No, it really doesn’t matter where women shop. As long as you are discerning about style, colour and quality, spend your fashion dollars where it works for you.

Shopping for merchandise from a variety of places works best for my style, my pocket, and my conscience. I shop anywhere and everywhere! There are reasons to shop in one particular place, and reasons not to shop at another. Where you choose to shop will depend on what you are comfortable spending, the time that you have available, and the items that you are looking for:

Designer boutiques (e.g. Chanel, Prada, Dior) – shopping for exorbitantly priced designer labels is purely a status symbol. You are not getting “better quality” purchasing items here then you would shopping at better end chain stores. In fact, chances are high that the merchandise was made in the same factory! You can expect a high level of exclusivity (although knock offs are rife), but certainly no value. “Investment shopping” does not necessarily yield the highest rate of return. Your body and lifestyle change, and few people are happy wearing the same black jacket for 10 years.

Smaller boutiques (e.g. Mercer, Zebra club, Sway & Cake) – items from boutiques tend to be more unique and fashion forward. Selections and sizes are limited and sales are always late into the season. But if you are lucky and happy to pay higher prices – you’ll probably love your boutique purchases.

Department stores (e.g. Nordstrom, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus) – the variety in department stores can not be beat. They house a wider assortment of designer labels and boutique merchandise with a better return policy. Better -end and mid-priced items, underwear, cosmetics, accessories and shoes for the entire family are available under one roof. Sales and specials are prolific and refunds are easy. Department stores are top on my list for convenience, customer service, and excessive choice. However, the abundance of product can be overwhelming and precisely the reason why many stay away.

Chain stores (e.g. Banana Republic, J Crew, Express, Lane Bryant) – both better-end and mid-priced chain stores are super places to shop for commercial fashion. However, the risk of “looking like everybody else” is a guarantee. What you gain in value you’ll loose in exclusivity.

Specialty stores (e.g. Victoria’s Secret, Sylvia’s Swimwear, Accessorize) – such stores make shopping simple and are therefore popular. Their narrow but in depth range of one product is appealing. You might find yourself becoming incredibly loyal because of this.

Budget shopping (e.g. H&M, Old Navy) – with women’s trends constantly moving, buying “fashion fads” from cheaper end stores is a brilliant idea. They’ll last you a season (hence the term “throw away fashion”) and won’t have cost you an arm and a leg.

On-line shopping (Zappos) – as convenient as this may sound, pictures are deceiving and disappointment is inevitable – unless you have bought the product before and know exactly what to expect.

Whether it’s trendy designer boutiques, better-end chain stores or “throw away fashion” lines that tickle your fancy; its how you put it all together and carry it off that will make or break your look.

Do you feel like you don’t know where to start when it comes to shopping for clothes? Do you feel bombarded by fashion trends? Is resorting to comfy sweats your only solution to discouraging shopping experiences?

Here are some tips that might make you a more effective shopper:

Shop seasonally: Fashion and trends are always moving. They move at a faster rate for women then they do for men. The fashion industry therefore focuses on women first and men a bit later. While women certainly don’t need to update the majority of their wardrobe every season, it’s not stylish to look dated. Ideally you’ll need to shop for a certain amount of clothing and accessories every season, not only because trends change, but also because you change.

Shop with a plan: Wondering aimlessly from shop to shop, getting overwhelmed by what is on offer and not knowing where to look or what to select is enough to put anybody off shopping. What is your current body type and how does clothing affect it? What the trends for the new season? How do the new season’s trends translate into updated looks that are best for your body type, your budget and your lifestyle? Answer these questions, make a list, and you can then set about shopping for a wardrobe that satisfies all aspects of your life.

Shop to your current body type: It’s very important to dress (and therefore shop) for the body that you are currently in. Waiting until you’ve lost or gained weight is not the best idea. Despite the fact that it’s good to have personal weight goals, looking good now will make you feel better. A short term quick fix can therefore have positive long term effects!

Shop with focus: Once you know what works for your body and lifestyle, focus on only those items when you shop. You’ll automatically bypass styles that aren’t right for you, which will prevent frustration and save time. Pear shaped ladies should know not to entertain tapered pants; small busted rectangular shaped ladies know to look for high necklines; while apple shaped women can select bias cut skirts with confidence.

You don’t need to follow every fashion trend to be stylish. Dressing correctly for your body and appropriately for an occasion is a lot more stylish then shopping at a swanky boutique for designer clothing that’s unflattering. Your personal style begins and ends with a strong sense of yourself!

