Ask Angie & All: what to wear to shop?

Rambling Ann

Angie: what do you suggest to you clients to wear (and bring) when you take them shopping? All: what do you wear? Do you dress for the capsule you are shopping for? Like a girls' lunch out?

If you were visiting a new city (New York, Paris, London, Hong Kong) would you dress differently and how so?

The reason I ask is that shopping is something I actually do more of when I travel than any other time, seems like a good thing to plan for in a travel capsule. You know, a stylish outfit for wandering the streets of Berlin ready to spend those Euros. In my dreams...but I should be ready

PS Maybe there's an abbreviation to shorten "Ask Angie & All"?

PPS I love these shoes, even if they aren't bunion foot friendly. But someone should buy them.

6PM.com

Donald J Pliner Franc

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11 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Windchime

Diana

Veteran

In terms of general shopping wear, I go for (in order of importance): comfy shoes, easy on/off items (no shoes that require lacing, tops with complicated ties etc - these get old real fast after you've taken them on/off for the tenth time), and separates (helps if for example you are only trying on tops). Of course I did not follow my own advice at the boston meet up and wore a dress with tights, so the ladies got an eyeful of my tights-that-are-definitely-not-pants in the fitting room! Don't be like me. Wear separates and you won't have this problem.

For traveling I would say my travel wardrobe is more minimal than my normal one, partly bc I like to travel light and have mix and match potential, and also because I am not comfortable standing out in an unfamiliar city (so for ex I'd leave my crazy neon pants at home...) I try to pick something that fits in.

11 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, like Diana said, don't wear a dress.
I also don't like to wear jewelry. Because either I'm taking it off or it can get caught on items you are trying, especially problematic with sweaters.

11 years ago

SW Ann

Veteran

If I am shopping for something specific, like a dress, I do wear a dress and some kind of heel (or take some with me). I try to wear something that I feel good in, but isn't complicated to get in or out of.... I just want to make sure my ego isn't fragile that day or I will be too critical of what I might try on. If I know I will be looking for tops to go with jeans, or shorts, I try to wear a top that's easy to remove and shorts that are similar to what I want the tops to go with. I hope this helps!

11 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I wear separates I feel good in, but that are easily taken on and off, plus neutral colored undergarments, and not too much makeup, because I don't want it to come off on the clothes I'm trying on! I also bring lip gloss, a brush, and a ponytail elastic, so that if I am feeling 'meh' about myself, I can give myself a little lift.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I wear things that I can slip on and off easily. I find that if trying things on is a hassle, I am inclined to skip it and then always regret it later. So, comfortable slip on shoes (no ties) are a must. Looser knit tops work well too.

11 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

I try to wear the type of underwear I expect to wear with the things I'm shopping for (if I know in advance that I'll be trying on tank tops, or low-cut tops, or slim-fitting dresses and pants etc). Sometimes this isn't possible, of course...

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Leggings, tank top, flat shoes that slip on/off, trench coat cover up. Because if must be, you can just pull stuff on over these things without wrangling a dressing room.

For serious shopping, I'd still wear this outfit in all major cities around the world. Maybe I'd throw on a mini skirt over.

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

What rachy posted is my outfit for thrifting or other places that might not have changing rooms. If I'm shopping for something in particular at retail stores, like a color match to a navy or olive or something, I wear the item I'm trying to match, for example the pants I'm trying to find tops to work with. I also carry some of those pantihose footies in a zip pocket in my bag so I can try on sockless shoes (sometimes the store has them, sometimes not).

11 years ago

Anonymous

I like to wear sheer nylons and a column of a neutral color like grey or black and easy on and off like a tube skirt and a silk tank that allows trying on jackets and toppers over it. I also do not wear jewelry and do wear slip on comfortable shoes. I avoid belts, scarves and other extras that can get left behind or slow getting dressed again.

11 years ago

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Interesting that you all are so practical! I often see ladies shopping that are dressed to kill, but maybe they are not actually on a mission to buy!

Comfortable shoes are a must-there's something about the pace of walking and browsing that is akin to the museum stroll that wears after a while.

11 years ago

April

Veteran

My rule is no shopping in anything that has to be wrestled on or off. No tight skinnies, no form-fitting tops, no shoes with complicated closures. Easy is the name of the game.

11 years ago

Windchime

Veteran

As others have said, comfort and ease are key. Also neutral colors. It's hard to assess what something looks like against bright colors and/or prints. My preference is a pull-over shirt, pants, slip-on, comfortable shoes, and a decent-fitting bra. I don't wear a camisole for clothes shopping unless I'm looking for something which requires a cami.

Sometimes when I walk though our mall, I think some folks (not YLFers) buy clothes just to wear for walking through the the mall!

ETA--how about a new YLF acronym: A4 for "Ask Angie & All"?

11 years ago

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