Do you have a shopping friend? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you have a shopping friend?

shana

Veteran

I was just thinking how difficult it is to find a good shopping buddy. My very good friend & best shopping buddy just moved away last month and I am bereft of any desire to head to my local mall without her. It’s ironic because for many, many years, I have preferred to shop alone, especially when I am on the hunt for something since it seemed distracting to have someone else along. When I shopped with someone else, it was more of a social event – lunch/dinner plus a little browsing. But I have rarely found anyone over the years with whom I actually enjoyed shopping.

This friend really changed my attitude. She was the perfect shopping buddy! We had similar body types (she was the size 0 version of me!), generally liked the same stores and had the same basic taste with a tendency towards modern classic looks. However, her love of dramatic color and girly, feminine details was the perfect foil to my attraction to all things streamlined in charcoal gray/black. She helped me push my boundaries and was always honest with her opinions. I really miss her

Do you have a shopping buddy or do you shop alone?

General

33 replies

Latest reply was from annagybe

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I did. My sister-in-law was a lot of fun to shop with. We were both shoe crazy, and had similar but not identical tastes. I now find shopping alone boring and seem only to do tactical strikes any more: one or two stores, I'm in, I look , I'm out. It cuts down the number of finds I make because I don't spend time looking.

In this case, I'm the one that moved.

Lisa

Veteran

I like to shop with a buddy that has similar style sense to myself. Otherwise it is hard for both to comment objectively. There are times that shopping alone is best, usually if I am in a rush.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I shop alone *sob*
I really wish that I could find a friend who liked to shop, but I haven't. I keep trying to convince people to shop with me, but they aren't buying it. It makes it more difficult, because I have to drive just to get to a decent place to shop- and that's not very fun alone.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I usually shop alone...my sister thinks anything outside of a thrift store is 'a huge waste of money' and if you can get it on 'it fits fine' soooo, we dont often shop together! I like thrift stores, but certainly not exclusively...I dont have any friends nearby, so thats not an option...if I shop with DH he's well-meaning, but clueless when it comes to fit and he's always in a hurry to leave....

shana

Veteran

Occasionally, I force my DH to shop with me and it's always a mistake. He's either bored & disinterested or much too opinionated:) He's not a good shopping buddy!

Maybe we need to use ylf to match us with shopping friends in our cities??? Sort of a match.com for shopping!!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've never had a really good shopping buddy. My mom's not bad - she's got a good eye for color and fit - but she lives across the country, so that doesn't happen often. It's fun to shop with my SIL, although it doesn't happen often (see 'across the country'), because she's one of those stereotypical blonde sorority girl always dressed to a T kind of people.

Barbara

Veteran

I used to shop with my sister, who always tried to buy an entire wardrobe in one shopping excursion. Haven't done that in DECADES. I do shop alone, but I prefer it that way. I know what I like, what looks fab on me and I am not easily distracted. My husband calls me 'stealth shopper' because I am so focused, which he said is unusual for a female. Was that a compliment or an insult???

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I love to shop for accessories with my friend J, as the over extended tea breaks tend to take away almost all of the shopping time and leaves no time for the fitting room. I also shop 80% online which by nature is a solitary sport!

Bianca

Veteran

Generally I shop alone. As a mom w/little kids, its heavenly getting away and trying close on by myself! It took me a while to get confident on how to wear things and know my body type. I always take things home and try them on again, just to be shore. But I do like going to the mall with the the Gals!

Cookie

I am the shopping buddy. I even have to give opinions by cell phone sometimes. If I want my own shopping buddy I take my husband. He has a good eye for what looks best on me and he never looks at the price tag. And he likes shoes.

April

Veteran

I don't have a shopping buddy who is local <sobbing with Khris> though I have two long-distance ones.

SO is a good shopping buddy for some things (I wouldn't bring him to look at handbags or shoes, for example, but he's pretty good with clothing) and my best fellow shopper is Mae, but we only get to do sister shopping once a year. Not ideal.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Cookie and April, can they teach my DH? I would love that!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Shana, I am sorry your shopping buddy moved away. That is a big loss. Are there any YLFers in your area? KristenKP and I have become the best of shopping buddies. There's nothing like another person who "gets" the YLF way to make shopping a completely pleasure - we have different styles but we're on the same wavelength.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I really do best when I shop alone. As much as I value the input of others, it makes it too stressful while I am actually in the dressing room. I do best when I can think alone and then come here for some feedback.

NK

Nope, I've never really had a shopping buddy. Even my best friend from high school was about 8 inches taller than I was, so we could never shop at the same places.

I think I do better on my own anyhow. I don't like waiting around for someone else or having them wait around for me while I try stuff on. It's too much pressure!

