Confessions of a Fashion Blogger

I have a confession. I don’t like to shop. Strange, right? That’s not to say I don’t enjoy it when the planets are aligned, the weather is sunny, and my hair is perfect, but most days there are other places I’d rather be than cooped up in a store.

That’s part of the reason I love internet shopping: I can squeeze in 10 minutes looking at jeans while waiting for my coffee to brew, or I can browse winter coats for an hour while watching “Project Runway.” I can compare features between brands, select style options, and look for the best deal in pricing and shipping, all without leaving my recliner.

On those occasions that I am in the mood to shop in “bricks-and-mortar” stores, I have a handful of favorite places to visit, and an arsenal of tricks for making sure I get the best service and have the best time possible. I’d like to share a few of those with you.

First, do your best to find a place that suits your style. Are you plus-sized or petite? A boutique that only carries normal sizes and lengths probably won’t be able to offer you very much. Do you like really fashion-forward, edgy pieces? Find a place that caters to your need to be on the cusp of new fashion, rather than someplace that carries more classic looks. Do you want to look stylish without blowing the bank, fashionable without being a slave to trends, and youthful without looking immature? Check out The Clothes Gallery! (You’re already here on our site; browse around and let us know what you think.)

Now that you’ve found a place to shop, how do you make the most of your shopping trip? If at all possible, try to shop at off-peak times. I know that’s much more difficult to do for some of us than others, but there’s nothing better than blowing a vacation day in a cute downtown shopping area, grabbing a fancy cup of coffee, getting your nails done, and browsing the stores just for fun. If you can’t make it during the week, try to stop in first thing in the morning on a Saturday, before the crowds hit and the chaos sets in. If you can, make an appointment to shop so that you’re guaranteed time with a sales associate. As a bonus, you could find yourself hitting it off with her and making a great new friend with the inside scoop on new designers and great deals. If there’s a designer you love, find the store that carries the largest selection of that line and give the sales associate your information. Most stores are more than happy to call a customer when new arrivals come in, and some will even hold a few pieces in your size until you can get there. Be open to trying things that don’t look like your typical style. Some of my favorite pieces of clothing are things that I passed up on the rack a time or two before finally giving them a chance. Trust the staff when they bring you piece to compliment something you’re already trying on. They know the merchandise and they’re really just trying to help you out. And, if you can (self, take note) don’t shop when you’re rushed, angry, or irritated. You need to be in a positive state of mind to truly evaluate an item of clothing, and you may need to try on half a dozen different black tanks in various sizes and styles before you find the perfect one. Really take the time to be sure what you’re about to buy is something you’re actually going to wear. What’s the use in having a closet full of jeans if you always go back to one or two favorites?

Finally, these might seem unimportant, but they’re huge: be polite to the staff, and pick up after yourself. If you want great service, be someone they want to give great service to. Would you want to be helpful to someone who barely acknowledges you, or would you want to shop in an area after someone left a huge pile of clothes on the floor? Just use some common courtesy when you’re out and about, and you’ll be sure to get that returned to you tenfold.

Happy shopping! Stop back next week when we take a look at some great coats for the upcoming winter.