for the links. Wishpot sounds awesome!
Hey Laura Thanks for the Wishpot Love. A great post and I heart your blog! And just so you know Wishpot also has a facebook app and price alerts. We tell you when stuff in your list goes on sale. Nothing like window shopping with a side of saving money. xo