Dressing for battle - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing for battle

Refugee

Veteran

This is prompted by Lisa's WIW when she went to NAS. When you know you are going to be doing some serious shopping, what do you wear? What Lisa wore seemed very practical. Minimal accessories, casual easy to remove dress. I usually wear something similar. What about you any tips you'd share when arming for retail battle? Angie, do you make any recommendations to your clients about what to wear/bring along on serious shopping trips?

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah

DressLover

Veteran

I almost exclusively wear a wrap dress and shoes with no buckles, straps, etc. Very simple to get completely dressed and undressed in ten seconds.

taylor

Veteran

Cash, credit cards, checks...Oh , you meant clothing:)

I wear shoes that will slip of easily because I am ususally trying on alot of shoes:)

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Like others, I try to wear slip-ons when I know I'll be trying shoes. Also, I like to wear a very fitted, long cami and a neutral bra. I wear other clothes, too, don't worry. (-:

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I usually also carry a neutral purse and a belt. Some places won't let you take "accessories" into the dressing room, and I need to belt a lot of things!

I usually use a five-fingered comb too, because my hair usually gets pretty mussed up after trying on a ton of stuff! If you have longer hair than me, you may need a little brush

And if I anticipate there will be few change rooms and long lines, I usually wear something that I can strip down really quick and not be embaressed to be wearing I usually have a loose skirt that I can try on bottoms under, and wear a cami, so I can try tops over!

MNsara

Veteran

Ooh, lyn -- you are good I've been pleasantly surprised when I have a cami on and can find an out of the way mirror to slip tops on over it (on the weekends, our Nordstrom Rack at MOA always has a horrible wait for the dressing rooms).

I also wear shoes I can kick off and slip back on easily. This summer I found a slip on summer dress with or without short leggings was sufficient. I also strip off jewelry that might snag or get yanked around and stick them in my purse until I'm done.

Diana

Veteran

I usually go for easy slip off shoes, a tight cami (for trying things over) and separates (bonus if it is a skirt, so I can try pants under). I like separates because if I am just trying tops, for example, I don't have to bring bottoms with me into the dressing room to try on with the tops.

I hate when it's cold and I have to lug around my coat and scarf all over the store. So annoying!

ETA: although to be honest, foot comfort trumps all. I find shopping incredibly tiring for my fussy feet!

Steph

Veteran

I always wear separates, because I like to be able to just try on a top, or just try on a bottom, without changing out of everything. Other than that, the only thing I do is wear the specific heels I will normally be wearing if I am shopping for jeans that I might want to have altered at the store. I definitely don't wear layered necklaces, a bunch of bracelets, etc. because I don't want them to get in the way (it's also not really my style).

My style is generally not one that involves a lot of layers, so my shopping outfits don't really require much thought--they are pretty much what I would be wearing anyway (but I do avoid dresses).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It depends entirely on what we are shopping for. Often for the NAS, because we try on boots, I ask clients to either wear jeans or leggings - or at least bring them. Something that slips on and off easily for on top is great.

Most importantly, comfortable shoes.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I wear separates normally, and try to bring suitable shoes if I am shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding or a formal occasion. Always wear nude underwear. And if I am trying to complete outfits, I wear the component parts.

That almost sounds like I'm actually good at this shopping business, which is far from the truth - but I am often in the fitting rooms!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I always make sure to wear either leggings or some kind of bottom, rather than a dress when shopping. I don't like trying on tops without a bottom on because I have a hard time focusing on the top if I am standing there in just my chonies. (But that's probably more of a personal issue)

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Separates here usually but I did get caught in a shift dress when trying on bras at Nordies. That was awkward, zipping the dress to stay hanging around my waist while the SA helped me @@
Often if I am going for one particular item I will wear what I plan to match it up with. IE: skinny cargoes to go find a tunic to go over them. Always slip on shoes!

Queen Mum

Veteran

ha- this makes me think I need to go shop for a shopping outfit.
Ideally my shopping outfit would be slip on shoes, easy fitting jeans, a button up blouse and simple accessories. I'm not sure I have any easy slip on shoes in my closet. That is always the biggest struggle in the dressing room, or at the shoe aisle at the Rack.

Mitzy

I do tons of thrift shopping so I have this down to a science.
I wear - my best fitting bra and knickers, black leggings, a tight black camisole. Layer 1
Pants that are easy and fast to slip in and out of, I have a pair of dockers I like for this, a comfy, but dressier top, usually a long sleeve u neck jersey top that I quite like, it's black and gray sort of tie dye - Layer 2
If it is absolutely freezing I wear a charcoal colored cashmere cardigan. Warm as can be, but also light and easy to toss in my bag. I usually wear a pair of black slip on Chuck's. That is Layer 3
I carry a cross body canvas bag that can sit on the floor or hang from a hook and leaves both hands free. It has to be a bag that the phone, keys, etc can go in, because if you are taking your pants off and on, you don't want to be dropping those things.
I also carry a small tape measure, a set of screw drivers (I know, I know) a magnet, a small magnifying glass, a flashlight, a tablet (a tiny one), a pen, a swiss army knife and lots of small bills and change.
Whew! Is that a good list or what?
I am always looking for stuff I can pull apart and use in my jewelry, so I need to be able to see if things are gold or silver, plated or not. I am also still furnishing our apt so that accounts for part of those things.

bj1111

Veteran

i committed a ylf sin when pre-selecting. i wore leggings, a real bra and pants, tank top and flip flops. to look decent, i wore hubby's big ole frayed button down shirt.

MNsara

Veteran

bj - You were dressed for battle!

This just reminded me of when I was little (long, long ago!), one of our top women's stores (Frank Murphy, maybe) would have their *big* annual sale and the women would come in their overcoats over their underwear. So when the doors opened, they would surge in, and could try everything on without using a dressing room. The newspaper wouold have pics of them standing outside the doors waiting for opening. That was probably late 50s, early 60s.

Queen Mum

Veteran

oh Sara that is a scream! I'm sure none of us would go quite THAT far

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Comfy shoes and separates are a must. I often find just tops OR bottoms when shopping, and don't always think to grab things to try them on with.
It is important to me that my hair and makeup are nice, because if I look/feel sloppy I won't like anything.
Case in point, I took a red eye back to Austin in time to make it to my preselection appointment and none of the clothes wowed me. I looked like a mess!
I learned from Patience awhile back not to wear a perfectly fitting black sheath dress to shop. Everything looks too good with it (jewelry, bags, shoes).