December 2, 2013 by Debbie Roes

Can Ethical Clothing Help Transform Your Relationship with Shopping?

The following is a guest post from Emma of This Kind Choice (UPDATE: Sadly, this blog is no longer online). Emma makes it her mission to make ethical fashion choices simple, stylish and satisfying. It is her belief that fashion that is better for the planet and the people producing it is better for us, too. Emma studies Fashion and Business in Wellington, New Zealand, and loves prints, colour and peanut butter.

If you have an idea for a guest post on “Recovering Shopaholic,” please connect with me to share your thoughts.

I have never been addicted to shopping. And yet I am all too familiar with the overwhelmingly strong pull followed by disgust and self-hatred, with the guilt, with the complete lack of joy in what I consumed. My experiences with disordered eating put me through all of these emotions, and I know them all too well. One thing I found tremendously helpful in my recovery was finding a way of eating that truly aligned with my values (in my case, veganism). Continue reading →

November 14, 2013 by Debbie Roes

My Beefs with the Fashion Industry

Today’s post is one that’s been churning around in my brain for quite some time. In fact, it’s been on my list of post ideas for months, but other topics kept taking precedence. Well, the time is now! I have a number of complaints about the fashion industry and the list keeps growing longer day by day. Although I don’t like to focus on the negative, some things just need to be said.

What complaints do you have about the fashion industry?

I realize I may be preaching to the choir and many of you may share at least some of my complaints. You also may have a few of your own to add to the mix. We may not be able to change the status quo, but we can commiserate with others who feel our pain. The following is a list of my current “beefs” with the fashion industry. I welcome your comments on my rant and any additions you have to the list. Continue reading →

October 2, 2013 by Debbie Roes

How to Tell if a Piece is a Classic

The following is a guest post from Erin DePew (this is Erin’s second guest post – read her first one here). Erin is a web developer and graphic designer who happens to love shoes almost as much as “hackathons.” She also enjoys musing on minimalism, client-side scripting, and the pursuit of the perfect pumps.

If you have an idea for a guest post on “Recovering Shopaholic,” please connect with me to share your thoughts.

Every woman knows that having a closet of classic pieces is the secret to a versatile wardrobe. Of course, actually finding classic pieces is a lot easier said than done. While top-ten lists and fashion blogs are a good place to start, it’s important to take the time to learn your own personal style and to find out what your classics are. Because at the end of the day, some of us are just never going to wear a white button-down.

Can you tell if a piece will stand the test of time?

Even if you know what your personal classics are, it can be overwhelming to wade through the myriad of options out there. Here are five simple ways to tell if a piece is a classic or a trend du jour. Continue reading →

September 6, 2013 by Debbie Roes

Useful Links: Fast Fashion and Ethical Shopping

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week! Since it’s now Friday, it’s time for another useful links round-up. This week, I’m touching upon the topics of “fast fashion” and ethical shopping. These issues have been addressed on the blog a few times in the past, both by me and in a few excellent guest posts. If you’re new to the blog or would like to revisit these articles, click here to view all of the posts in the “Clothing Quality & Sustainability” category.

Ethical Shopping Resources

Today I’m sharing a few articles related to fast fashion and ethical shopping, as well as several links to ethical shopping guides. While there are a number of companies who are committed to producing clothing in socially and environmentally sound ways, I decided to link to a few shopping guides instead of inundating you with links to individual retailers.

Continue reading →

August 12, 2013 by Debbie Roes

Compulsive Shopping Audio Resources

In today’s post, I share some excellent audio resources on the topics of compulsive shopping, fashion ethics, and wardrobe minimalism. Most of these resources can be easily downloaded and listened to while you are driving, exercising, or doing other activities.