Top Tips on How to be Your Own Personal Shopper – by Jules Standish

Thu, Dec 17, 2009

This is the fourth and final instalment of Jules’s Top Tips, so read on to discover all you need to know about your getting the most out of your clothes.

You are now in a position to reap the rewards of knowing what colours to wear and what pieces you need to put into your wardrobe to suit your body shape and your lifestyle. Knowing how to shop is the important final step to building up a new you, looking good and full of confidence.

- Go through your clothes at the start of each season and plan what additions will give you most value.

- To be safe, stick to classic items in timeless styles in the sales – high fashion sale items often never get worn!

- If you like change and variety buying less expensive items which you will not keep for so long is right for you.

- For working women a more classic based wardrobe is important adding in fashionable but better quality items once the basics are in place.

- Always ensure that any expensive item bought is in your own harmonious colours.

- Should you really want to purchase a new fashion colour which is not right for you then make sure it is bought in an inexpensive, short term item i.e. a t-shirt. This rule also applies if you are trying out a new colour in your range and you are not sure if you are going to like it.

- Plan your day – try to avoid the busiest part of the week.

- If you have sufficient time, it is a good idea to go “scan-shopping” without any means to pay. This ensures that you have time to think about what you have seen, before making your purchases.

- Don’t wait until you need a particular item, plan ahead, window shop regularly.

- Go where you will have the widest selection in your area.

- Start as early as possible and walk round your chosen stores, checking out what is available to fit your needs – then decide what you are going to try on.

- Get the feel of the fabrics and how the clothes are made this will help you to recognise value in less expensive garments.

- Take with you a garment you are planning to match.

- You will get better service in many shops if you look smart.

- Do not be intimidated into buying; shop assistants are accustomed to choosy customers and respect them as they assume they have more money.

- Remember that lighting in shops distorts their true colours. Therefore it is always best to take things into the daylight to be sure.

- Wear the appropriate underwear and tights/stockings and take the right shoes.

- Make sure the outfit not only does what you want it to, but that you feel happy and comfortable in it.

- Don’t be influenced by shop assistants, after all you are the person who is going to wear it. However, if you are easily influenced then it may be advantageous to take a friend along.

- Always check you can change any purchase if it does not work as planned with other items in your wardrobe.

- The best way to get value for money is to weigh the cost of an item against the number of times you will wear it. A £200 coat that you wear throughout the winter for two years is better value per wearing that a dress costing £100 that you only wear twice.

- Finally set out to enjoy yourself!!! You are taking charge of a very important aspect of your life, which should give you pleasure and inner confidence knowing that you look great!

For more information on personal shopping, styling and colours go to www.colourconsultancy.co.uk.