25 Ways to Shop Smarter

25 Ways to SHOP Smarter

“Create clarity in your closet and bring focus to your purchases”

1. Make a Plan: Schedule a shopping appointment. Make it a priority and you’ll shop smartly and more efficiently.
2. Take Inventory: In order to see what you are working with, you need to take inventory and decide what you are going to do with each item.
3. The Essential 9: To know what you need, you’ve got to know what the basics are. This is your foundation. Your look is built upon the Essential 9.
4. Make a List: Make a list of what has survived your recent closet purge. It will also list “What you need”.
5. One Track Mind: Keep an open mind on sizes. No designer or label cuts the same. Don’t look at the size, just try it on!
6. Take your clothes for a test drive: Sit, bend, twist and reach-up.
7. Be in the Mood: How you feel when shopping is key. Make sure your hair and make-up is done.
8. Don’t Trust the Hanger: Not all clothing has hanger appeal. Just try it on.
9. Trust the Tailor: Any item will look infinitely more luxurious if it fits you just right.
10. Shoes! Shoes! Shoes! If there is one thing you could spend your wardrobe dollars on that would be shoes. Shoes can dress an outfit up or make it seem casual. You’re making a long-term investment, so be prepared to spend a little cash. *Always buy the correct size.
11. Pampering Yourself: Some days you wake up with an irresistible desire to go shopping. It meets our needs to feel fresh and glamorous, in an instant, but don’t go overboard. Stay on track. Balance, moderation, rationality.
12. Staying on Track: Find ways to control your spending and to channel it in the right direction. Cut out what isn’t absolutely necessary and find inexpensive alternatives.
13. Invest in the Classics: What exactly are the classics you may be asking yourself…Trench Coat, Classic white blouse, Trousers, Pencil Skirts, Blazer, LBD, Statement accessories, denim, cardigans and lingerie.
14. Making sure it Fits: We all wear underwear, but you must remember two important rules: 1. Make sure it fits 2. Own at least a few pieces of sexy lingerie.
15. Stop and smell the flowers: Shopping is great, but you need some soulful exercise as well. Gardening, order takeout and rent a film, pilates, theatre.
16. How to Shop Trends: Trends change all the time, so remember you don’t want to spend a fortune on them.
17. Staying Ahead: As you may have noticed there are some trends that are always in. Let’s say for spring it’s a pretty good guess that safari will be a major trend. Make sure you have at least a safari jacket and/or tan pencil skirt.
18. Spotting Quality: 1. Beads – Fabric should be strong enough to support any embellishment. 2. Buttons – gently tug on each to make sure they’re all well-anchored. 3. Lining – Is crucial. The key is one that feels good on your skin and helps the garment hang correctly. Pattern – They should line up correctly, no matter the pattern. Seams – they should be turned under and beautifully finished to hide raw edges. Zipper – Does it glide easily? Snags are a red alert.
19. Fabrics do Matter: Try to avoid 100% synthetics as they tend to pill. Pills are beyond sloppy-looking. 100% cotton and wool are wonderful because they look great; they last a long time and environmentally friendly. If fabric is cheap synthetic, it probably won’t wear well.
20. Be Creative: The only limit to your looks is your creativity. Use your grandmother’s silk scarf as a head piece, belt, around your neck (add a brooch), short and neat, ascot style the looks are endless.
21. While on your Travels: Vacation is the perfect time to pick up anything turquoise or coral, ethnic inspired jewellery, print scarves. It adds an exotic flair to your basic ensemble. Look for places that are not aimed at tourists and you will come home with inexpensive and gorgeous accessories.
22. SPANX: It’s the perfect and essential undergarment for women. It smoothes tummy control, you will look slimmer in clothing, no bulge.
23. SALE: It’s the perfect time to pick up those items that you had your eye on but with the fraction of the cost. Remember SALE TIME is not the time to build your wardrobe.
24. Know When to Save and when to Splurge: Splurge – bras, cashmere, Essential 9, shoes, bags. Save – t shirts, trendy pieces, fun accessories.
25. Personal Shoppers: They are not just for the rich and famous. Anyone can indulge, at the any price point. We are here to help you shop smarter.