Tips on How to be a Smart Shopper
Shop Smarter by Stretching your Dollars & Creating Your Own Style
Many women know how to buy but do not know how to shop, or at least shop smart! The following tips will help you save money and help to create your own style.
How many times have you made a shopping mistake when buying women’s fashion? The evidence of which is probably sitting untouched in your wardrobe right now, making you feel guilty at the very thought!
Just because you think something looks fabulous on the rack, “does not mean that you should snatch it up and dash to the checkout.” Says SHOP Til You Drop, April 2008, in their article “How to be a fabulous shopper.”
Being a smart shopper is about understanding what will look best on you, taking into account items you already have in your wardrobe (for matching purposes) and mixing the cheap with the expensive. It means having an eye before you buy, so you have an idea of what you are looking for, having done some research on brands and styles. Impulse buys can be dangerous as you may regret it the next day.
A bargain is only a bargain if you are able to wear what you have bought, not if it is lying dormant at the back of your closet. Many women use shopping as a form of retail therapy, and whilst this may work in moderation, if you arrive home feeling less than happy about your purchases, or have spend far beyond your budget, then this only serves to make you feel worse.
10 Tips For Shopping Smart
- If you are in need of some retail therapy, don’t shop-til you-drop to try and make yourself happy, if it means breaking the bank. An unworn heap of clothes in your closet and an ever increasing overdraft is not going to make up for a broken heart. Be selective in what you buy and buy only those pieces which give you confidence, are within your budget, and make you look great.
- It is Murphy ’s Law that you often find things when you are not looking for them, so shop out of your comfort zone and keep your eyes open everywhere, all the time. Pop into some interesting stores that you would normally give a miss to, or try browsing in one of the many markets or thrift stores for vintage pieces. Avoid getting stuck in a style rut by being adventurous in being open-minded about what might suit you.
- Create a wardrobe that has a number of timeless, classic pieces as well as some outfits of disposable fashion. Spend more on fashion accessories to update your look.
- Don’t underestimate the power of fashion accessories. Your sunglasses, heels, handbag and jewelry say more about you than you think. Celebrity stylists, like Rachel Zoe, think accessories first, clothes second. With a few pairs of look-a-me shoes you can change the appearance of your outfit overnight.
- When it comes to the classics, buy less, but buy better. You’ll notice the difference in your confidence and ultimately in your purse. Quality items have a longevity than cheap shoes, bags, and clothing don't usually have.
- Trust your eye more than brands and price tags. According to SHOP, “A good shopper shops in every price bracket.” From budget brands to high-end designer, from inside your local area and out. Coordinating cheap items with expensive pieces is something personal stylists learn to do well. If you can’t afford head-to-toe designer then mix and match high-end labels with budget store buys. A great scarf can make a chain store trench coat look like a million dollars. If you go for expensive accessories like a great bag or designer shoes, people are likely to assume that the rest of your outfit is of the same quality.
- Coming home empty handed is not a sign of failure; it is a sign of self-restraint! If you have spent your time just browsing and getting an overview of what is available, then you have picked up ideas and it is time well spent.
- Whatever you buy should “feel right.” If it doesn’t make you feel comfortable and confident then steer clear.
- Time your shopping sprees to coincide with major sales of the big brands. This is the time to stock up on the wardrobe basics such as designer T-Shirts, cashmere sweaters, classic white shirts and jeans.
- Don’t be a slave to fads. It’s not worth overstepping your budget or maxing out your credit cards for the season’s oversized ruffles, volumnous mini dresses or red opaque tights!
