What You Should Know...Before You Go Shopping

Now that we know the fashion trends for this spring
                         it's time to have some fun.  Time to
                              GET OUT AND SHOP!
Most women relish the opportunity to spend a day at the mall, perusing store windows and racks, chatting with friends, and bringing home a wardrobe of new, stylish clothes. Here are some tips I hope will help you make the most of your shopping experience. (And I can say, I definitely know a "lil sumthin sumthin" about Shopping!)

~Dress well. In order to spend less and buy wisely, dress in comfortable clothes. While you're at it, eat before you go. Try it. It's just like the rule about grocery shopping on a full stomach. 

~Shop with a plan. It's much better if you have at least some idea of what you want to buy. Create a budget before hand and write it down. 

~Keep an ongoing list of what clothes you need. Make a note to yourself as you get dressed in the morning. (I need a wider belt...etc) I can keep my list in my head but if you can't, or this is something new for you, try writing it down and posting it in your closet.

~Dedicate an entire shopping day to hard to shop for items or items that you really enjoy. For instance, you may hate to shop for swim suits or jeans. Give yourself a full day and focus on just that task. Similarly, you may love to shop for shoes. Have a wonderful day, focused on just shoes. 

~Don't buy it just because it fits. We already talked about this. And really, why would you buy something that makes you look "bad" just so you can be "in fashion"?

~Stay focused on the clothing items you need. Make it a rule to have a definite purpose in mind for any item you buy. 

I usually try items on but some people shop without trying anything on. I have never had much success with that but If you decide to try on the clothes, ALWAYS try them on in front of a three-way mirror. 

~Choose your shopping companion c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y. I love to shop alone - but if you don't like to - take someone who is as well dressed or better dressed than you and who has your best interests at heart.  Think about it. You don't want someone who is just going to tell you that everything you try on looks 

good on you. 

Which brings me to my next point. And, this is a very important 

~Listen to the sales person at your own risk. Many of them are very good. I worked at Nordstrom once for a short time over a holiday season. I can tell you, we worked very hard to satisfy our customers. And some sales people, like myself, had experience in fashion and image consulting. Take stock of how the sales person is dressed and their overall appearance. We've all seen those sales people who look like they just rolled out of bed or like they are wearing every last piece of clothing they own...all at the same time (sorry Berkeley-ites). Now, of course you should be open to suggestion, but if you have assessed your appearance and you know your ass looks terrible in that outfit but the salesperson goes on and on about how GREAT it looks, Beware. Lots of salespeople are on commission. And most importantly, YOU are the one who has to wear it. If you aren't sure, don't buy it. I often put things on hold and then continue shopping. After I've had some time to think and I still like it, then I go back. More times than not, I never go back. 

and Last but not least

~Shop for clothes of high quality that will stand the test of time. Clothes shopping is an investment. To get the best bang for you buck, if you find an item that looks great and you know you can use it with a particular outfit, or two, buy it multiples. You can't go wrong. 

After a spectacular day of shopping, reward yourself with a cupcake or some frozen  yogurt.                                                                   Good Job!!

         

       I'm Just Sayin