krishnidoux and Suz, I do write down the names of items and stalk them online on occasion. The few times I've done this, it has worked out well in the end - a Cole Haan travel parka I found on Ebay for half the already-discounted Loehmann's price, premium denim in a funky engineer stripe...

It only backfired once, when I stupidly passed up a lower-end maker bag I loved at Marshall's (a discount store) and then was crushed to find that it was all but sold out *everywhere.* I still tracked it down, but ended up paying more.

I think the key to this strategy is to use it early in the season on current-season items that are on the expensive side. Something that is inexpensive to begin with *and* already on sale is less likely to be found online, let alone found for a cheaper price.

Suz & krishnidoux - that's exactly how I have been shopping lately and have found it super successful. I'll find an item in the store that I really like and fills a need, try it on and determine my size but not buy it at our ridiculous in-store Canadian prices - I'll go to that retailer's web site and stalk the item. Once it goes on sale or I get an online-only sale coupon, then I'll purchase it knowing the exact color and size I'm looking for. I find the online stores have much better sales and more frequent discounts than the actual brick and mortar store. Plus the brick and mortar store (at least in my experience) sells out of my size quicker than the website. But I have still had the experience of touching the fabric, seeing the fit, confirming the color in the store. Perfect example is the Gap leather drapey jacket from my first WIW - in the store it was $328. I ended up paying $139 on line 4 weeks later!

I'm also an avid (ok...obsessed really) thrifter and consignment shopper. It's like a sporting event, digging through all the stuff to find the few treasures someone else didn't notice. I also find I can afford much higher end items this way since I certainly can't afford to pay full price for certain designers. Honestly, in every outfit I wear, there's at least one component that is thrifted. I also feel pleased that I've kept something from ending up in a landfill - it's basic recycling.

I find all the stores and all they have in them overwhelming. I guess I do a couple of things - like I don't go to more than two shops or department store sections in a given day. I also rely on a handful of shops / department store sections just to give myself some boundaries. And then, I window shop while walking my dog to see what's out - if something really catches my eye, I'll return. Oh, and I make my b.f. come with if I find myself suffering from attention blindness. He's very good at spotting things I just wouldn't notice.

I rarely buy online, but I do browse a lot to see what might be in stores.

*high-fiving Angie and Elisabeth*
I am glad some people are on my teams. I know it's not the most cost-conscious way to shop, but it minimizes stress and maximizes enjoyment. Everything is time or money. Time comes at a premium for me. I control my budget by focusing on my annual budget.

ETA: I hope this doesn't sound judgmental about other strategies. Far be it from me! I admire lots of other strategies. This is just what works for me.

Price Adjustments are another tool that I use. Nordstrom's is great for that, but even Old Navy and Target offer them. I think there is a smartphone ap where you can scan a bar code and it will find you the best price. Not having a smartphone, I haven't used it, but I remember seeing something about it.

I confess I am right there with Natalie, returning 80% of what I buy. But I am not ashamed of this - it is the strategy that works for me! I have 6 boxes in my car right now with over 1k worth of shoes and boots for having kept only one pair. With young kids, my window of time for shopping is from 9 to 10pm so that's what works for me!

Wow. I also get exhausted reading this, but I relate.

GP, when I first really started shopping seriously, I did exactly what you did. I found an item and if it got marked down I by gosh was getting my discount! I got some serious bargains this way but I also had to do a TON of receipt tracking. It was a lot of work, but I had no money and lots of time, so, no foul.

Now my strategy has changed. I have become a serious label snob, but 1) because I don't mind wearing items gently used and 2) I'm in an area with crapola shopping, I mostly do online, ebay and consignment. Occasionally I do Gilt Groupe or similar and Yoox. Sometimes I manage to get to the Rack, which is when I do my "grazing" shopping to see what I can find. But no matter what, I only shop labels I know and trust, in sizes I know will fit me. The few times I've deviated from this have been the ones where I bombed.

Now, I'm lucky in that I am very familiar with my taste, so people in the midst of their closet overhaul may not find this works for them. But the more you know what you love, and what loves you back, the better you can hone a strategy and be happy with what you buy.

I used to shop online a lot. So much so that I got banned for receiving packages at work. I still stalk things online(see multiple fringe boots posts). Now I shop more at stores. I tend to be impulsive in my shopping. Rarely do I have strategy to look for item X. I tend to find it cool, interesting whatever that peaks my interest. I don't mind paying full price. When I do shop styles I tend to go for more out there stuff style wise. More willing to gamble on something different if it's cheaper. I'm an inconsistent returner.

Good question. I am at a place where I am very happy wardrobe and shopping wise. If I can get here, anyone can.

I have become very strategic and efficient shopper. That's not just miles away, but different world altogether to how I had been not even 18 months ago: overwhelmed, confused and unfocused.

My time is too precious, so I try to shop very quickly. I have narrowed my shopping destinations to a few stores from all price ranges that stock clothes which suit my life/style and have good quality vs. price ratio and I tend to shop there mainly. I update my wish list and use that as the main guideline. I often shop and try at home, then return, but returns are less frequent – partly because I also shop less now. Because I now have all the basics and all occasions I can think of covered, it is easy for me to spot the gaps that need filling and search for that.

I use my 4 top criteria (flattering colors / fit&quality / lifestyle needs / climate reality) to weed things out before any serious consideration.

I do shop on-line, primarily for sale items or for some things that are not available in my local stores. I create bookmarks, 1 per store and I keep there the items I like. Time gives me perspective whether something really is what I like / need / want and I can also monitor sales and offers, in some cases there is price limit I set for certain thing (e.g. I refuse to pay over £50 for the boots that have fabric-synthetic lining).

I also liberally step away from the wish list if I find something I like, but I'm definitely over the impulse and maybe buys. Plus, I really think through how much I'll actually wear something - even with what I currently have I don't get enough opportunities to wear things as many times / ways as I have ideas for. Price per wear has become my big guideline and I want to start wearing out my clothes, as opposed to passing them on for being wrong or after getting bored with them. I hug my current wardrobe, it took me a long time, a lot of money down the drain and many frustrations to get here, so I want to get the most of it. I love bargains, but the older I am the more I am interested in quality, lasting pieces that fit my dad's wise words "I am not rich enough to buy cheap things".

Fascinating thread!

Ornella, I too make such lists!