Article by Outfit:
Below is a list of my Shopping Tips... As I'm out shopping with clients quite often, I notice what works & what doesn't during shopping trips. So I thought I'd post these tips here for you all. Hopefully they will make shopping easier and more enjoyable for you!
BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING...
1. Make a list before you go shopping.
Take stock of your wardrobe and see what things you need to invest in to work with what you already have, and fill in the gaps in your wardrobe. Keep in mind upcoming events that you will be attending, and what you will need to wear to those. (What do you have that you can use for the events? You may not need to buy a whole new outfit, rather just accessories or a new top).
2. Have a budget in mind.
Try to stick to your budget as much as possible. I know that sales can be enticing, and "Oh my goodness, what a bargain! It would be a sin not to get it!" can flash through your mind many times over, but keep the list in mind, and keep the budget in mind too. This will save you from your guilty morning-after feelings.
3. Dress well.
You will always be treated better by shop assistants if you are dressed well while shopping. Call it shallow, but it's a fact of life - people respond differently to you depending on how you present yourself. You are much more likely to get the help and attention you need if you are dressed well.
4. Wear clothes that are easy to take on & off.
One of the excuses I hear from ladies who don't enjoy shopping is that they hate feeling all flustered and hot from getting undressed & dressed again so many times. Make it easier on yourself. Avoid wearing stockings if you are going shopping for a pair of shorts. Wear clothing that isn't hard to take on or off, you'll thank yourself for it.
5. Wear shoes that are easy to take on & off.
Same as the above rule - avoid lace up shoes or boots if possible. Wear slip on shoes if you can (weather depending). It will make your dressing room time a lot shorter.
6. Wear neutral coloured underwear.
Have you ever gone shopping for a pair of lighter coloured trousers, shorts or skirt and checked out your rear view only to see a black knicker line staring back at you? I have! The same goes for dark bras while you are trying to buy a lighter coloured top. It's just so distracting! This is something that many people don't think about. However it is a huge help, as it means no matter what you are trying on, your underwear won't interfere with your decision. Ladies, make sure that you are wearing a good fitting bra. No tops look good with droopies. Hoist 'em up!
7. If you are trying to match something, take it with you.
This may sound completely obvious, but I think it's worth stating anyway. If you are wanting to buy a pair of jeans to wear with heels or high boots, taken your heels with you so that you know the jeans will be long enough. Or if you are wanting to find a top to match a skirt (which you shouldn't have got, because you had nothing to wear it with!), take the skirt with you to match colours against. Don't just rely on your memory.
WHILE YOU ARE SHOPPING...
8. Beware of sale racks.
To many of you this may sound like blasphemy! I'm not saying never buy anything on sale, I'm just saying beware. Often things are put on sale by retailers either because they don't fit very well, haven't sold well, or were just a big mistake to begin with. Don't just buy it because it's a "bargain". Think it over properly.
9. Ask yourself the 6 key questions.
Will this item go with at least 3 other things I already have at home? Does it suit my body shape? Does the colour suit me? Does it suit my style personality? How long will this item be 'in'? Is it within my price budget?
10. If you are unsure, put the item on hold.
If in doubt about whether to buy the item or not, give yourself some time to think it over. Put it on hold, go and have a coffee or carry on with other shopping. If you can't stop thinking about it an hour or even a day later, then it's probably a good thing to buy. If however, you are still unsure, then just leave it. There's nothing worse that wasting money on something that you won't wear because "There's something just not right about it." (I call these Closet Orphans).
11. If you find something you absolutely love, buy 2!
I have often heard friends and clients say that they wished they had another of their favourite clothing item. If you find something that is the perfect fit, good price, and it's a great key clothing item, then often it can be a good idea to get another one in a different colour, or even in the same colour if you think you'll wear it often (like the perfect fitting pair of black trousers). Obviously I don't recommend this for everything, but for the absolute favourites, it's a great idea.
I hope these Outfit Shopping Tips are a help to you. Check out http://www.ouftitme.co.nz and click on Style Tips and Updates to get some more great tips.
Below is a list of my Shopping Tips... As I'm out shopping with clients quite often, I notice what works & what doesn't during shopping trips. So I thought I'd post these tips here for you all. Hopefully they will make shopping easier and more enjoyable for you!
BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING...
1. Make a list before you go shopping.
Take stock of your wardrobe and see what things you need to invest in to work with what you already have, and fill in the gaps in your wardrobe. Keep in mind upcoming events that you will be attending, and what you will need to wear to those. (What do you have that you can use for the events? You may not need to buy a whole new outfit, rather just accessories or a new top).
2. Have a budget in mind.
Try to stick to your budget as much as possible. I know that sales can be enticing, and "Oh my goodness, what a bargain! It would be a sin not to get it!" can flash through your mind many times over, but keep the list in mind, and keep the budget in mind too. This will save you from your guilty morning-after feelings.
3. Dress well.
You will always be treated better by shop assistants if you are dressed well while shopping. Call it shallow, but it's a fact of life - people respond differently to you depending on how you present yourself. You are much more likely to get the help and attention you need if you are dressed well.
4. Wear clothes that are easy to take on & off.
One of the excuses I hear from ladies who don't enjoy shopping is that they hate feeling all flustered and hot from getting undressed & dressed again so many times. Make it easier on yourself. Avoid wearing stockings if you are going shopping for a pair of shorts. Wear clothing that isn't hard to take on or off, you'll thank yourself for it.
