Now that you’ve cleaned and organized your closets for spring and summer, you should have a nice, organized list of things that you need to shop for. If you’ve walked through a clothing store this time of year, you’ve probably seen all those pretty, colorful clothes and have been tempted to just grab what looks good and head for the check-out. That’s how we end up with items that don’t go together or go with anything else in our closet. I’ve done that also, only leading to a “what was I thinking?” moment when trying it on later. That’s a frustrating waste of time and money. I’ve finally learned how important it is to shop with a plan. It takes a little time to plan, but saves a ton of time when hitting the stores.
What To Shop For
If you read my previous posts: How To Organize Your Spring/Summer Wardrobe and How To Build A Spring/Summer Wardrobe, you should now have a list of things you need to buy to add to your wardrobe to make it functional. Most of us can’t buy everything we need in one shopping trip, so I think it’s important that we prioritize the things on our list. You might want to re-write your list in order of priority. This really helps you to focus on what you need when you shop and not get sidetracked by something else in the store that catches your eye.
Now, before you head out to the stores, decide what you’re going to shop for with this month’s budget in mind. Since you’ve prioritized your list, you will be buying the most important items, no matter what your budget is, and you will soon have a good, functional wardrobe.
Where To Shop
Now that you know WHAT to shop for, how do you know where to begin? First, think about the stores in your area. Here’s a neat little way to decide which stores to shop at. It might sound a little silly, but it really helps you get the types of clothing that fit your style. If you could pick an entire store to be your closet, which store would you pick? Got it? Ok. Shop at that store!!! In fact, you probably thought of a few stores you would pick, so those are the stores that you should go to, at least to get started. Another thing to think about is which brands have fit you well in the past. You should also go to those stores. Are you getting excited about shopping now? I am!
Saving Money On Clothing
Wait a minute. We’re not ready to go yet. We need to stick to the budget. Go online to your favorite stores’ websites and look for sales and coupons. You’ll most likely find coupons there you didn’t even know existed. Hmmm. Seems like there’s some kind of sale every day. Make the most of it and save as much as you can. Although I believe in sticking to the plan, I do think it’s smart to go ahead and buy things farther down on your priority list if you happen to find them on sale.
How To Shop
At your favorite stores, look for the items on your list. If you find them on sale, even better! Without going into too much detail (it would take a whole book), make sure your clothes are right for your body type, fit PERFECTLY, and in colors that are flattering for you. If it’s on sale but doesn’t fit these criteria, it’s a waste of money. Shop SMART. Also, if possible, shop for a complete outfit in the same shopping trip. That would include shoes and accessories.
At Home
After getting everything home, try on your new purchases in front of a full-length mirror. Try everything on with what you were intending it to go with to see if it works. Try it with shoes and accessories. Ideally, every new item should have at least two or three things that could be worn with it. Make sure every item FITS, is FLATTERING FOR YOUR BODY TYPE, and in a FLATTERING COLOR. If so, you can now hang it in your organized closet and check it off your list.
We Did It!
That was a MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT! Every month you should be making good progress on your wardrobe because you are SHOPPING WITH A PLAN! It makes a huge difference. Wasn’t that fun??? It will be when you get dressed every day without frustration. Come back next time as I give tips on how to make the most of your functional wardrobe.