Hi! Here’s a question for ya! Have you ever headed to the mall excited and ready to shop only to end up leaving disappointed, empty-handed or with things you aren’t thrilled with? I definitely have, and it sucks. The other week this happened to me and it was so annoying that I decided to think about what went wrong! In this post I share 1) some tips to ensure a successful shopping trip and 2) another fall trend I’m currently loving: anything 1970s(ish)!
The looks you’re about to see might not look straight out of the 70s, but they give off that vibe. When I think of what I’ve seen from those years I envision colors like chocolate brown, mustard yellow, and orange, and textures like suede. I love these outfits because I feel like they can work no matter where you live! You just might have to add another layer if you’re in chillier weather. So to all my friends in California – you can definitely rock looks like these on “cooler” fall days and embrace the season!
Tip #1: Have an Agenda
Sometimes I go to the mall with no clue what I’m shopping for… I just want to find something new or finally spend that gift card that’s been sitting in my wallet. I’m rarely successful when I do this. The first tip for a successful shopping trip is to have an agenda in mind!
It’s easy to feel like we need new clothes without really knowing exactly what. So… how do we know what to look for? Well, one thing that I can recommend is keeping a list in the notes app on your phone. That way, when you see a girl wearing an amazing red blazer, you can add ‘red blazer’ to your notes. Keep it there for awhile, and if you still find yourself wanting one after awhile, add it to the list! Also notice when you seem to be lacking a staple in your closet. Have you found yourself wishing more than once that you had some nude booties to wear? Add them to the list!
If it’s a new season, do some research and see what kinds of styles you can expect to see. This one really helped me out when I was shopping for fall this year! After living in Southern California for school the past four years, my wardrobe was really lacking in sweaters and boots. I had to do some serious shopping or I was gonna freeze. My first step was to do some research on fall 2017 trends online. Click here to see one of the articles I looked at for inspo! From there I added more items to the list on my phone.
Bottom line: plan ahead!
Tip #2: Choose the Amount you Want to Spend Ahead of Time
The second tip I have for a successful shopping trip is to decide ahead of time roughly how much you want to spend.
When I don’t think about the money side of things beforehand, it doesn’t end well. I either waste time worrying about it and calculating what I’ve spent in my head, or I completely lose track and end up crying when I look at my bank account later that day.
I promise you, if you set a limit before you start to shop, you won’t regret it! Although you may be sad that you have to wait to buy those shoes you saw on your way out of Nordstrom… you’ll be able to enjoy shopping so much more! Say goodbye to feeling guilty or stressed about what you spend.
Tip #3: Choose a Compatible Shopping Buddy
I hate to say this, but some of my friends/family members are better shopping companions than others! If you want to have a successful shopping trip you need to choose wisely when asking people to come along!
We all have that one friend who convinces us to buy things we don’t need. Or the one who doesn’t ever feeling like giving their input. Maybe they tend to get impatient with us when we’re indecisive. Or maybe they spend a ton more than us & we end up comparing ourselves and feeling bummed. We don’t love these people any less, it’s just that they don’t make for the best shopping pals!
Instead, ask one of your friends that likes to shop, understands your budget, and actually cares about your shopping success just as much as their own! Pick someone you’ll have fun with. And, if possible, one who has an eye for fashion!
Tip #4: Only Buy It if You Love It
Ok so I know we’ve all heard this one a million times. I feel dumb saying it but I have to because IT’S SO TRUE… only buy something if you really love it. Not only will you save money, but you’ll end up creating a wardrobe that you truly like. This is soooo hard to actually do but I swear it’s so worth it!
Here’s a cool story that shows how this paid off for me recently. Over the summer I found a pair of really cute rose colored pants at Satori Boutique (which I absolutely LOVE… typically I never leave that place empty-handed). I tried them on and almost bought them, but decided against it because I felt like the material was just a little too thin. A few weeks later, I found a really similar pair at Zara that were less expensive AND better quality! I decided to hold off on the first pair since I didn’t absolutely love them and ended up with ones that were even better!
Go with your gut & make sure you’re sold on something before spending $$ on it. You can do it!
~~~~~
Hope these tips help your next shopping trip go a little bit smoother… I know they really help me out!
Thanks for reading!
XO Sorelle