Before You Buy That Dress/ Retail Therapy/ How To Cure It

If you are like me and retail therapy is your go-to when you are stressed or moody, this article was made for you. I am not here to say that retail therapy is bad for you or that you shouldn’t take that 15-minute trip to the mall and walk around the stores trying on new dresses, no. But before you do that, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

Can You Afford It?

Before you go into that store and pick those dresses off the rack, you need to pause and ask yourself if you can afford them. I am not asking if you can buy it and pay later. Can you afford to buy it with cash without a necessity or a bill being left behind? Can you afford it without drinking Garri or eating only noodles for the next one month?

Do You Need It?

You need to ask yourself if you truly need it. Are you going to walk around naked if you don’t buy it? Do you have other clothes in your wardrobe that can replace them? If you answer that you won’t go naked without it and you have other clothes you can wear, now is the time to walk away from those stores.

Do You Have It in Another Color?

Yes, we have all been there, you have that particular outfit you love so much and one day, you are wandering around stores and you noticed they have stocked the same outfit in other colors. Sis, if you already have that outfit in one color, you don’t need to buy it in a new color. Buying it in another color will only lead to you having two clothes in your wardrobe that look alike and you being confused about which one to wear in the not-so-distant future.

Do You Have a Similar Outfit?

Variety they say is the spice of life, if you agree, why then are you buying outfits that look the same? Why not explore available style options if not knowing how to pair outfits is the issue, don’t worry, TikTok and Pinterest are full of ideas on how to pair outfits and how to combine colors.

Is There a Purpose for It?

I know women love new dresses and shiny things but is there a purpose for buying them? Before you pay for that dress, is there an occasion you need it for? It could be a friend’s wedding, a baby shower, that first date, a funeral, or even a work event. If your answer is no, then put that dress back on the rack.

Can You Wear Something Else?

If after you have asked yourself, all the questions we listed in the last subheading, you still want to buy that dress, then there’s one more question to ask; do you need it specifically for that event because it’s the chosen dress for the event or you can simply wear something else you already have and won’t cost you money right now.

Are You on a Budget?

Ok, too many questions, this is the last one I promise. If you are on a budget, retail therapy isn’t the best comfort for you. We don’t also think you should be wandering around the mall if you are on a budget. The mall is full of temptations for a shopaholic but if you aimed to clear your head, why not head to the nearest park or just walk down your street, it could be a great chance to meet your neighbors.

Is It Your Size?

We know we said it was the last question and we have tried all we can to stop you from buying that outfit but we just wanted to ask; have you tried on the dress, is it your size, does it fit you like a glove? if not, this is your sign to put it back on the rack.

You may think buying new dresses and accessories will help manage your stress but no, all it will do is help blow through your finances and the stress will return. Instead of going to that store, take a hike, ski, go to the nearest park or take a walk.