Do you hate to shop for clothes?

According to a recent report by WGSN (Worth Global Style

Network), 28% of women HATE to shop for clothes. To them,

it’s a four-letter word that produces stress and anxiety

any time they think about hitting the mall.

Now for the 26% of women who absolutely LOVE to shop and

frequently ease their woes with retail therapy, this may be

inconceivable. How can anyone NOT enjoy the thrill of the

hunt or the big bargain score? Who doesn’t love modeling

new clothes in front of the mirror or being asked

incessantly, “Great outfit! Is it new?”

The answer? Plenty of people.

And for many women who hate to shop, the problem has little

to do with money. In fact, according to WGSN, when these

women actually force themselves to go buy clothes, they

rarely look for bargains.

Instead, they tend to avoid the mall because:

1. They don’t know what kinds of clothes look best on them.

2. They don’t follow fashion and don’t want to look

ridiculous or dated in their purchases.

3. They’re easily flustered when they can’t find what

they’re looking for quickly.

4. They feel uncomfortable trying on clothes in dressing

rooms.

5. They may have put on a lot of weight and either can’t

find clothes that fit or don’t want to face the fact that

they need a larger size.

6. They hate crowds.

Does any of this sound familiar?

If you can really relate to this list, here are some tips

to make shopping easier, less expensive, and far less

frustrating than you may have experienced in the past:

1. Determine Your Body Shape

Start by taking a good look at your birthday suit in the

mirror the next time you change clothes or step out of the

bath. Are your hips bigger than your chest? Your chest

bigger than your hips? Is your waist the same size as your

chest and hips? Does your body resemble an hourglass?

Make a note. Look for clothes shaped the same way you are

when you hit the stores. This will lead to fast success

and minimal frustration.

2. Determine Your Lifestyle

What kinds of clothes work best in your current situation?

Do you need business wear? Jeans? Ball gowns? If your

lifestyle is 60% work, 20% social, and 20% leisure, for

example, or 90% work and 5% social and 5% leisure, then

your wardrobe should reflect as much. Otherwise, you may

be hard pressed to find something to wear for those

activities where you spend the least amount of time.

3. Assess Your Needs and Make a List

Once you know your shape and your lifestyle, it’s time to

go through your closet and see what you need. If you’re

short on tops, put them on the list. Feel fabulous in a

coatdress? Add a few more. Love your black A-line skirt?

Buy another one in dark blue.

Remember: if you start with a list, you can immediately

hone in on those pieces in the store. When you only look

for what you need, you’re a lot less likely to get

distracted – or confused.

4. Go When it’s Quiet and You Have Some Time

This may not always be possible, depending on your

situation, but try to go when the stores are nearly empty

and you have a little time to look, like a weekday morning.

Not only will the store clerks be more available to help,

you’ll have plenty of time to go through the store

inventory.

If you hate crowds or have to constantly monitor your watch

as you shop, you’re more likely to give up quickly or buy

unsatisfactory pieces just to get it over with.

Simple solution: shop online.

5. Leave The Kids At Home

This may not always be possible, but if you can shop when

they’re at school, leave them with a sitter, or swap

sitting duties with another mom so you each have free time,

do.

6. Buy and Return

If you don’t have the time or inclination to try on clothes

before you buy them, go to a mirror, hold the clothes up in

front of you and see how they look. If it looks like

something you might like, test the size in the places it’s

most likely to give you trouble, like the shoulders, bust

or hips, by grabbing the edge of the garment and seeing

where it hits on the side of your body. If it goes half

way, chances are, you have a close fit. If it doesn’t or

if it goes beyond the halfway point, go up or down a size,

respectively. Buy it, take it home, and try it on there.

If it fits, keep it. If it doesn’t, take it back.

7. Hire Help

If you truly don’t want to attempt any of this on your own,

or if you’re after a certain look but don’t have the time

to track it down, hire a personal shopper. Many better

department stores and boutiques have one on staff; just

ask. Or, check online, in the newspaper, or in the phone

book for freelance personal shoppers in your area. The

Association of Image Consultants International

http://www.aici.org

might also be able to recommend someone locally.

While the fee for department or boutique staff shoppers is

usually free (they receive a commission on the clothes you

buy from their store), most freelance shoppers will charge

either an hourly or flat fee for their services, plus the

cost of clothes. If that’s what it takes to get you out

the door, looking your best, with a minimum of stress, pay

it. It will pay you back many times in increased

confidence, reduced stress, and a workable, wearable

wardrobe.

Shopping for new clothes should be an enjoyable event you

participate in at least twice a year, to refurbish your

closet for the new season. If you hate to shop or always

wind up with stuff you don’t need, try these tips to get

your closet in order. Who knows? You may actually start

to enjoy yourself!