Shopping for Clothes Without Shame: A Guide for Eating Disorder Recovery
Clothes shopping isn’t easy for most people, and when you’re in eating disorder recovery, it can bring up an extra layer of stress.
Trying things on often leads to body checking, comparing sizes, or getting stuck in front of the mirror. Add in crowded stores, bright lights, and well-meaning sales associates, and it can feel like way more than “just shopping.”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people in recovery share that clothes shopping is a challenge. The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to push through it without support, there are ways to make the process gentler and more manageable.
Why Clothes Shopping Can Feel So Overwhelming
Shopping isn’t really just about clothes.
It’s also about the feelings and thoughts that come up when our bodies change, or when sizes don’t match what we expect. Bodies naturally shift, especially during recovery, and that often means clothing sizes change too.
Even when we remind ourselves that numbers on tags don’t define our worth, it’s easy to feel discouraged.
To make things even harder, clothing sizes are inconsistent between brands. A pair of jeans in one store might be two sizes different from the “same” pair in another, and it has nothing to do with your body.
Gentle Strategies for Shopping
Because of these challenges, it can help to set yourself up with a plan before heading out. Some strategies that many people find helpful include:
· Go in with a plan: Make a short list of what you need and stick to it. This keeps the trip focused rather than open-ended.
· Bring support: A trusted friend or family member can help you feel less alone, and remind you of what really matters if body checking starts to creep in.
· Set limits: Decide ahead of time how long you’ll shop. Knowing there’s an end point can make the process feel less draining.
· Plan self-care afterward Whether that’s going for a walk, taking a nap, or doing something soothing at home, give yourself time to reset.
What Healthy Looks Like Here
Therapy for eating disorders is about more than the “what” of eating, it’s about finding compassion for your food, your body, and yourself. Clothes are simply tools to support your life, not measurements of worth.
Sometimes, the healthiest choice is buying what fits comfortably today, without worrying about what size it is or what size you think it “should” be.
Recovery means making space for flexibility and kindness, even in something as everyday as shopping.
Moving Forward
If shopping feels like one of the harder parts of recovery, know that you don’t have to figure it out alone. These challenges are valid, and they’re something we can work through together in therapy. I provide therapy for eating disorders and disordered eating across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
You deserve clothing that lets you live your life, not clothing that keeps you stuck in worry or shame.
If you’d like support with this or other parts of recovery, please reach out.
