Shopping: love it or hate it?

Clothes shopping is known as the ultimate girly pastime but a survey by online clothes retailer Marisota has revealed that one in three women hate it.

With reasons ranging from ill-fitting garments to long changing room queues to feeling intimidated by the sales staff, apparently even 15% of women have gone so far as to cry on a shopping trip. So what do Team Reveal think about shopping – do they love it or hate it?



Love it! says Reveal's Senior Features Writer, Sarah Whiteley, 28

I couldn't believe it when the survey found a third of women hated shopping – come on, girls! What's not to love?

Whether I'm on my own or with friends, shopping is literally my favourite way to spend a Saturday morning – or, in fact, any other time of the week.

Browsing through the aisles, flicking through the hangers and finding a little gem hidden at the back of the store gives me a rush like nothing else (like the sort some people say you get from exercise – actually, shopping is probably the closest I get to working out).

And then jumping into the changing rooms with a handful of dresses / skinny jeans / sheer blouses (delete as appropriate – or maybe you won't have to if it's a good shopping day!). Even when they don't fit properly, it's always a laugh to see exactly how ridiculous you look.

And the best bit is when you find that perfect outfit, the one that makes your waist look tiny and your boobs look just big enough. All ready just for your next night out.

And even if I don't buy anything, it doesn't bother me. After all, I've had a great morning without spending any of the money!

Hate it! Says Reveal's Deputy Celebrity Editor, Nikhita Mahajan, 30

Pushing, shoving and cramped in a room (no matter how big) full of stinky, sweaty people – THAT is why I hate shopping.

Add into the mix the fact that the shops never have the item you want - and if they do, it's not in your size. Despite having stock rooms full of, er, stock, they can never be bothered to check – telling you that "what's on display is all we've got".

Don't even get me started on the changing rooms. With curtains that don't close properly, locks that don't work, and the lingering smell of whoever was in there before you – it's just plain unpleasant.

You'll try on 10 outfits and you're lucky if one of them looks nice.

The survey says that 8 out of 10 people would enjoy shopping more if they were skinny. That's what I used to think, until I shed two stone last year. And I'll be honest, there were tears. But who can blame me when, despite losing all that weight, the clothes still didn't fit properly – and the bodycon dresses STILL made me look fat.

But the worst thing of all about shopping is the other shoppers. It's no secret that sales bring out the worst in people, and these days there is always some sort-of sale going on.

It's stressful, it's busy. And if you happen to be in a shop that's not busy, the sales assistants put you under so much pressure that you feel obliged to buy something.

Obviously there are exceptions, but these experiences are few and far between. I'm not a massive fan of online shopping either (who can be bothered to post things back when they don't fit?). In fact, shopping in general is a horrible, time-consuming experience I'd just rather not deal with!

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