by nicoLe tata
Smart Shopping
heaLth beaut y st yLe
MIRROR MIRROR MIRROR on the wall...
is shopping an art or a science? Pleasure or pain? Your favourite pastime or just hard work? The vast majority of women I know have a complicated relationship with shopping, and especially when it comes to buying clothes. This contrasts sharply with the men in my life who, on the whole, try their best to avoid anything that smacks of a ‘retail experience’. For us girls, going shopping has become so much more than just buying stuff. It’s a glimpse into the glamorous world of youth and beauty, of fashion and style, where self-confidence is tied up with how we look, what we wear, how we present. Of course, the fashion industry is only too keen to encourage us to spend some ‘me time’ indulging in ‘retail therapy’ because ‘we’re worth it’. While this may work for Paris Hilton et al, those of us with more down-to-earth lifestyles and budgets can’t afford to get carried away. So, how do you shop smart?
Make a plan. Start with a wardrobe review to see what you already have and take inspiration from the world of fashion etc, then make a list of items to buy – some will be ‘need to have’ and some ‘nice to have’. Armed with your list of gorgeous things, you’ll be able to shop with focus, not aimlessly wandering around the mall hoping for something to catch your eye, wasting time and money in the process.
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SuSSex Living May 2014
do your research.
The internet can be a wonderful place, so use it to check for garments, outlets, locations, price comparisons – all before you hit the shops. Obviously, you can buy online too, though I personally prefer to touch, feel and try on every piece before I’m ready to commit to a purchase.
set a budget. Much, much easier said than done but do try – it’s the best antidote to expensive impulse buys you could easily regret later. Have a ballpark figure for each item and stick to it. Better still, leave your credit cards at home and only take cash. Not only does it make overspending impossible, it helps you to connect with the money you’re paying out, making the transaction much more meaningful.
Fatigue and stress do not for good shopping decisions make!
set a timeframe. Don’t shop all day and don’t shop til you drop. Fatigue and stress, especially in airless shopping malls, do not for good shopping decisions make!
Beware The sales. Why is a garment suddenly more covetable just because it’s cheaper? Don’t be fooled by the psychology and don’t be seduced by cut-price bargains. Take refuge in your shopping list: if an item is not on the list, step away.
Know your own mind.
Feel positive. It’s never a
I always shop alone, not because I don’t have anyone to take with me but because I prefer not to be swayed by someone else’s opinion, however well meant. Believe me, many wardrobe mistakes have been made that way. That said, a trusted shopping buddy may work wonders for you.
good idea to go shopping when you’re not quite yourself. Feeling hungry, bored, tired, upset… these are all emotional states that can skew your view of what looks good or what you actually need. Get back onto an even keel, then go and enjoy a positive retail experience with the benefit of a clear head www.sussexliving.com