Lael's Shopping Rules and Tricks ... Part 1 of 2

My favorite thing: FASHION. So basically that means clothes, and THAT means shopping. I, like most of you, do not have money to throw away, but I love shopping for clothes so much. So over the years I have formulated some rules and tricks to help me get the most out of that rare $20.

Trick:   Research.

                  
Before you go shopping have an idea what your looking for. You don't have to get that and that only but it is helpful to have in mind what you want.

Rules: 

• SALE! CLEARANCE! SALE! You never know what amazing treasure you will find. 

Trick:   Be prepared to go shopping.

                    
Whether or not you plan on trying stuff on... more often than not, you do. 

Rules: 

• Avoid jewelry and lots of accessories. Taking off and putting on clothes in the dressing room also means you must take off...and once again put back on all those accessories, if you must accessorize, stick with something simple like a scarf.

• Do NOT spend a lot of time on your hair. Static-y shirts and dresses will only undo all of your hard work. Preferably put your hair up in a fool-proof ponytail, bun, or even pig tails.

• Try things on. No, I mean try lots of things on. NO, I mean try LOTS of things on! Even if you don't expect it to fit try it on because every so often there is that piece that will make you happy you tried it on. Also with trying things on you will get an idea of how clothes fit you and it will all-in-all build your shopping intuition. Expect things not to fit and don't let it get you down. Usually if you go into a dressing room with twenty things you will come out with four. Remember this is ok! You didn't really expect to buy all twenty things did you?

• Bring a friend. Bring someone with patience to stand outside and give you opinions. If you want return the favor do the same for them.

Stay tuned for more Shopping Rules and Tricks! 

cont...