Step 1: Plan
- Determine what you can spend. Set aside enough money to get what you need without spending more than you can afford. Remember that winter clothing often costs more than spring clothing, so plan accordingly.
- Feel good about yourself. If you’re having a bad day, don’t shop impulsively to lift your mood. It’s a momentary high, but the steep bills you can incur will be killjoys.
- Dress comfortably. Wear lightweight clothes that are easy to get into and out of, as well as simple panties and a smooth bra to avoid distracting lines and creases when trying on tighter-fitting pieces. If what you’re shopping for requires a specific undergarment—say, a strapless bra or a shaper—bring it along.
- Avoid the crowds. Try early in the week or in the morning. Saturdays are when stores see their biggest crowds, so if you must go on a weekend, either get there when shops open or later in the evening.
- Understand the store’s perks. Levels of service differ greatly by store. Department stores and big national chains offer a huge selection, loads of inventory, personal shopping services, longer return policies and tailoring. Discount stores usually have liberal return policies and a wide selection, but because they keep prices down, there is little help and the sales floor is often cluttered.
- Know the return policy. Two weeks is standard for most stores. Large department stores usually allow more time (up to 30 days), as do national chains and discount outlets. Many smaller boutiques, however, offer only store credit. The policy is usually posted in the shop or printed on the receipt, but you should always ask before you pay. As their name implies, final-sale items can’t be returned.
Step 2: Focus
- Shop alone. It’s the best way to concentrate on what you’re looking for, and it’s time-efficient. If you love shopping with friends but want to avoid hours of wandering aimlessly from store to store, let them know you’re looking for something specific. Another opinion can be helpful, but in the end, trust your own judgment. You have to wear what you are buying.
- Know what works for you. You know the shapes and colors that flatter you best, so zero in on them. Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experiment. Just keep in mind what you already know about cuts, colors, fabrics and styles that will enhance your figure and coloring.
- Use a three-way mirror. When trying on clothes, a three-way mirror will help ensure a perfect and comfortable fit, as well as allow you to better judge the quality of the clothing.
- Buy for the body you’ve got. Even if you’re planning to lose a little weight, buying clothes that are too tight will only make you appear heavier. You can always have a piece taken in later. Remember, the idea is to look good now, and you will—even with that extra five pounds—if your clothes fit your body properly.
- Buy for your everyday reality. Your dream life might be dresses and 3-inch heels, but maybe you spend more time in pants and flats. A large part of being chic is being comfortable and dressing for your lifestyle. No matter how much you love them, clothes that don’t fit your everyday criteria will collect dust.
- Don’t compromise. As a day of shopping wears on, it gets more and more tempting to just buy something—anything—to avoid feeling as if you’ve wasted your time. Don’t give in. Buying out of desperation usually leads to a return.
Step 3: Invest
- Buy classics and build on them. Spend first on basic items in solid colors, as they are the most versatile and rarely go out of style. You should have staples that you can wear a few times a week. Paired with accessories and standout items, they are the nuts and bolts that hold your wardrobe together.
- Buy complete outfits. If you’re trying on a jacket that has matching pants and a skirt and you can afford it, buy all three. Sometimes the jacket or skirt you think will be so easy to pair with other pieces isn’t, so if you’re shopping for something to go with an item you’ve already got at home, bring a swatch or the entire garment so that you can make sure it’s a good match.
- Buy in multiples. The pants that fit your derriere just so, the soft T-shirt that perfectly outlines your torso, a dress that makes you look super-slim—if the price is right, these items deserve to be bought in more than one color. Be sure, though, that they are basic enough; you will quickly tire of two print dresses in the same floral, even if they are different colors.
- Buy the best quality you can afford. Invest in pieces that you will wear time and again—the neutral suit, the black pants, the cashmere sweater set, the sheath dress. They will fit better, be made of finer materials, and ultimately elevate everything else you pair with them. Because higher quality also translates into durability and versatility, you’ll need fewer pieces, which will save you money in the long run.
- Beware the siren call of the sale rack. Just because something has been marked down doesn’t mean you should buy it. Does it fit well and flatter you? Does it work with the other pieces in your closet? It’s only a bargain if it’s something you will actually wear regularly and look great doing so.
