Lots of people, particularly men, poke fun at retail therapy but it really does work.
Sometimes, you need to get out and make yourself feel better. Buying things that make you feel good or pretty can be a way of temporarily assuaging the pain inside.
If it is happening all the time or causing you to spend money beyond your means, you should be seeking help but the occasional bout of retail therapy is a fun, harmless way to improve your mood.
I’m admittedly not a big clothes shopper. I love to window shop and I adore shoes. Self-esteem sometimes gets in my way when it comes to trying on clothes so I avoid it when I’m already feeling blue.
Shoes though are a different story. Shoes I can try on and feel great without worrying about how my butt looks or if it emphasizes the wrong part of me. There’s something about the right pair of shoes or boots that makes you walk prouder or even strut depending on the footwear. They can make you feel sexy when you were feeling dowdy or sophisticated when you were feeling like your life was too dull.
My pocketbook isn’t suited to big shopping trips at high end boutiques but when it comes to window shopping, nothing is better. You might have to hold off on making a lot of purchases, but indulging yourself with one or two items that you will end up treasuring for years to come is a great way to make your day.
The world has many great shopping districts and, to a certain degree, the best is determined by what you are shopping for. These five have a lot to offer almost every shopper. The fashionistas and celebrities who can afford to do more than window shop frequent these streets.
If window shopping is enough of a pick-me-up for you or you have the budget to really indulge yourself, these are the places to go.
1. Fifth Avenue – New York City, USA
New York is a shopping mecca. There are lots of places to go including Madison Ave, SoHo, and, of course, Fifth Avenue. I’m not even sure a trip to New York would be complete without visiting at least one of these shopping hall of fame districts.
You can practically hear the retailers calling out to you. The fun is deciding where to go first. Should it be Saks Fifth Avenue? Or maybe it’s a Bergdorf Goodman day? For those who need to indulge in designer labels, there’s Gucci, Christian Dior, Versace, Tiffany and famous jeweller Harry Winston’s. For those like me that have to have shoes, there is Ferragamo’s.
When you get tired of fancy clothes and shoes (is that possible?) you can always head over to FAO Schwartz and pretend you’re a kid again.
2. Bond Street – London, United Kingdom
This is one of the most expensive and exclusive shopping districts in the world. You have to be pretty special to be a Royal Warrant holder (supplier to the Royal Family) and Bond Street has many such holders. You can find virtually anything here.
Yes, there are clothes and shoes. Alexander McQueen’s has a shop here and it doesn’t get more exclusive than designing a royal wedding dress. Sotheby’s, Asprey and Phillips all have locations here as well. There are art dealers, antiques, and jewellers and a who’s who of British designers.
Bond Street has history on its side as well. Jane Austen mentions it in Sense and Sensibility because even in the early 1800s it was the place to go when you needed to shop. Many of its stores were once homes to the rich and famous including artists and politicians.
3. Bahnhofstrasse – Zurich, Switzerland
It’s hard to believe that this beautiful venue was once known as Fröschengraben or Frog’s Moat. Originally, this stretch was a swampy, reptile-filled body of shallow water. Today, it’s a gorgeous place for a stroll even if you don’t intend to shop and it’s a must if you do intend to shop.
Like Bond Street, Bahnhofstrasse has a long history. It was given its current name in 1864. It links the train station with the banks, waterfront, and shops featuring some of Switzerland’s best known retailers.
Like Bond Street, there is more than just clothes and shoes to be found although there are plenty of those. Almost every major Swiss watch retailer from Omega to Bucherer has a store here.
There are also china shops, furs, accessories and many chocolatiers, including the world famous Sprüngli. So, shop until your feet can’t go any further and then settle in for a chocolate indulgence like no other.
4. Ginza Line – Tokyo, Japan
The Ginza Line is actually 8 blocks of shopping and people watching paradise. It has its fair share of designer stores like Chanel, Cartier, and Bulgari, alongside famed Japanese department stores such as Mitsukoshi, Wako and Matsuya. For those who love jewelry, you’ll have to visit Mikimoto’s flagship store.
One of the more unique aspects of the stores is that many are ten or more stories of shopping delights. Mixed in with the stores are Kabuki theaters, nightclubs, and restaurants.
Prior to the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake, the area was best known for being the location of a silver coin mint from 1612 to 1800. The word “ginza” actually means silver mint. It’s development as a shopping district began after the earthquake.
5. Avenue Montaigne – Paris, France
There is no such thing as a list of shopping districts that doesn’t include Paris. For many, haute couture remains indelibly linked to the French.
There are lots of choices within Paris as well. The most famous of them are Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne. It’s hard to say which is better. Faubourg Saint-Honoré has Caron, Lancôme, Lanvin, Valentino, Hermès, Comme des Garçons, and many famous galleries and buildings. It even has Vogue’s head office.
Avenue Montaigne has most of the couture houses including Chanel, Christian Dior, Guy LaRoche, Nina Ricci, and Emanuel Ungaro. Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, and many other luxury retailers also have a presence on the avenue. It stretches between the Champs Elysées and the Seine River.
Whichever one you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Honorable mentions:
Rodeo Drive – Beverly Hills, United States
Who didn’t want to shop on Rodeo Drive after the movie Pretty Woman came out? Not only can you shop to your heart’s content, you can also take in all that is Hollywood at its retail best.
Via Monte Napoleone – Milan, Italy
Italy is almost as famous as France when it comes to fashion and style. Like the French, the Italians are famous for combining the best in clothing and shoes with great wine and fine food. There is no better way to end your day.
In moderation, retail therapy is a great way to let a bit of steam off and get those endorphins pumping. While most of the time, we are restricted to local shopping venues, it’s great to know that these places exist to fill our wildest purchasing fantasies. It’s also worth remembering when you take your next vacation.
After all, why not combine your pleasures while on vacation and do some shopping too.
Cover photo: www.hypemeanseverything.com
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