1. Know what you are looking for and make a list. As I mentioned in Notes From My Closet in May, taking stock of what you already own and recognizing the "holes" in your closet, will help set the path for making conscious purchases. Look for repeat buying patterns in your wardrobe and learn how to say no to that 5th pair of brown boots. I had to put the kybosh to my black shoe addiction the minute I entered Fashion Rehab!
2. Be brand aware. Everybody has different body types and budgets, but when you analyze your wardrobe take note of those labels that work for you, it will make shopping a more pleasurable experience. Not that you shouldn't branch out and try new things, but having favorites makes for an increased chance of purchase satisfaction. For myself I know that H&M tops fit well (I have a crazy long torso!), Gap cardigans are my go-to, Joe's Jeans hug my booty and have a higher rise that suits my figure, and when the price is right, DVF dresses are my absolute favorite. What brands or designers do you swear by?
Are you a print girl or a nudie? Tribal backless mini dress by Steven Alan at net-a-porter.com, $175, and nude Stella McCartney fluid dress at theoutnet.com, $248.75 (it is 75% off!!!!)
3. Think about the trends of the season and which ones suit your lifestyle and which one are a big "pass"... Nudes are so hot right now and easily compliment any wardrobe, so for me I am looking to amp up my neutral palette. This, however, may not be the case for you. Nudes could be drab against your skin tone but instead you are hot for animal and Ikat prints. Keep that in mind while shopping so you can keep focused on the prize and not steer off the beaten path.
4. Are you shopping in the right season? (Plum Sykes wrote a great article called "Seasons of Our Discontent" for the May 2010 issue of Vogue about this exact topic!) Often by the time we are ready to buy for the current season the fashion industry has already moved on to the next one. Do you know when the best time is to buy fall/winter coats? It's in August! If you wait until October you may just find yourself shivering on the street because everything is sold out. Which brings me to my next topic...
5. Know your sale times. SheFinds.com has a great daily calendar featuring all of the current online sales (both sample and regular). Some stores, such as the Gap and Club Monaco, have sales all of the time. They rotate their merchandise quickly, and more often than not, about 6-8 weeks after an item has arrived, it will be reduced. Other stores follow the "semi-annual" sale methodology. This is true for some bigger department stores like Nordstrom and Victoria's Secret (both are having huge sales right now). Look for these sales at the start of the New Year and again in early summer. Personally, I like to plan my bigger purchases around these events, especially when I have had great experiences in the past with a particular brand. I bought a great pair of Via Spiga knee-high boots at Nordstrom a few years back during one of the sales and I still LOVE them!
So now that you armed with all this info, grab a latte/bottle of water/protein bar and your best friend and head out the door! Remember, never buy from place that doesn't have a good return policy and it you are hesitant about an item, chances are you don't need it.
Love, A
P.S. Have you read the Toronto Star today? We are featured in the Living section, check us out here!
3 comments:
this is great tips, i'm recognizing my buying pattern as well and trying hard not to purchase those lovely dresses :S
Oh I know! I am so in love with the Stella McCartney dress, it is crazy. How am I passing it up? Besides the fact that I don't have an extra $250 lying around, I also thought about where I would wear it (party, date night etc. ) and then realized I have many other dresses that could work and that I don't "need" a new one. It still hurts though!...Love, A
That Stella McCarthney dress is to DIE for! These are really great tips. Your blog has helped me approach shopping in a more methodical and organized fashion--looking for holes in my wardrobe-- rather than buying just because.
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