Comments on: 5 savvy shopping strategies

By: Wanda

Wanda — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:59:07 +0000

This is great advice indeed. I’ve just done a spring closet cull, and most of the items in the recycle bag were bought on sale, despite the ill fit. My tailor is fine but can’t do the impossible, and so the tailoring dollars go out the door too!

By: 2009 April 07 | youlookfab

2009 April 07 | youlookfab — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:19:32 +0000

[...] tempting as these deals may be, remember that you shouldn’t be swayed by low prices. Don’t compromise your standards. And if your budget doesn’t permit sale shopping right [...]

By: The List Maven’s Faves 04-05-2009 : The List Maven

The List Maven’s Faves 04-05-2009 : The List Maven — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:16:58 +0000

[...] You Look Fab – make the most of your time at the mall by paying attention to all the slick shopping strategies true shopaholics know and love. [...]

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:40:33 +0000

Angie, thanks for answering Budget Babes question. Now I don’t feel too bad about my cheapo bags, since I’m only 23. In a few years, I will consider investing in nicer bags, but for now I’ll have fun with the one or two season bags.

By: Angie

Angie — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:30:30 +0000

Budget Babe, a great question. There is investing, and there is investing. Purchasing a great handbag does not necessarily mean buying designer brands that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. You can get a perfectly fabulous handbag for $80 that’s stylish at any age. If that’s the most that you can ever afford – that will work! Once you reach your early 30’s, start thinking about your bag and shoe purchases more carefully.

By: Angie

Angie — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:24:15 +0000

Joelle, that’s an interesting point. We ALWAYS dress for the body we have now. I don’t want to discourage anyone from their weight goals, but our goal is to above all dress our bodies the best that we can at the present moment. So that means purchasing the size that fits.

Indispensible dressing tips from Imogen. Her suggestions are without question where good style starts: knowing what works for you and what doesn’t. My tips come AFTER you have a good handle on that side of things.

Well done, Joy!

By: Imogen

Imogen — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:41:29 +0000

Some other tips I’d include to make shopping easier would be:

Know the colours that suit you, you can easily scan a department store for the colors that pop on you, and that stops you even looking at the 3000 other garments. Less choice makes it easier.

Know the shapes that suit you, then you won’t be tempted by that designer bargain that doesn’t suit your body shape or proportions.

Understand the principles of line and design so that when you look at the detail on a garment, such as where the pockets are placed, you can think, but will it look good on me, and only try on what has a chance of looking great.

By: Joelle

Joelle — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:57:06 +0000

No. 3 is my worst fault. I am a bargain shopper and have compromised on color, fit, or style because I found something similar to what I was looking for that was on sale. Then I end up not wearing it much because it was not exactly what I wanted and it ends up in the donation bag. It’s a great way to fill your closet up really fast with junk.

Another shopping pitfall Angie did not include in her list is buying clothes for the body you want rather than the body you have. When I was at my heaviest I did this a lot. I’m slowly getting to the point where I can actually wear some of those clothes, so they won’t go entirely to waste, but when you always buy for the future and never for the present you walk around looking drab and boring wearing the same few worn out things over and over again.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:03:52 +0000

Thanks for the reminders, Angie. The first one is something I’ve learned the hard way, especially with shoes. With clothes in general though I’m learning not to cut off the tags and wash too soon. Number two is fairly easy for me for two reasons: 1) I’m small, and 2) I had no idea what size I really was when I came to YLF wearing baggy clothes in sizes 4-8. I had to focus on trying things on and looking for proper fit. Even now I grab several sizes and go to the dressing rooms. Three is hard for me, being on a low budget, but I’m learning to shop with a list instead of my old method of shopping: “Oooh that’s cute, and it’s under $20!” Number 4 isn’t really something I do. The expensive bras do not fit me as well as the cheaper ones do, I buy the cheapest shoes my feet will allow, handbags are throw-away fashion in my closet, I’ve stopped wearing watches, and I wear contacts. Number 5 is one I don’t really do much either, because I hate returning things when I have to pay for shipping. The only things I will buy online are things I’ve already tried on or XS/0s from Express. Their sizing seems fairly consistent for me. I do get lots of coupons and online shopping codes through e-mail though; I just rarely use them.

By: Joy

Joy — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:00:23 +0000

This post is a great shopping guide. Good brands at low prices have been my downfall in the past, but I’m getting better by focusing on what I need for my wardrobe. For example this week I went to DSW with coupons to try to find pewter ballet shoes. I got distracted by the sale shoes and almost bought some shoes I don’t need that were 70% off + coupons. I’m glad I came to my senses and got very comfy Dr. Scholls pewter flats that were full price but what I really needed.
I still need to work on getting better purses. I’ve tended to use summer bags for a season, then get rid of them.