How much time do you spend shopping per week?

NancyT

I was just curious...there are so many stylish outfits put together by members on this forum, I was wondering how much time do you think you spend per week in stores shopping, trying on items, etc, or do you do alot of online shopping? I'm always afraid something won't fit if I buy online, so I prefer to shop in person. By the looks of it, I have alot of catching up to do to look as terrific as you ladies!

Forgive me if this question has already been posted ;o)

17 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

shiny

Veteran

I check things out online first, then try on in the store. I prefer shopping in person but the internet is a great resource for narrowing down my game-plan first.

If you don't count internet "window" shopping, and you don't count excursions where the purpose is to shop for kids' clothes not my own, I probably spend just a few hours each week shopping.

I don't live near a mega-mall so it means that my Ann Taylor and BR are in a different place than my Ann Taylor Loft and Jcrew. Filene's basement is in another direction entirely, and H&M is a special trip. So I am less apt to spend an entire day hitting the mall. Instead, I'll slip out for a quick trip to hit just one or two stores.

Tuesdays or Wednesdays are the best day to go to Banana Republic, if anyone is interested. That's when they get in their shipments.

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Some weeks I don't do any shopping at all. I typically shop on an as needed basis. Shopping for specific items, not browsing and trying on for fun tends to work best for me these days. I do a lot of online shopping, and in store returning. I find I'm more willing to try something different if I don't have to try it on in a store. So, I'll buy online, if it does not fit or look nice, I'll return it to an actual store. So, including online shopping, I'd say I probably spend 4 to 5 hours a month.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I shop for a living! Does that count?

17 years ago

christie

Active Member

Angie has our collective dream job.

I rarely shop. I think once a week I may hit an online store or two to look, not buy, but my actual shopping is usually limited to when I need something. I would say that I go shopping about two times per month, if that. Shopping for me is usually hitting a boutique or two. I avoid malls at all costs, especially the one local to me (it's awful!).

I should say that this is really a practical thing. I live in a small town and refuse to drive, so my options are limited. Plus, my husband and I are struggling under the enormous weight of student loans (5 degrees between the two of us; 2 of mine were from a private graduate school, and we had no help from our parents, if that gives you an idea), and he would prefer we spend our limited expendable income on good food and wine rather than clothing for me. I'm sure once we are a bit more stable financially, I will hit the shops more often.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

On average, I probably go to physical stores (usually at the mall, where I then hit about 3 stores in one evening) twice a month. I do a lot of online browsing, though, and sometimes order online.
I often have "shopping bursts", though, where I go shopping (to physical stores) 3 times within 10 days, e.g. at the beginning of spring or fall seasion shopping, or when I'm with my mom who loves to shop. And then I'll have a month where I don't go at all.
Does YLF count as shopping? I hope not, cause then my hours really add up fast I sure get a lot of ideas and information here, though, which sometimes leads to a purchase.

17 years ago

judy

Veteran

In an urban setting, I pass stores all the time in my regular every day (walking) errands around town. So my in person shopping mostly looks like just popping in, and if there is something there I need, I tend to get it very quickly and move on, so it takes very very little time. It's scary how little time it can take! My last purchase was a colorful little bandanna I got at Urban outfitters for 4.99 (attached to my grocery store), on the way to buy milk.

About half of my shopping is online...this literally takes minutes...as we all know only too well. Like when Angie posted the Swann shoes, I went to the website and ordered them straight away...it took five minutes. For some reason they gave me free over night shipping, and by noon the next day I had them. The returns are easier too, I find...I have a UPS store and a post office just a couple of blocks away.

So if you add up all the time, maybe it's a couple of hours a week? But your post makes me think I might want to pay more attention to how much time I do spend. Shopping is just the way I move through the world :)...but I don't always buy things.

Interestingly enough, the last time I was at the Mall was when they were fixing my laptop and I had time just to "kill" shopping...it was way longer (hours) than I usually spend, aimlessly looking, and I actually got sick of shopping! It made realize how purposeful and steamlined most of my shopping habits have become.

I too go through bursts, when it's kind of consuming, literally, as in I purchase more, then it levels off...and I don't think about it. I also clean out my closets regularly and sell them at another store that is just blocks away too ( I usually give the credit to my kids to use)...or gift them to others or to charity, as I live in an old apartment with a very small closet. So I'm probably just trying to make myself feel better, but if it's any consolation, others benefit from what might seem like my time consuming obsession :).

Now if you ask how much time I think about clothes, or I spend recently on the YLF forum...do I have to count that too? That might be many more hours!

17 years ago

Anonymous

I love all these new survey-like topics! Reading everyone's responses is so interesting.

My name is Lissy and I am a shopaholic. Fashion and clothing is a little obsession of mine, so I spend a lot of thought and time into my wardrobe. I don't really spend money on other things except food and gas, so I guess it's my biggest interest and hobby. I usually browse the internet at least once a day, visiting my favorite online stores (shopbop, revolve, bloomingdales, etc.) and of course, YFL. However, I probably only purchase online once a month, if that, usually from places I can't physically visit or on things not available in the store. So I'd probably average my online browsing/shopping as one hour per day, so seven hours per week.

As for physically going to stores and shopping, I pretty much go look around whenever I am bored. I'm a college student, so usually from September-June, I'm very busy and go maybe once a week for a few hours. However, this summer I only work 1-3 times per week, so I have a lot of free time. So recently, I have been going 2-3 times per week, sometimes only for an hour, other times, for a whole day if I go "destination shopping" (to the city or a shopping center more than 30 minutes away). I guess if I had to average, it would be about 5-7 hours a week.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I probably spend a couple for hours per week browsing for stuff online, but am currently not buying anything I regularly check my favorite discount websites.

Shopping in real stores, it is usually on the order of once a month for an afternoon, in a mall or similar place where there are more stores close to each other. When I'm really looking for something, than it might be twice a month, but I'm much more of an online shopper.

17 years ago

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