You are well-proportioned, but carry weight around your tummy and are therefore without waistline. Your slim legs are an asset but you’ll still want to think about how to balance them with the rest of your body. Creating shape and disguising your midriff will do the trick!

Create a waistline by dividing your torso:

• LAYERING will de-emphasize the width of your midsection. Layer stretch wrap tops over fine knits. Wrap tops create curvature. They’ll create a “V- shape” that will give your body that hourglass look.
• Look for tops that have fairly low necklines (especially V-neck) and lots of sleeve detail, like flares, slits, gathers, embroideries and cuff treatment – this will attract attention away from your torso. Tops that are ruched up the sides or centre will also hide your tummy.
• Avoid tucking in your tops as you’ll need to emphasize those layers at all times.
• Avoid crop tops and slinky skin tight knit tops that cling to every bulge that you wish to conceal.
• You’ll look best in a short structured jacket that buttons below the bust line. This will once again create that “V-shape” for an hourglass effect. Make sure that it’s snug on the shoulders and nipped in at the waist. Sometimes, leaving your jacket open will create a long vertical line that cuts up the width of your torso and is therefore more flattering. Jacket lengths should finish at the top of your hips. Avoid belted and double breasted styles.
• A very tailored classic long coat or jacket worn over a skirt and layered knit top combination all finishing on the knee, is an excellent formal look for you. Keep your coat open and show off those layers that are working for you.
• Bias cut dresses and wrap knit dresses are good options because they create a waistline. Stay away from dresses made of delicate fabrics as they create “flouncy movement”, which you don’t want.

Add volume to your bottom half:

• Choose flat front, semi low rise, boot cut, or flared pants and avoid pleats and gathers at all costs. Your jeans should also be semi low rise and always boot cut or flared. Choose bottoms that have stretch (at least 3%) – this will keep your midriff comfortable and give you optimum shape. Avoid wearing skinny tapered pants and skirts as this will accentuate your thin legs and make your top look even larger.
• You can wear capris and walk shorts as long as you apply the same rules to those items as you did to your pants.
• You were made for knee or calf length bias cut skirts. Avoid tiered skirt styles.
• Avoid belts and waistline detail. Keep your pants and skirts simple and your waistline and as flat as possible.
• Consider wearing Spanx.

This season’s long tees (5 May – “The longer length tee”) are perfect tummy concealing and layering solutions for you. Pair them up with a V-neck sweater, shrug or cropped structured jacket and you’ll look fab!

Be kind to your body because it works hard for you! If it isn’t perfect, give it a chance to redeem itself by putting it into the best possible swimsuit style. Once again, it’s about showing off the best part of you and concealing the rest.

If you are a little bigger on the bottom:

• You’ll look best in a one piece with dainty wrap. Your one piece should have broad structured straps, a strong neckline and top detail to create a balanced silhouette.
• If you prefer a two piece, choose one with briefs that have sides of at least 3 inches. Keeping the bottom plain and the top patterned will de-emphasize the larger part of you.
• Buy a bikini top and pair it up with board shorts instead.
• Avoid skimpy bottoms, boy shorts and bottoms with lots of hip detail.  

If you have a little extra in the middle:

• A one piece swimsuit with a built in tummy control panel is the best idea.
• One piece suits with side or centre ruching (fabric that has been gathered and stitched to maintain a rippled appearance) will also do wonders. Draping will mask the area you would rather conceal.
• Choose a patterned one piece as opposed to plain.
• A patterned two-piece tankini will also do the trick.
• Avoid bikinis.

If you are a little bigger on the top:

• Under wired bikini bra tops will offer you extra support.
• Double lined halter bikini tops with structured under bust bands and wide straps will hold your bust as well as show off cleavage!
• One pieces need to have build in shelf bras or under wire foam support. Broader straps will be more comfortable then spaghetti straps that may cut into you.
• Avoid strapless styles even if they have built in bras. 

Bikini with plain brief and patterned top (InStyleSwimwear.com), patterned one piece with tummy control panel (Land’s End), One piece with side-ruching for tummy concealment (Neiman Marcus), and one piece with built in underwire support for busty ladies (Neiman Marcus)

You won’t want to skimp when buying your swimsuit. Spend the money that you need to create your comfort and confidence. I’ve personally found joy in the Gottex range, which is available in most department stores. It’s an Israeli company that has been around for years and has won award after award for their excellent swimwear.