As something of a seasoned clothes, shoes and handbags addict who’s been honing her shopaholic craft for many, many years, I feel it my duty to share my wisdom with the masses.
Take heed, dear fashionistas: savvy stylistas aren’t just about looking good, they know all about being clever, too….
THE POINT OF NO RETURNS
If there’s even a smidgen of a chance you’ll end up in a shop that doesn’t offer returns, be sure to wear easily strippable attire so you can try stuff on there and then, to make certain you definitely want to keep it. There’s nothing more infuriating than not being able to find anything to swap it for when you take it back. Likewise, how many credit notes have expired before you’ve had chance to spend them? Don’t let those canny retailers get the better of you.
BRA-LLIANT THINKING
When you find a bra that fits like a dream and creates exactly the silhouette and shape you want, be sure to buy two. Bras have an important yet tricky job to perform but can be an absolute nightmare to shop for, especially if you have a large bust and a small back. They also get a heck of a lot of wear and tear, so having more than one in the same style and design means:
– fewer stressful shopping trips.
– fewer bra funerals.
– fewer angry meltdowns of the ‘why is my favourite bra ALWAYS in the wash when I need it?!’ variety.
GO UNDERCOVER
Same goes for hosiery and shapewear – be sure to double up when you find the holy grail of tights or knickers, because you’re unlikely to find the same ones again next year. If they don’t roll up, dig in or make it impossible to go to the loo, you’re on to a winner. Not all undercrackers are created equal. It’s basic fashion maths.
WALK TALL
High heels are never comfortable. Fact. Even mid-heels and flats can be deceptive little blighters, lulling you into a false sense of security when in fact they’re going to rub to high heaven, pinch horribly in all the wrong places or make your poor little tootsies ache if you walk more than a few hundred yards in them. Remember to:
– allow extra space for insoles if you need them.
– take the shoes home and wear them round the house for as long as you’re likely to in real life, ie several hours, then return them if they’re not up to the job.
– always have plasters handy for strappy numbers (shredded foot skin is not a good look.)
– think ahead and have a back-up plan. If you still can’t resist seriously impractical footwear – no matter how unfeasibly high and significantly likely to result in a broken neck/ankle/spirit – be sure to only ever wear them in Carter Bar situations (car-to-bar) and/or have someone on standby to carry you round if need be.
IN THE BAG
I’ve whinged about micro-bags and clutches before (especially the hard ones) and I’ll do it again: THEY’RE INTOLERABLE! OK, if you find one big enough to stash all your worldly crap in, then absolutely go for it, but chances are you won’t. And if they do happen to be roomy enough you can be darn certain they’ll be really awkward and annoying to carry. Another bugbear is chain straps. Who wants metal digging into their shoulder all night and leaving an unsightly mark? Check the object of your affection serves the purpose you need it to before parting with your cash.
HIT THE BOTTLE
If you’re not one of those people who carries a bottle of (non-alcoholic) drink around with them all the time, a major shopping spree is the time to start. Having a mouth more parched than the Sahara isn’t helpful when you’re trying to make executive decisions about the extent to which you should empty your current account or abuse the plastic. This point is especially pertinent when:
– there’s a heatwave on.
– there’s a sale on.
– you’re dragging your anti-shopping other half round with you and need to be able to yell at them when their whingeing gets too much.
– you’re on such a mission or are so pressed for time that refreshment pit-stops and loo breaks are simply not an option.
Have fun…and good luck!
soozebee 