Ladies, looking good is important. Whether you’re working or at school, you want to your clothes to suit your personality, your body type and, of course, your bank balance. While this might seem simple enough, I’m sure you’ll agree that mistakes are not unusual, and often fashion faux pas are the result of bad shopping. I’m a retail junkie, and I’m sure most of you can relate, but every now and then I get a glimpse of why some of us hate to shop. Without a clear idea of what you’re looking for in mind, buying clothes can be totally overwhelming. Here’s a list to guide retail rookies through the shopping experience …
Before you head out for a major shop, take a few hours to rid your wardrobe of everything you don’t need anymore. I know it can be hard parting with some of the stuff, but if you haven’t worn it in a year and it’s not couture or a classic then, trust me ladies, it needs to go out. Bag up all the cast offs and take them to a charity. That way you’re helping yourself and others all at the same the same time!
While there may be certain staples that we need in duplicate, ladies please remember that variety is the spice of life! If you already own five pinstriped shirts, why not consider a fresh new print this time round?
Experts suggest you keep a list pinned in your closet and every time you get dressed and find yourself wishing for a certain item, you write it down. The list then comes with you the next time you go shopping as a record of everything you need to perfect your existing outfits!
Particularly now, after the economic crisis, it’s not smart to overreach your means. Your shopping habits need to match your bank balance and for most of us this means a mixture of reasonable basics and with a few expensive feature pieces. Remember ladies, looking great is important but it’s not about bankruptcy.
Never go shopping for half an hour in your lunch break. You’ll only end up under pressure and buying random things you don’t need. Successful shopping usually takes a while so clear yourself a window when you can relax and indulge in a little retail therapy.
If you have a serious shop to do it really is best to go by yourself. This way you’re free to get exactly what you want, and the tastes of other people can’t interfere. Of course shopping with a girlfriend can be a blast, but sometimes comments and compliments will pressure you to buy things you don’t really want.
If you’re working on a budget, and let’s face it we always should be, then buying clothes you can mix and match is a real winner. Skirts and tops, for example, can be put together in hundreds of fun new combinations to give the impression of totally different outfit everyday.
Girls, don’t be tempted to buy the first thing you see. Have patience and do a sweep of the mall to begin with. That way you’ll know exactly what’s available and how much everything costs, and from there it’ll be easy to make an informed decision about what you want. Mature and responsible shopping or what?!
Those are my suggestions to make shopping less of a chore and more of a breeze. Got any fab shopping tips, ladies? I’d love to hear your retail secrets …
Top Photo Credit: AXEHD