How to Shop Smarter for Fashion
Shopping Tips for Women's Fashion & Buying Clothes for Your Shape
Learning to shop smarter means fewer fashion mistakes, saving money and avoiding that bulging closet full of things that you have never really worn.
If you find yourself going for the same safe styles and colors when out shopping, or wasting money on “bargain” impromptu purchases that sit in your closet because you have nothing for them to go with, then it is definately time to learn how to shop smart.
Remember Jacqui Ripley’s mantra from The Makeover Book (Piatkus 2004), when out shopping or trying clothes on in the fitting room, “Anything that makes you feel frumpy, dumpy and lumpy does nothing for your sense of self.”
Shopping smarter means asking yourself a few key questions regarding what suits you and planning what to buy in advance.
Simple Steps to Shopping Smart & Buying Clothes for Your Shape
Plan Ahead Before You Shop
- Think about the items you already have in your closet and what you need to update them or complement them. “Plan ahead before you shop to avoid style disasters”, says Ripley.
Get to Know Your Body's Assets
- Decide which parts of your body are considered assets and play on those by buying cuts and colors which flatter or accentuate the bust, waist, hips or legs, which ever is your most appealing feature. If you are not sure then ask yourself which bits of your body do people normally compliment you on?
Apply Basic Fashion Rules
- Arm yourself with a few golden fashion rules. If you are older don’t go for outfits that show off too much flesh or are too fussy. V-necks always make a neck and large bust look slimmer and a pair of stiletto shoes can transform a boring outfit into a hot one.
Be Adventurous, Try New Styles
- Think “out of the closet.” Go for some styles, colors and patterns which you would not normally wear – try them on you may be surprised. Many women avoid wearing dresses, yet they are easy to wear and you can create a great look in seconds, if you have chosen the right dress for your body shape. However, don't be a slave to fashion trends, buy what suits you.
Remember to Color Match and Team With Existing Outfits
- Bear in mind what clothes you already have in your closet. Think about color matching and creating great outfits. Will it work with the rest of your wardrobe?
Shop Actively Not Passively
- Do not have a passive attitude to shopping – avoid aimlessly wandering around the shops buying up bits and pieces.
Avoid Unnecessary Bargains
- Do not get distracted into buying clothes just because they are in the sale. Beware of this “bargain” tendency. Ask yourself, would I still want to buy this if it wasn’t reduced?
Avoid Those "Fat" Days
- Don’t shop on fat days – days when you are feeling premenstrual. These are the days when you feel bloated and unattractive. You’ll end up feeling downhearted or making the wrong choice of outfit, wanting to hide your body rather than draw attention to it.
Avoid Shopping on Weekends
- Don’t shop during busy times when you are under pressure to get of a fitting room or have a lengthy wait. If you have to shop at weekends then try to get there early, before the crowds.
Dress to Undress
- If you plan a day of serious shopping then go armed for battle by putting on an outfit which is easy to take off, recommends Ripley. Nothing is worse then fighting with tight fitting fiddly clothing, making you all hot and bothered. This also applied to shoes and coats.
Cash Not Credit
- Use less of the credit and more of the cash. If you can’t afford it, then is it worth getting into debt for? Decide on the cost per wear; will you get value for money? If it is a more expensive piece than you can normally afford, does it make you feel like a million dollars? If you think it is going to spend more time in your wardrobe than out of it, it may be time to think again.
Use a Personal Shopper
- Many deparment and high-street stores offer free personal shopping services. This may be just what you need to get you right on track. Alternatively take a friend whose honest opinion you value and whom you can rely on to give sound style advice.
Dress for Your Years
- Learn to dress for your years.In your twenties you can wear pretty much anything; in your thirties you can still pick and choose what works best for you. By the time you reach your forties and fifties you can still follow fashion trends but need to learn how to avoid looking too young or frumpy. It’s time to go for well cut, less fussy pieces and pep up classics with fashionable accessories. There is nothing wrong with having a few quirky, on-trend mini dresses and so on, but the secret is to “look expensive and not cheap – show off flesh or curves but not both.” advises Ripley.
The copyright of the article How to Shop Smarter for Fashion in Women’s Fashion is owned by Gill Hart. Permission to republish How to Shop Smarter for Fashion must be granted by the author in writing.
