Style : 5 Steps To Clothes Shopping Like A Pro
Written by Nikki Parkinson
April 10, 2012
Be Pretty
15 Comments
A week or so ago I was in Melbourne. For a blogging conference.
And to celebrate all the hard work and effort that I had put in at said conference (*insert* eye roll from husband here), I rewarded myself with a wee spot of shopping in the city. Being that I was in Melbourne it seemed only logical, no? Especially when said shopping expedition was sandwiched between some ridiculously good coffee and dumplings.
Now, if you actually live in Melbourne or any of Australia’s other State capitals, I suspect you do not get anywhere near as excited as I do with the thought of SO many shops within browsing distance. In fact, you are probably thinking I’m a little bit loopy wanting to waste a perfect autumn day trying on clothes.
But you see, when you do not have such shopping delights on tap, having uninterrupted shopping time is nothing short of bliss. For me anyway.
... these bags are not all mine ... truly
I know, not all people like to shop. At. All. Even if they live in a capital city. And even if they have the time.
I am not one of them. I congratulate myself on an almost daily basis that I’ve managed to forge a career out of shopping. And that it’s my job to be on top of what’s actually in the shops.
But even before I pulled this career win out of the bag of a lifetime love of a good shopping sesh, I’d always shown traits of applying a bit of methodology to my shopping expeditions.
On this particular day in Melbourne, I was shopping with two other bloggers, Mrs Woog and Sarah from A Beach Cottage. Mrs Woog applies much of the same methodology as I do to the task at hand. And it wasn’t until Sarah commented as much about this that I thought, hang on a minute, maybe others could benefit from my 5 step Shop Like A Pro Plan.
This is not a post that you will want your partner to see. Keep this information very much tucked under your hat (maybe a nice new hat bought on your next shopping expedition). Just saying.
Step 1: the mental planning
Whether your next mission is tomorrow or next month, putting in a bit of mental planning towards the operation will pay off for you faster than you can say, credit card, what credit card? Think about what you actually want. I’m particularly skilled at turning those wants into needs. For example, I need a leopard print scarf. Why? Because too much leopard print is never enough.
Step 2: the warm-up
Shopping requires a certain level of stamina. Working on arm and core strength prior will help you carry the growing number bags you will find yourself saddled with within a short period of time. Alternatively, take someone with you who is willing to put up with this onerous task without complaint.
Step 3: the strategy
All good missions require a strategy to be successful. There is no time for aimless wandering. You have a job to do. Map out which shops you must visit in the allocated time and only stray from the strategy should you stumble across something strayable … like a Buy Two, Get One Free deal while walking between stores.
Step 4: the store browse
Do not waste time in a store. Make like you’re on a reconnaissance mission by first doing an overall sweep of your surrounds, taking in the current merchandising, location of any sale racks and likelihood of receiving fast service. Then, and only then, make a beeline for any racks of interest, flicking through with the same dedication applied to that initial reccie. When you have more than one item to take to the change room, do it. Don’t umm and ahh and don’t pass go and head straight to the checkout. The try on is a must.
Step 5: the exit plan
Shopping is a sport. It can induce a level of adrenalin often reserved for elite athletes (I actually don’t know this to be fact as I’m not an elite athlete. Actually not an athlete at all). I do know, though, that with every high, there is the inevitable low. Aim to exit before the slump sets in. This will ensure that the post-shopping buzz is suitably sustained … at least until the credit card statement is received.
work those arm muscles ...
Do you love shopping for clothes? Are you good at it? Is you style one of strategy or a bit hit and miss?
