Ask Angie: how to prepare for a big shop - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Ask Angie: how to prepare for a big shop

Lanie

Angie, hello! Later this month I'll be making a day trip to the giant King of Prussia mall near Philadelphia, PA. I live in a rural part of upstate NY, and find online shopping really frustrating; I really prefer to shop in person. But I also find malls a bit overwhelming, so clearly I need a strategy. I want to bring gratitude, curiosity, and delight with me! Might you have some suggestions for preparing for a big shopping trip like this?

Thanks!

Lanie

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Anonymous

Lanie, I am also disappointed with online shopping and feel overwhelmed on a big trip so usually come home empty handed. A list helps keep me focused, but that is not always possible, especially for gift shopping when I often do not know it until I see it.

Vildy

Veteran

I would find out what stores are doing business there currently. Had to go there for some reason in recent years and of course they had a huge makeover from the dim past when I shopped at that mall. They seemed to be trying to cater to a more affluent social media-savvy customer.

Will be eager to hear Angie's strategies for shopping a mall.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good advice from Vildy. Check out the mall's shop availablity first.

Lanie, read these posts to get you started:

https://youlookfab.com/2013/01.....ing-tools/

https://youlookfab.com/2013/02.....y-shopper/

Think about your style goals, and a shopping list. We can help you create those if it's challenging

Here are my style goals as an example:

https://youlookfab.com/2022/01.....-for-2022/

Lanie

Thank you Joy, Vildy and Angie! So glad I reached out.

--I've started a Finds page to get a better sense of what I already have.

--I've made a list of stores at the mall I'd like to visit, and am checking out their websites to identify specific items I want to try on.

--I'm also going to bolster myself with 1 night in a nearby hotel, and invite a friend from Philly to shop or have lunch with me.

--Next I'll look at the posts Angie suggested.

Vildy

Veteran

Don't know if you'll check back here but I wanted to mention that in the olden days when you were in an environment with a lot of shops - could be a downtown or a mall - the sales staff would hold aside a garment or two that you wanted a brief while to decide about, say the same afternoon. Don't know whether this helpful practice continues except maybe in $$$$ stores.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I hope you and your friend have fun.

SarahD8’s recent thread on setting priorities might be helpful, especially the comments about lists containing both specific items and general directions of items.

rachylou

Veteran

If you’re doing an overnight - which is great if you ask me, shopping is so arduous - maybe a preview walk around would be possible, so the try-ons can be targeted.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

If/when I get overwhelmed I stop and go outside for some fresh air. I also look further away and let my eyes refocus. Take water. Stop for a meal, a snack, etc. If you shop the first day you can reconsider them overnight in case you change your mind.

Sal

Veteran

It is fun to do this - and if you can stay roughly on target you might find you can buy entire outfits which means a coordinated look.

I also advise a "do not buy" list - things that can be tempting to you always but that you really don't need. I find having a "do not buy" list for a few months or a year really helpful to remind me that I don't need more high summer clothes or more boots for example.

Wear something easy to take on and off but I think seperates are better. Also wear something you like - what you buy has to be better than your shopping outfit!

Good luck.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Yes, def wear something you like! Also make sure it’s something that makes it easy to try things on—separates, slip-on shoes, I like to wear a loose skirt and close-fitting top so I can do “rough cut” try-ons, pulling bottoms on under the skirt & taking it off only if further experimentation seems warranted, slipping things on over the top on the sales floor.
Rachylou & BD’s ideas about the overnight are great. Does KoP have a restaurant you’d like to have your dinner in?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh wow, this is timely. I just went yesterday with my daughters to a very, very large outlet mall (Sawgrass Mills in south Florida). I have not been in a mall in a long time and this one is a monster. Anyway, I previewed the mall stores and focused on a few. I found the experience overwhelming and had serious sticker shock at the price of things at "discount" stores but my daughters were delighted even if though they only bought a few things. Good luck!

kkards

Veteran

Gosh. King of Prussia mall, I haven’t been there in about a dozen years, great mall, but wow totally overwhelming. You didn’t say what day Of the week you are going, but if possible avoid a weekend.

One other piece of advice, since you don’t ready access to these stores, ask about return policies via mail. In the past, not sure of the current rules, Nordstroms allowed for mail returns for in store purchases. If you had a prior return sticker, you could use that for free shipping, otherwise you have to pay for shipping. But still less than keeping something that you realize once you get home, isn’t going to work. Years ago I also returned an in store purchase via mail, to Bloomingdale’s. Yes, it’s still easier to make good decisions in store, but it’s nice to know you have options.

Lanie

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions, and the support.

kkards -- excellent point about the return policies. I've been burned frequently in the past this way.

Stagiare Fash & Sal -- good reminder about easy on/easy off! Last week I went clothes shopping in a jumpsuit, lesson learned.

Sal -- I hadn't thought of a "do not buy" list. Great idea.

Adding these suggestions and the others to my prep. list. Delighted to be here on this forum!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Not just clothes but underwear too - pick something comfortable but also where you wouldn't mind straps etc showing (i.e. if it does show (based on the cut of the item you're trying on) it won't completely ruin the outfit to the point where you can't visualise the intended overall look). Even better if you have a convertible bra handy for tryons!

Oh, & a handsfree bag is a must - either a crossbody or backpack. Otherwise it'll just get in the way of holding/ browsing/ trying on multiple items at once.