5. Wear shoes that are easy to take on & off.
Same as the above rule - avoid lace up shoes or boots if possible. Wear slip on shoes if you can (weather depending). It will make your dressing room time a lot shorter.
6. Wear neutral coloured underwear.
Have you ever gone shopping for a pair of lighter coloured trousers, shorts or skirt and checked out your rear view only to see a black knicker line staring back at you? I have! The same goes for dark bras while you are trying to buy a lighter coloured top. It's just so distracting! This is something that many people don't think about. However it is a huge help, as it means no matter what you are trying on, your underwear won't interfere with your decision. Ladies, make sure that you are wearing a good fitting bra. No tops look good with droopies. Hoist 'em up!
7. If you are trying to match something, take it with you.
This may sound completely obvious, but I think it's worth stating anyway. If you are wanting to buy a pair of jeans to wear with heels or high boots, taken your heels with you so that you know the jeans will be long enough. Or if you are wanting to find a top to match a skirt (which you shouldn't have got, because you had nothing to wear it with!), take the skirt with you to match colours against. Don't just rely on your memory.
WHILE YOU ARE SHOPPING...
8. Beware of sale racks.
To many of you this may sound like blasphemy! I'm not saying never buy anything on sale, I'm just saying beware. Often things are put on sale by retailers either because they don't fit very well, haven't sold well, or were just a big mistake to begin with. Don't just buy it because it's a "bargain". Think it over properly.
9. Ask yourself the 6 key questions.
Will this item go with at least 3 other things I already have at home? Does it suit my body shape? Does the colour suit me? Does it suit my style personality? How long will this item be 'in'? Is it within my price budget?
10. If you are unsure, put the item on hold.
If in doubt about whether to buy the item or not, give yourself some time to think it over. Put it on hold, go and have a coffee or carry on with other shopping. If you can't stop thinking about it an hour or even a day later, then it's probably a good thing to buy. If however, you are still unsure, then just leave it. There's nothing worse that wasting money on something that you won't wear because "There's something just not right about it." (I call these Closet Orphans).
11. If you find something you absolutely love, buy 2!
I have often heard friends and clients say that they wished they had another of their favourite clothing item. If you find something that is the perfect fit, good price, and it's a great key clothing item, then often it can be a good idea to get another one in a different colour, or even in the same colour if you think you'll wear it often (like the perfect fitting pair of black trousers). Obviously I don't recommend this for everything, but for the absolute favourites, it's a great idea.
I hope these Outfit Shopping Tips are a help to you. Check out http://www.ouftitme.co.nz and click on Style Tips and Updates to get some more great tips.
I think shopping should be principles based. Once you start prescribing rules it takes the fun and therapeutic nature out of Shopping. The more you do it the more sensible you become with your budget and buying what you need & stuff that truly reflects you. Definitely agree with tip 11 though!
I think there are certain rules we should follow. I try to never go to sales looking for something specific for instance. Yes label X might have a tee you're dying to buy at their sale, but sales generally don't have what you want and if you go in with a closed mind you're going to miss the real gems.
heLen, I totally agree that Shopping has to be fun! Maybe that should have been point 12. :o) All of this has to be done in your style. It's mainly suggestions for those who aren't natural born shoppers! Hard to believe for those of us who love shopping, but some people find they get flustered, stressed and frustrated. These tips should help those people out a bit.
I once read, "You may get a great deal of satisfaction out of the sales, provided that you are armed with lots of courage and the will power to resist the temptation of some darling little outfit which in the end is terribly expensive when you realize that, while it may have cost you 'nothing', it is worth practically nothing to you."
Great tips Tania for those that see their wardrobe as an investment in their future.
Great tips Tania for those that see their wardrobe as an investment in their future.
Thank Outfit - I was just posting her article here for discussion! But agreed, they are things you don't often think about when shopping.
here is a tip- take an honest friend. one who is going to tell you the orange zebra print halter dress looks revolting and even if it is $15 you are never going to wear it. My biggest shopping mantra is to spend good money on classic pieces and buy seasonal things cheaper, because in a year you are gonna wonder why the hell you paid $400 for a pair of high waisted booty-shorts.
dont wear your school uniform shopping.. ever :)
and for a more useful tip hehe umm if you have bought a lot dont put your bags in the car i find that if you are carrying around bags shopping assistants will be nice to you as u presumably have alot of money to spend
- on the same note.. if you have splurged in a designer store then make sure everyone sees that bag.. it works.. plus it makes you feel good :)
and for a more useful tip hehe umm if you have bought a lot dont put your bags in the car i find that if you are carrying around bags shopping assistants will be nice to you as u presumably have alot of money to spend
- on the same note.. if you have splurged in a designer store then make sure everyone sees that bag.. it works.. plus it makes you feel good :)
I have to disagree with you ruru. Sometimes taking a friend is not a good idea...and I know we all like to think we can trust a good friend...but sometimes it is best to know valued designer shops where they thrive on their customers being satisfied in the first instance as opposed to taking a friend. As sometimes the 'friend' may like the item themselves or have alterior motives. I know I am going to be crucified for saying it but its true! And sometimes some friends find it difficult to just say, you look fat in that!
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