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| The Best Shopping Tips for You |
| By Information & Resources |
Published
02/7/2005
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Clothing
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Unrated
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The Best Shopping Tips for You
Before Shopping - Look good and feel good so the clothing looks good on you.
- To make the most of your shopping experience, have a plan!
- Before you leave your home, grab any merchandise returns, store credits, and gift certificates.
- Wear easy on / easy off clothing and shoes; if you’re buying a gown, bring your own heels – don’t approximate; if you need a strapless bra or pantyhose, bring them along.
- On average, people spend between 5-10% of their net income on clothing. Therefore, make decisions that will stand the test of time. Classic, well-made clothing stands the test of time.
- Assess your lifestyle and buy for that lifestyle. If you’ve changed, so should the style of clothing that you buy. If you’re still wearing the same clothing you did a decade ago, then you are probably missing something.
- Remember, fashion is fleeting, but style is forever.
- Make a list of your favorite colors, fabrics and styles before you begin to shop.
- There are exceptions, but comfort is just as important as fashion.
While Shopping - Find a salesperson that you like, tell them that you’re going to buy, but that you need service and attention.
- Spend 15-20 minutes on the sales floor to round up all possible winners – even if that means that you collect 15-20 pieces – before heading to the dressing room. Ask the salesperson to hand you in 5 garments at a time. This will reduce the amount of return trips to the sales floor and increase the percentage of winners.
- Look at the big picture when you shop for clothing; how to wear, care for, clean and store a garment for its entire life.
- Buy clothing that fits your current body.
- Buy clothing that looks great in the store, looks great at home 72 hours later, and stop buying "maybes."
- If you can’t resist a "passionate purchase," use the 48 hour rule. If you pass up the item and you still want it 48 hours later, it’s probably a good investment.
- Have a quality standard for all clothing–from bargain basement to designer boutique–and make sure that the clothing meets this standard.
- Read all care labels and content labels before you buy.
- When you shop, ask yourself, "Is this fabric well-suited for me and for what I do? Will it wear well? Can this fabric be washed at home or will it need professional drycleaning?"
- A bargain is only a bargain when quality is part of the package.
- Before you reach the cash register, hang the garment, spin it around, and spend two minutes to do the 6-Point Quality Check™; zippers, hooks, hems, seams, shoulder pads, and buttons.
- Always ask for extra buttons because 3 months later it will be too late to get more!
- Always ask the salesperson for a quality hanger (wide plastic or wood) for your new purchase and be sure to keep your garments on quality hangers whenever possible.
- If you find something that you like and you can afford to buy more than one, in more than one color, do it!
- Always beware of piping and trims made from leather, suede, vinyl.
- Check the care label and think about eventual washing and drycleaning.
- If you want to keep your white clothing white, make sure that these garments can be washed and drycleaned.
- When buying outerwear and clothing with buckles, hooks, clasps and zippers, be sure to closely check the quality of these accoutrements.
Shopping for Others When shopping for a partner, remember these hints: - Peek in their closets and take note of sizes, colors and style preferences
- If your partner is into collectibles, then add to that collection.
- Accessories can make a great gift; scarves, belts, jewelry, socks and gloves. Buy something frivolous that your partner wouldn’t buy for themselves.
- It’s ok to simple ask what your partner wants. Window shop and look at catalogues together. Don’t be shy about this, it just means that you care!
After Purchasing - Every time you buy a new garment, discard or donate an old one.
- Reduce damage on silk, satin and velvet skirts and pants by only using "smooth" clip hangers.
- Resist using hangers with ridges or "teeth" that can crush or mar the surface of the fabric.
Shopping at Holiday Time - During holidays, the best time to shop is early in the mornings, especially on the weekends. The largest crowds are after lunch and after dinner.
- For Christmas, try to be done with the majority of your shopping by December 5th.
Personal Shoppers
Consider using a Personal Shopper at Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and other fine stores. In most cases, the service is free and the advice and time savings is unparalleled. By: The Clothing Doctor
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