“That moment. That instant when your fingers curl round the handles of a shiny, uncreased bag – and all the gorgeous new things inside it become yours. What’s it like? It’s like going hungry for days, then cramming your mouth full of warm buttered toast. It’s like waking up and realizing it’s the weekend. It’s like the better moments of sex. Everything else is blocked out of your mind. It’s pure, selfish pleasure.”

- Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

If you are like me you can relate to this. If you are like most people you just don’t get it. (Don’t worry, we can still get along.) Many people walk into a store and get overwhelmed. they see what’s on the mannequin, grab it in the size they [think they] are and run for the checkout. Sound like your shopping style? This is just for you!

Avoid making purchases that:

1. -are just going to hang in your closet
2. -make you feel guilty for wasting money on it
3. -damage your confidence
4. -just don’t work on you

Use just a few simple techniques to confidently shop and avoid those costly mistakes.

1.   Shop on purpose.

This is just like making a grocery list. (Even you can do that, right?) Know what you are shopping for. This is your List of 5. This isn’t just thinking, “Oh I need a new shirt.” Go ahead, get out the paper and pen. Write it down. Just like any other goal, it doesn’t work if you don’t write it down.

2. Ignore the mannequin.

Just because it looks good on a tiny, unrealistically proportioned inanimate object does NOT mean it will look good on you. Learn what cuts flatter your figure and don’t get sidetracked by pretty displays or salespeople trying to meet the day’s quota.

3. Honor your style.

You have a sense of style. Really, I promise, you do. know what you feel confident in and what makes you feel just plain silly. I love animal prints, but you won’t find but one in my closet. Be true to to who you are.

4. Skip right to what you need.

Even large department stores are broken down into smaller departments. Do not, I repeat, do NOT wander thorough the whole store. You’ll get some serious sensory overload and run away empty handed, screaming for mercy. If you are not sure where to look for the item(s) on your list, ask. Don’t be afraid of the salespeople…. just don’t always trust their opinion. A sales associate can point you to women’s suiting, shoes, men’s casual wear or the misses department. This is a much more efficient use of your time than looking frustratedly through the teeny bopper section only to realize nothing in that section is going to fit your real, adult butt. Ahem, I mean body.

What are your shopping strategies?

May the SPARKLE be with you,

Tressa Branin