It’s the beginning of summer and I am sure many of you will be taking a shopping adventure for some new digs. There are some of you who go to the mall loving it and some dreading it but either way we all have the same problems, things not fitting right, returning whatever you thought fit, or just never wearing it. So here are something’s to think about when hitting the racks.

Make sure you know your size and then, well forget about it. Many people think they know what size they are but really it’s either the size they were 10 years ago or the size they were before they lost 20 lbs. Get the size you used to be out of your head because really why did you put all the work into losing 20 lbs if you are still wearing the same clothes! When it comes to trying different brands or styles it is ok if you have to try a size bigger or smaller, it may not be your size but that may just be the cut or brand (no need to have a pity party in the dressing room)! When you find a pair of jeans or a dress you like try it in the size you think you are and then the size above and below that or sometimes 2 sizes, you may surprise yourself. This world is full of different body shapes and unfortunately designers cannot make clothes to custom fit everybody’s body just right, so many times you may need to get things altered or hemmed. Many stores do this for free all you need to do is ask!
Be open to new things. Sometimes when you look at something on the hanger or manikin you think “that won’t look good on me”, well try it on anyway. Once again you may surprise yourself!
Splurge on the staple pieces not the trendy ones. Now some may disagree because yes things always come back, but do you really want to wait 15 or 20 years until that happens....I didn’t think so. I like to keep staple pieces in neutral colors but if there is a color you love and always have then go for it!
Know your personal style. Just because something is trendy and in at the moment doesn’t mean you have to wear it like everyone else or at all. The point of seeing things on the runway or in Vogue is so you can take that IDEA and make it your own. Fashion is something you buy, style comes from within.
Ask yourself 2 things, do I absolutely love it and is it the image I want to present to people. My mother says this to me when I shop with her and I have learned to love it. Make sure you absolutely love the item before buying it so you don’t waste your time on returning it or just never wearing it. And as Tom Ford would say "Never, ever, ever wear anything you feel foolish in."
Don’t think you have to leave the store with something. You may be thinking what’s the point of shopping if you aren’t going to buy something (my sisters and mother often have this problem). Sometimes I go shopping just to see what is out there. I rarely get rid of things so whatever is trendy I probably have something like it in my closet and just don’t know what to do with it yet…..which brings me to the last tip.
Try shopping at a little place called, YOUR CLOSET. I know I know, if you had something in there you wouldn’t be thinking about shopping, but going through your clothes can be fun (well sometimes). You may find things you forgot you had or things you can wear in different ways. For example try different accessories to spice up a simple top or take a pair of jeans and turn them into a cute pair of shorts.

Well I hope these tips will help you on your next shopping adventure. Just remember you are shopping for YOU and YOU are the only one that needs to love it and wear it!

Tips for Shopping!