The other day I spent about $500 on new clothes and harbor absolutely no regrets for doing so. Why? Because I spent the money not on quantity but rather on quality.

Usually, I’m incredibly frugal. I believe in bargain hunting, coupons, and sales racks, and to spend over $10 on a meal usually makes me think twice. When it comes to clothes, however, I subscribe to a different philosophy: to get clothes that last and look great, sometimes you need to spend a little money.

Don’t get me wrong – I don’t drop hundreds of dollars every time I go shopping. I buy basics (tank tops, t-shirts, etc) for fairly cheap at Target, and spend a lot of time in thrift stores and consignment shops. But it’s nice to treat yourself sometimes, don’t you think? Well-made clothing simply looks better, and therefore makes you feel better.

During my retail therapy, I bought three pairs of these awesome pants from Nepal. They are flowy and comfortable, and I’ve gotten compliments every time I wear them. They are light enough to wear on summer nights, and roomy enough for me to wear leggings or tights underneath during the cooler weather in Vermont. Best of all, they camouflage my compression garments nicely! That’s all I really look for in pants these days.

It’s been difficult for me to get dressed recently, because I’ve struggled a lot with my recovery from the eating disorder and feel as if nothing looks good on me anymore. While my sister is dressing up in cute skirts and tops, I’m in baggy shirts and pants, hiding my body. I look like a dumpy, drab slob. It’s frustrating beyond belief, and I’m trying to change the way that I regard my body – hence the retail therapy. So, here’s to hoping that having nice clothes will enable me to feel better while wearing them! I would love to have some confidence back.

What about you? What do you do to boost your self-esteem? Please share in the comments section below!