Kari

Veteran

It is very difficult to find a friend with "shopping chemistry" that meshes, especially having been very spoiled with friendly but astute criticism from YLF. Though I have many friends that I enjoy browsing non-clothing stores with, I can't say that I have a real shopping friend. Maybe someday I'll find one.

However, I love to shop with my mom and also with my younger sister. In both cases, our body types, ages, and style preferences are very different, but our budget preferences are pretty similar, and we really get each other's aesthetic. One of us will often suggest items that we think the other would like, or veto items that are impractical or unwise buys.

My sister and I did the NAS pre-sale together this year for the first time and had such a blast that we're hoping to make it an annual event.

JewelryGirl

I have a great friend that we sometimes shop together but I think due to schedules & both knowing our own style so well we each shop alone more often than together. However, we are more "review the loot" buddies than anything. Or, "on the hunt" buddies where each will scope out things while the other is out on their own missions & if one of us is on the fence then we review together...it's more fun for each of us for our busy lifestyles I think. Ohhhh everyone needs a girlfried that fits at least one of those categories - shopping, strategizing, on the hunt, review the loot, etc. That's the cool thing about YLF - we have that on-line at the click of a finger as well!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I do my best shopping alone. I don't mind shopping with someone else, and sometimes it's more fun to do so. But I can usually get more accomplished if I'm by myself.

shana

Veteran

I think kari hit the nail on the head - it's about chemistry and it's hard to find. Since I've only had one shopping buddy in the last 37 years, I don't think they come around too often!

Even when we didn't shop together, she was my sounding board and when we met, I often had an item or two stashed in my bag to review! Ylf is great but having a shopping buddy I trusted allowed me to skip the whole process of finding items, taking pictures, editing & posting them online, writing up my post, waiting for feedback and then going back to buy (or buying & returning). I guess I'm just lazy!!

My mom & I don't see each other too often & when we do, it's all about the grandkids these days. I did enjoy shopping with her when I was younger and it kind of makes me sad that I'll never have a daughter to share shopping trips with like my mom & I did.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE to shop with my clients, YLF'ers, Greg, my late Mum and my sis in law (although Greg only has a two hour window twice a year).

I actually prefer to shop with other people. It's more festive that way. You can't beat good food and fashion with friends.

Sparky

Veteran

I had two fabulous shopping buddies when I lived in Brazil. Wahh, how I miss them. I do like shopping with someone who can give me helpful feedback when I try things on. But finding a person whom I click with in terms of shopping strategy, that's something else. I have two friends now who I might try shopping with ~ one I think will be a thrift store shopping buddy ~ but we haven't managed to try yet.

ETA: Cookie, can I borrow your hubby? Actually, maybe he could tour the US being everyone's shopping bud. He sounds like the perfect partner in crime!

taylor

Veteran

I shop with my hubby alot..he has a great eye. My daughter and I do alot of damage together and have lots of fun...we power shop., move quickly and get alot done...I like that. My favorite shopping buddy doesn't live in town anymore :(....

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I don't have a shopping buddy - I wish I did!

Maya

Veteran

I am much too methodical and focused to enjoy shopping with others. Of course I love shopping with other YLFers but that is the exception that proves the rule.

AJ

Veteran

My best shopping buddy moved away years ago. When she lived nearby, we used to go to our huge outlet center and make a weekend trip of it. We did that twice a year and it was so fun to head back to the hotel and go over our loot.

I do enjoy shopping with my sister but we only see each other once a year. So usually I'm by myself which is fine, since my time to go without kids is limited so I need to move fast and stay focused.

When I go out with pals, I much prefer to linger over a quiet and calm meal.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

One of my closest friends is dubbed Shopping Friend on my blog; she works in retail and is terrific at giving me honest feedback and great new ideas. She always has the perfect bag and shoes for herself too!

Laura, of course, is a great shopping buddy too. This SYC thing is putting a crimp in that, though!:)

Mostly, I am the shopping friend for my other friends and family. They rely on me the way I rely on SF and Laura. It's kind of a nice feeling!

Mae

Aww... thanks April. You are MY best shopping buddy, too. Once a year is not nearly enough, but it works. (Plus, you send the *best* care packages.) xo

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I enjoy shopping with friends, but definitely am more focussed and successful when on my own in general. However I find I make a lot more impulse purchases when out with friends!!

Louise

Veteran

I hate shopping on my own. I'm a very social shopper I love meeting up for lunch/ drinks and a browse and a natter. My regular shopping buddies are my Mum and brother's girlfriend. My friend Rachel and I meet up every 2 months and usually go shopping though she is moving back to work at my school so we'll get to see each other more often x

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