7 Tips for Clothing Shopping with an Eating Disorder

Clothing shopping is a common challenge for those who struggle with eating disorders. Many experience intense anxiety just thinking about shopping for clothing. Things like having to look for sizes, try on items, or look in mirrors, can be overwhelming. Some individuals may feel undeserving of new clothing, or of clothing that fits well.

Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their clothes, but many avoid shopping altogether. This is a challenge, as there are times where getting new clothing is necessary. (Think about: when starting a new job, with the change of season, or when clothing is too old to wear or no longer fits well.) And sometimes it can be nice to add some fresh items to a wardrobe. If you struggle to shop for clothing, the tips below may help reduce some of the stress of this activity.

Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their clothes...

But before we dive in to tips, you may be wondering why a dietitian is talking about this topic. Believe it or not, shopping for clothing can affect someone’s nutrition! It's an activity that brings attention to the body in different ways. It can impact someone’s mood and their body image. Clothing shopping can be a triggering experience for people living with eating disorders. Any of these factors can make it a lot more difficult to do things like prepare meals or snacks, or follow a meal plan. I often help clients to put together a safety plan around clothing shopping. This can give them a better chance at following with their nutrition and recovery plan.

So here are some of my top tips for clothing shopping with an eating disorder:

1) Start fueled. Stay fueled.

Of course, my first tip is going to be nutrition-related! But seriously, this tip is essential. Shopping can be draining, both physically and mentally. Fuel yourself before and during, so that you have energy that you'll need for this activity. Eat a meal or snack before heading to the store. Bring a snack or plan to pick up a snack or meal while you are out. Take breaks to recharge throughout your shopping.

2) Shop with some support (if that's helpful!).

Some people like to shop alone. For many, shopping for clothing by themselves is difficult. If it is helpful for you to shop with someone, ask a trusted friend or family member to come with you for support. This person can help with looking at size tags (so you don’t have to) and providing their opinion on styles and fit. They can help to support you if you are struggling. They can also remind you to take breaks and help you to follow your nutrition plan. Be sure to ask someone who is supportive and who won’t make comments about bodies (yours, theirs or others!).

3) Avoid looking at tags for sizes when trying on clothing.

Clothing sizes vary from store to store, brand to brand and even within brands. So remember that sizing can be arbitrary! For some, seeing sizes on clothing can trigger challenging thoughts and emotions. You can ask your support person or a store associate to choose options that they believe will work for you. This way, you can focus on how the clothes fit and feel, rather than focusing on those arbitrary sizes on the tags.

4) Pick out multiple sizes to try.

Pick out a range of sizes of clothing. (Again, it may be helpful to have a friend or store clerk pick out the sizes for you, so that you don't need to look at the tags.) Remember - sizes can vary from store to store, between different brands, and even within brands! Ask for a few sizes for each item of clothing, so you can figure out what feels best for each one.

5) Turn your back to the mirror while trying on clothing.

There are so many reasons for this tip! Seeing yourself in the mirror may already be a challenge. Catching a glimpse of yourself while changing may cause body image to plummet in an instant. It's also possible that the items you're trying may not fit the way you like them. Seeing how they look when they don't feel good on your body, can actually distort how you see yourself.

6) Try on for fit and comfort first.

Fit and comfort are the priority! Consider the scenario where an item of clothing looks good but is super-uncomfortable. You will feel your body discomfort any time you wear this piece. This can impact your body image, your nutrition, and other parts of your recovery, each time you wear that clothing! Try the clothing with your back to the mirror, and move around a bit to see what it feels like to move and sit in this clothing. If it fits well and feels comfortable, and if it is safe for you to do so, take one, quick, final check in the mirror. This can allow you to see if it fits your taste and style. If mirrors are unhelpful, ask for your friend’s feedback on the style.

7) Take care of you!

Remember that you don’t have to do it all at once. There may be multiple items that you'd like to shop for, but you may not have the energy to do it all. It's OK to shop for 1-2 things on one trip and plan to go out another time for other items. This can make shopping less daunting, more manageable, and can leave you with some energy left.

Considering a few strategies like these can set you up for a better experience while clothing shopping, and help to keep your nutrition on track.

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Are you looking for support with your eating disorder recovery, or with food or body image challenges? Are you looking for guidance on how to support a loved one with their eating disorder recovery? Book a call to learn more about working together.

Disclaimer:

Blog posts are for informational and educational purposes only. Posts are not considered individual nutrition counselling or a substitute for medical, nutritional or mental health advice. Consult with your healthcare providers for individualized recommendations.