Need Some Shopping Tip's ?

Whether you love it or detest it ladies, it's time to go shopping for your new summer wardrobe. Yay! To help keep you in-check, here are a list of my ‘‘Yes’s’’ and “Nos” when you are ready to shop until you drop !!!!!! I’m kidding, you don’t need to be as excessive as that. Relax, shopping should be stress-free and dare I say it.......loads of FUN !

Yes

Make a plan and stick to it.

Decide beforehand where you want to go and what exactly it is you need. I understand it’s easy to get distracted as you wonder around a department store or boutique; lets face it, there is loads of temptations. But, as the day goes on and you just stroll around, it’s easy to get tired and very fed up and as a result you end up throwing your head in the air and walking straight to the parking metre to escape the rush hour traffic home! M2 traffic sucks....Magherafelt traffic isn’t too bad now since the by-pass has been constructed. Mission abandoned! Don’t get side-tracked.....stick to the plan.

Always try to buy in shops that offer refunds.

I always love to try on new clothes at home and match the item up with existing items in my wardrobe. That way I can make up loads of new outfits just by the addition of 1 new item......or 10, lol. I am a Personal Shopper after all, I’m entitled, lol. Refunds are essential as credit notes have a habit of hiding at the back of my underwear drawer. Alternatively, if the store offers a credit note, ask them to write on it (and put their initials) an extended date if possible. Surely it’s alright to ask! Worst thing they can say is ‘No’.

Buy the best quality you can afford at that time.

If you have fallen in love with an ‘on-trend’ item, please don’t invest too much money in this item as trends tend to pass quickly. However, if you are buying a new pair of trousers, coat, blazer...the classics, the I suggest you spend a little more as you will be building your capsule wardrobe around these pieces. They will be coming out year after year if you look after them.

When you find a shop with excellent sizing that suits you, stick with it.

Also, if their range of clothing is well-designed and fits your bodyshape well, stick to what you know works. Also, get to know the staff. You will soon build up a friendship with them and they will happily share with you new products which had just arrived in-store.

When it comes to your accessories, take my advice and choose accessories with a little ‘Va Va Voom’.

Its amazing how a statement necklace can add a pop of colour and a touch of class to a reasonably cheap dress. Also, same can be said with shoes and handbags and of course belts. I once purchased a belt from Logans in Cloughmills for £156. It was Italian and I have had this belt since 2008. I wear it to show off my waist when wearing pencil skirts, shift dresses and even over my wool coat. I can happily say that this purchase paid for itself within the first year of owning it as it re-vamped and lifted items i had in my wardrobe that otherwise would have looked a little sad.

You really don't have to go out in search of a belt this price; a statement necklace can just be as effective. With regards to an everyday handbag, be realistic about the size. I find the larger my bag, the more i tend to put into it....(remember about posture).

As I said at the beginning, shopping should be fun.

When touring around a boutique or store, be very open-minded about items. Don’t just rule it out because you don’t have anything remotely like it in your wardrobe. Feel free to experiment with new patterns and colours, even length. Do a little dance in the fitting room.....if the item looks good and makes you feel like you want to sing......that a sign to buy it! Be bold, be brave, be more.....be UNIQUE !

No

Dont be pressurised.

Ok, so this one might ruffle a few feathers, but I just speak from my heart! If you try a new item on in a store/boutique and the sales assistant tells you it is ‘just fabulous darling’ yet you are not 100% sure, take the time to think about it. Under no circumstance be bullied into buying that day. I myself have been on the receiving end of people like this. Kindly ask them if it is ok to either take a photograph to show it to your better half/friend/sister/mum etc or alternatively tell them that you will return with a second opinion of someone that knows you and your lifestyle. After all, you want your clothes to express who you are – who you REALLY are.

It’s not a good idea to go shopping if you can’t afford it.

That might sound very obvious to some but let’s face it, we have all found that one item that we just ‘had to’ buy....we couldn’t possibly leave to go home without it......but there was only one in my size, the sales assistant told me someone was coming back to buy it, lol. Blah, blah, blah. If you feel you really need that item, put it on your credit card and make sure to pay the credit card in full when the statement comes in! It could turn into a very expensive item if you just pay the minimum payment every month.

The other option is to raid a sisters/friends closet if you have an event and are completely broke. Just be considerate to that persons clothing. Just because you didn’t have to pay for it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat it like its your own. I could tell a hundred horror stories of occasions when I have lend clothes to people and believe me, they did not come back in the condition I gave it to them; nor did i even get an apology. Anyhow, forgiveness is a wonderful thing.

Have you already got shoes to match?

When it comes to buying skirts, dresses and trousers, try to think in your head what shoes or sandals you have at home that will match your new purchase. If you don’t have any that match and don’t buy a pair that day, you know rightly that the new item will hang in your wardrobe with the labels still on, lol.

Stay away from shops where you know their fit is really bad for you.

Save yourself from jumping into serious shopping depression mode by going into a store where you know their clothes do not suit or even fit your bodyshape. Its a waste of time. Stay clear.

Dress happy and comfortable.

This is sooooooo obvious but when you go shopping, make sure to dress in comfy clothes. Footwear is key. I’m currently in love with wedge trainers; give me another couple of weeks and the toes will be out too as long as this sunshine stays. As for tops, I love anything cotton as i don’t sweat. Trying on clothes is hard work and sometimes I feel I am going through the early menopause due to the temperature in some fitting rooms. Layer up is best so easy to peel off if the temperature rises.

Time of month.

Speaking of menopause, I advise my clients not to arrange our Personal Shopping days when they have their period. Who wants to try on new clothes when your body temperature is increased, your patience is shorter than normal and your belly resembles that of a 4 month pregnant lady. If you wake up in fowl form, stay clear of shops as nothing will please you unless it’s a Morellies ice-cream or Thorntons chocolate shop, lol

Anyhow, that’s enough from me......I hope you found this helpful, entertaining and you take the above on-board when shopping.

Feel free to share on your wall if you think your female friends would enjoy reading this blog.

Much Love,

Deirdre xx

#wardrobe #fashion #shopping