How do you dress for shopping--fab, or drab?

I guess this question is moot with all the internet shopping. But I still prefer trying things on in the store when I can.

I used to go extremely casual, even sloppy. Thought that would be best for comfort. Baggy chinos, T shirt, maybe an overshirt or casual jacket, and athletic shoes! Sometimes slip-on shoes for convenience.

I won't say that now I dress "to the 9's' but I have changed my approach and now, if I am in a situation where I can choose my outfit, I try to wear something that looks relatively fab, compared to before. Maybe what you would call smart casual or similar, but more based things that fit really well, a nice jacket instead of gear, colors that I love, maybe a bit of accessorizing. I do give myself more slack in footwear and usually wear a comfortable but polished leather slip-on shoe with socks (this is with long pants of course!) becaue my feet need to be really happy.

I realize I did not invent this concept, but wearing better outfits turned out to help me do this: feel "good" and not deprived or depressed; keep my style goals in plain sight; remind me of how I set the bar for fit or color or similar. It has helped me walk away from items that are less than PPP because I have some examples of PPP right on my body! In addition, I had been very susceptible to buying something that was in a flattering color ( and not paying enough attention to fit or whether I even needed it) because I might be wearing something drab, even though I had the same or better colors at home in my closet.

There are all kinds of other suggestions out there for only shopping when you are in a good mood, not going hungry or tired, and so on and those are great too. I just didn't realize for a long time that taking the effort to dress up even a bit would affect my willpower and purchasing behavior.

Those of you that are very confident in your styles and wardrobes and really good at PPP may not need this at all, but for now, I sure do!

An added advantage is that you can also road-test an outfit because you're spending a lot of time walking by mirrors and being amongst new styles and trends. It's a good way to see, do I really look like that? and do some tweaking.

Have you got some strategies that work for you?

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I dress well for shopping because I find it makes me feel better and puts me in a positive frame of mind. I also try to wear the undergarments and footwear that will work with whatever the item is that I'm on the hunt for.

rute

I always prefer to go to the stores. I try to chose clothes that are easy to put on and off like a dress and flats!

Suz

(website)

I try to dress well for shopping. I do what Shannon does with respect to footwear and undergarments, and in terms of clothing, I try to wear simple layers. One shopping "uniform" I wore last year that worked brilliantly, WHATEVER I had to try on:

Undergarments.
Tissue weight layering T
Black jersey sheath dress - non wrinkling, pull on pull off style.
Tights
Heeled booties
Scarf
Blazer and/or Coat

This worked really well because:

The dress was easy on/easy off and I could try blazers and pullovers on OVER top of it (without taking it off) saving time in the dressing room. I could also try coats and footwear with the dress and be able to see the line easily.

The dress did not wrinkle up so I always looked fresh.

The black was a backdrop.

If I wanted to try on jeans or pants, I did not have to worry about not having a top on. The tissue weight T was my "top" for those try-ons.

The layers were light enough that I did not get too hot.

Another trick I use is to wear or carry an item in a flattering colour, or obviously, if i am trying to match something, to bring it along - although I often forget that and just have to guess. Oddly, I make very few mistakes when I do that. I seem very good at representing colours in my mind and remembering them.

nancylee

Unfrumped, I'm glad you asked this question. I usually shop online (since there are not many decent stores in my small town), but I have set aside time tomorrow to go shopping in an actual mall. I'll be watching this thread with interest today.

I usually dress simply, but not sloppily. Easy-to-take-off pieces work best, such as slip-on shoes, denim, a simple white tee, jacket, etc. For me, wearing a simple layering tee is essential if I'm going to be looking for jackets/blazers since it enables me to just slip them on without going to the dressing room.

Love your observation about wearing an outfit to "road test" it while shopping (and looking in all the mirrors). I'm going to give that a try!

Lokibear

Active Member

I always try to wear one of my favorite outfits (but a comfortable, easy-to-take-on-and-off one). Wearing something I love is a good guide, because if I don't love a piece of clothing as much as what I'm wearing, I shouldn't buy it!

I spend most of my time at home and so I never pass up on an opportunity to dress up a bit. Even if it's just grocery shopping. And I have realized that any time you are out in public, you are branding yourself. Anyone who runs into you dressed like a loser will subconsciously register that impression of you. And if that's the way they see you most of the time, that will be their dominant impression of you. Not that there's anything wrong with going shopping in a Tshirt and jeans, but they should be of a flattering fit and colour, and topped by a cardigan or jacket that makes them look better, not worse. And comfortable shoes do not have to be ugly.

When shopping for clothes, I now try to think of wearing clothing compatible with what I'm looking for. I was shopping for a nude Tshirt bra the other day, so I wore a white, long-sleeved T. That way I could road test it right away. If I were looking for a bulky sweater, I would wear a pencil skirt or slim-cut pants, because that is what I would wear it with. I do love Suz's idea though and if I ever find a black dress that fits me...

merwoman

Such a good question. I generally have something targeted when I am shopping ; it might be shoes or pants etc. If it's shoes, then I try to wear the appropriate pant - skinnies or bootcuts. Operative word is try. I find if I wear something really incongruous to what I am trying on - I am so put off by what I see in the mirror that I might not even consider the item. Yes - I could always buy and return - but I am high efficiency type - I hate returns unless absolutely necessary.

If I don't know what I am going for - then I am definitely shure to wear a cami as well as clothes that are nice...but not too demanding in terms of buttons and tucking.

unfrumped

So right--if you are on a quest for certain items, wearing the supporting act is a great idea.

Suz--love the layering T. I finally started wearing a wardrobe essential tank since a goodly percentage of tops might require one.

I had a doh! moment when shopping for flats..The fit I need can be totally different for opaque winter tights vs. pantyhose or those "footies" you try on with. I had to size up 1/2 size after trying them on at home with tights. I had not thought it would make such a difference.

JAileen

We were getting ready for a trip and I was washing all my favorite things that I was planning to take, when the washing machine broke!!! We decided to run over to Sears and buy a new one, and have it delivered right after we got back. We wanted one of the high efficiency front loaders, which is one of the more expensive models. I was wearing a pair of "distressed" jeans. The saleslady kept showing us the cheapest models. I was getting frustrated with her assumption that we couldn't afford anything better. It really was a eye opener for me.

Aziraphale

What does PPP mean again? I forget.

I dress as chic as possible while still being practical. Like, I don't wear an artfully positioned belt or scarf that I'm going to have to keep taking off, or shoes that take more than five second to put on. I don't "officially" go shopping often (I'm more likely to dash into a favourite shop on the way home), but when I do, I like to look nice. The process of trying on things, many of which will not fit, is a huge drag for me, but the act of going into town looking and feeling stylish -- especially if I do it with a friend -- is immensely pleasurable.

lyn*

I try to dress nicely, so if I'm not sure if I should take something home with me, I can remind myself of some of the fab pieces I already have!

I usually bring a cardigan with me if I'm not wearing one though, because my pieces generally have to look good with a cardi

Elisabeth I like that philosophy too! I was not spending enough time enjoying being out and about in nicer outfits (not counting stopping by somewhere after work, in work attire). So some compromise between looking sharp but not complicated. Also "shopping" overlaps with routine errands and I've been trying not just run out in what others might consider lougewear!

lyn, that's it for me--it keeps me to a higher standard.

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