According to a study from Australia, while thinner women regard shopping for clothes as a pleasurable experience, many obese or even slightly overweight women often find it a cheerless one.
"The difficulty many larger women have in finding clothing that fits and looks good understandably makes shopping for clothes a negative experience," professor Marika Tiggemann of Flinders University in Australia told The Daily Mail.
The survey of 162 women shoppers aged between 18 and 55 from the city of Adelaide examined the link between clothing and body image. Results were published in journal Body Image.
The respondents were asked to rate statements such as 'I usually find clothes shopping a positive experience' on a scale of one to five, with high scores indicating they agreed with the statements. In general, thinner women saw shopping as a pleasurable experience while larger-sized women didn't enjoy it as much. But the average score was three - indicating to researchers that women overall were ambivalent about shopping. Researchers said the study questioned the often-noted therapeutic value women are generally believed to receive from clothes shopping.
Speaking to Adelaide Now, Ms. Tiggemann likened shopping to "fantasy realm" for some women.
"They're looking for that one thing that makes them look absolutely gorgeous, and when they can't find it, they get quite down," she said. "Women do like shopping. It has promise and hope but can turn into something that's a bit depressing. The term retail therapy doesn't actually apply to a lot of women."
The study also found women with a lower body mass index shopped with fashion in mind, while those with a higher BMI were more likely to buy items that camouflaged their figure.
Stirling Griff, a retail analyst in Australia, disputed the study's results.
"Shopping is pretty much akin to sitting down and eating a box of chocolates - it's one of those emotional things that makes you feel good," he said.
Discussion Questions: Is the assumed "retail therapy" women gain from clothes shopping overestimated? What else can apparel retailers do to make shopping a more pleasant experience for larger-sized women?
- Is retail therapy reality or rubbish? - Adelaide Now
- Shopping's fun..,if you're thin: Overweight debunk myth that all women enjoy retail therapy - The Daily Mail
- Shopping for clothes: Body satisfaction, appearance investment, and functions of clothing among female shoppers - Body Image (Payment Required)