I’ve never been that much of an online shopper. There’s no rational sense as to why (welcome to my life) but I much prefer crowded parking lots and busy malls to simple, hassle-free keyboard checkouts.
These past few weeks, however, have been an exception with my recent, deadly discovery of Groopdealz. I’ve had more fun than expected with the oh so discounted items and have purchased more than I’d like to admit. Now, however, my patience is being tried as I wait for all the new lovely little things to come in the mail, so I’ve been yearning to get back into the craziness of summertime shopping… the struggle of it all.
Luckily, today I’m meeting with the lovely Bethany of Perfectly Coutured for an afternoon of chit chatting, coffee drinking, and, you guessed it, shopping. In this vein, I’m excited to share with you the six things I always remember when preparing for a fun shopping excursion. I hope they help you in your future outings! (Which, if you’re anything like me, will happen sooner than expected…)
I. Put on a full face of makeup and do your hair.
I’ve found that no matter how cute the clothing, I won’t buy if I don’t like the way my face looks in the dressing room mirror. So spend the extra 30 minutes pampering in the morning, your closet will thank you.
2. Wear a strapless bra.
Wearing a strapless bra isn’t always the most comfortable option, but is the most useful for trying on every type of neckline you come across: racerback, strapless, spaghetti strap, you name it.
3. Take a small, easy purse.
Leave your darling but cumbersome Michael Kors in the closet, and instead take a small purse that easily fits on your shoulder. It’s no fun to lug a huge purse around along with your shopping bags.
4. Dress in neutral tops and simple bottoms.
Wearing a simple, versatile top makes trying on a short, pant, or skirt of any color and pattern a cinch. On the flip side, wear your favorite pair of jeans or simple shorts (think white JCrew Chino’s). You’ll save so much time having on basic pants that will go with most tops you bring into the dressing room.
5. Keep accessories simple and unobtrusive.
I wear pearl earrings the size of golf balls daily without fail, so this is a hard one for me. But there is nothing more annoying than trying to hunt down the one stud that fell off when you were changing shirts. Go with small earrings, if any, and necklaces, and if you are still dying to make a statement, do so with bracelets.
6. Wear shoes that are easy to take off:
Stay away from any shoes with buckles and laces. Wear comfortable flats or sandals that are easy to slide on and off.
Lest you think these guidelines leave you with no other option than dressing like a Coldwater Creek model, I’ve put together an outfit that follows the rules but is also fun to wear.
I hope you enjoy!
~comfy, no hassle shoes~
~neutral top and basic jeans~
~small purse, similar~
~fun bracelets (Old Navy, Gropdealz, Lily and Laura)~
~dainty necklace (Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, CA)~
Are there any “strategies” you use when you shop? I’d love to hear ’em! Wishing you a wonderful day! Love, Kate
Be sure to see more at this fun linkup! http://www.perfectlycoutured.com/2013/07/three-fer-thursday-link-up.html
You are so cute! What a fun post!!
Bree, you’re the sweetest! Thank you so very much!!!
Love these tips! Thanks for linking up with us :)
xo Bethany
Thank y’all for having it!!! So happy to participate! Thanks, Bethany! :)
Wow! Fun and engaging post, Thanks for the tips :)