Occasionally I still get fooled into thinking that shopping is a leisure activity. Let’s face it: shopping is hard work! To improve the likelihood of success, try these tips:
Dressing for clothes shopping includes wearing a simple top which you can try things on over and slip-on shoes, if possible.
Choose your destination carefully. Before you even get to the store consider:
- Does this store stock a good selection in my size? This one gets me all the time. For example, the Eddie Bauer outlet doesn’t even offer their outlet label in XS. If less than half the offerings are in my size, do I even want to expend the energy to drive out there, get out of the car, pick through everything, and so on? No. If possible, concentrate on stores where your size is in the middle of the options, rather than at one end.
- When thrifting, look for stores that organize the racks by item and size. Hopefully, in your area, as in mine, this is becoming common practice. My favorite thrift store even puts things on the rack in color order.
- More thoughts on where to go: Choosing Where to Shop.
Is shopping therapy for you? Or does it make you need it? Share your best tips!
I love shopping most of the time. Of course, I mean shopping for myself with no kids following me around. 🙂 I love trying things on and being surprised when something fits unexpectedly or looks better than I thought it would. As for making it successful, I think it is important to feel good about how you look before you go out. I try to wear something nice (but also easy to take on and off) and that I feel good in, so that when I am putting it back on I don’t feel defeated. This is especially helpful when things aren’t working or you are on a tight budget and can only buy one or two items. I also think shoes are important. If I’m looking for a dress or skirt I make sure to take a pair of heels with me, so I can get the full effect. If I’m shopping for jeans or pants, I take along the shoes I am most likely to wear with them.
Shopping with kids is a whole other ball of wax though.
I love what you say about wearing something you feel good in. I wonder if that’s why you enjoy shopping. Good advice. 🙂
Urgghh! “Before I went shopping” I’ve been looking at websites to get an idea of which stores I’d go to to try on skinny jeans. They are *all* low-rise, and most are ultra-low-rise. Maybe this is a sign that I need to *stay away* from skinnies.
I’m frustrated, can you tell?