Would you Prada your way to the loo?

Are you an addict?

What makes one psychologically dependent on an object, a lifestyle, or even a person? You can be addicted to drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. You get cold turkey each time you are deprived of them. "Bad for your health", a common word of advise from many around you.

But addiction extends beyond chemical substances, nicotine and even booze. Regular cravings for shopping can even make you an addict.

A SHOPAHOLIC ->one who shops compulsively or very frequently. Do you belong to this category of people? Is shopping a MUST-HAVE for you each time you get your paycheck? Are you one of those who can never resist a good bargain nor help expanding your wardrobe collection?

Lucky for me, i am not a shopaholic. Can't even remember the last time i shopped for myself. I tend to buy stuff for my loved ones instead. Does that make me a giver? Hmm.. something for me to ponder about later.

Many types of shopaholic (3 deadly sins)

• Clothes
  
• Bags




• Shoes

I do have girlfriends who fall into these category. They make shopping part of their monthly ritual. Burning a hole in their bank account doesn't seem to matter to these single, independent women. An added bonus is when they have those rich boy(frens) to aid in their monthly splurge. Lucky BITCHES.

The worse kind ->The branded freaks. They are the typical HIGH END SHOPAHOLICS. Favourite brands on their list include Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Coach, Prada etc. A very expensive lifestyle to maintain indeed.

I do not mind investing on such brands once in a while (and this i mean once or twice a year). A branded bag can really last unlike those cheap deals you get at Charles & Keith or even Bugis Village. Use them once or twice and you get a tear. Blah.

But, one thing i can never comprehend is to splurge on luxury shoes. Such strong addiction to branded shoes. Is it Nature or nurture? Hmmm....

Many types of shoes, many styles to match the different looks. Women are just crazy and so in love with fashion. Everything has to be couture. Just look at Carey Bradshaw from Sex & the City who spents her money on shoes from Manolo Blahnik. It has to be the MB (mind you, a pair of shoes will cost you at least US$530). What's so unique about this designer footwear, you may ask? Slapped some rich embroidered velvet and satin, crystals and wahlah, you get for yourself a "Luxury artwork for your feet".

One of my not so recent trip in Bangkok, i witnessed a serious brand addict. She was clad from top to bottom, in Burberry. Burberry hat, sunglasses, coat, bag and even shoes! Kinda overdoing it, in my book. Funny thing is, she was standing next to a curb, to a puddle of dirty water. And to her, that gives justice to her favourite designer brand..

Why is it that these women who spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars on designer shoes, never even consider the practicality of it? They are not necessarily the most comfy footwear. Just some attractive embellishments, embroidered brand name and you get promoted in your friend's list? Foolish.

You are no celebrity nor the queen. Even if you are, you will still end up walking on the same path as the rest of us. There is no red carpet for you. You use the same public toilet, eat at the same public restaurants, coffee places etc. Why is it that your feet need that extra luxury? Just go get that overpriced pedicure, feet massage or even spa, instead. Splurge your riches on those. Money better spent.

But not on designer shoes! Why have a footwear with the brand name plastered everywhere on it. Not elegant at all. And who is going to look at the label anyway? Shoes are just shoes!

After sending all those cash, won't it be a pity if anyone mistook your shoes for a fake. It is all about class, people! Either you have it or you don't.