In our 2024 style series we’ve been attempting to better define our personal style and refine our wardrobes to reflect that style. If you’re new to the series, I encourage you to check out the other posts in the Define Your Style…Refine Your Wardrobe library here. As we near the end of this series, I thought I’d take a deep dive in how to shop smart for a wardrobe you’ll love wearing. These are brass tacks kinds of tips that are going to save you time and money while helping you to shop smarter and with more joy.
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As we consider tips for shopping smart for a wardrobe, I think it’s good to remember that our goal is a functional closet that reflects our personal style and lifestyle. But, since this is a fashion blog and you’ve joined me here for a little style inspiration, I think it’s safe to assume we all want to look a little stylish, current and polished, too. So while we’re focusing on how to shop smart, creating a stylish and current closet is still at the heart of all of my suggestions. In other words, I’ve got tips for stretching your clothing budget, but we’re still aiming for good style.
Basically, I have 4 big tips for you. But I’ll break those down to varying degrees. Let’s get started!
Smart Shopping Tip #1
My first tip is to find brands and retailers you love and lean into them like good friends. As we define our personal styles, we’ll undoubtedly find certain brands that really reflect our vibe. There’s nothing wrong with leaning into those brands, making them your go-to, learning to shop them like a boss.
Smart Shopping Tip #2
But my second tip is just as important. I suggest we also continue to explore new brands and retailers periodically. If we stick too close to what is familiar, we risk having our style become stale. And, more basically, we miss out on the opportunity to infuse our closet with new finds that really resonate with us.
Smart Shopping Tip #3
My third tip sounds very basic, but it’s an important key to building a functional wardrobe that fits and flatters. We absolutely have to try on clothes before we add them to our wardrobe. Even when we purchase a basic t-shirt from that familiar brand, it is crucial to try on each and every item we let into our closet. Otherwise, we risk buying things that do not truly fit and flatter. And that leads to regrets…not joy.
And that brings me to my final tip, which I’ll dwell on for the remainder of this post…
Smart Shopping Tip #4
When building a wardrobe you’ll love wearing, it’s important to shop strategically. I think this is where many of us mess up, shopping more leisurely and aimlessly. I know I’ve been guilty of this in the past, and it cost me in more ways than one. I ended up with a closet full of clothes, but struggled to create outfits I enjoyed. And I frequently stood over a bed full of disheveled garments lamenting that I had “nothing to wear.” Can you identify?
In this particular day and time, I think it’s important to think strategically about when and how to shop online and when and how to shop in store. So many retailers have either cut back on the number of brick and mortar stores they have or even eliminated them completely. And even if you have a plethora of stores in your area, they undoubtedly carry less inventory than they once did. That’s simply the economics of it, as retailers have had to shift their inventory strategies to keep up with shopper habits.
So I do, in fact, have some suggestions for when it is best to shop online and when it’s smarter to shop in store. I think both server purposes as we create a wardrobe we love wearing.
Shop in store:
- at the beginning of the season, to explore new silhouettes, colors and trends.
- to try a new brand or store (when available) so you can see how things tend to fit, what their fabrics and construction are like, how outfits come together with their inventory, etc.
- when you need something fast for a specific upcoming occasion, such as a funeral, spur-of-the-moment festivity invitation, etc.
- when you are first cultivating your personal style.
Shop online:
- for the best selection.
- when looking for specific items to fill your wardrobe essentials list.
- as you learn the fit specs for different brands and feel more confident ordering your size.
- for the best information about wear (from reviews, product descriptions, fabric details, care instructions, etc.), which is generally not available in store.
- for the best availability in your size and preferred colors.
- to be more selective and resist impulse purchases or perceived pressure from sales associates.
- for online only sales and special deals
- after browsing and trying on in store so you can be more strategic.
Bottom line, I find that I’m able to shop more strategically online. I can resist the allure of items I don’t really need but that tend to draw me in when I visit beautifully curated stores in person. Remember, store displays are created to entice me to buy. But they also side-track me from my goals and tempt me to abandon my personal style angles. I generally only shop in store when I’m first scouting out the new season fashions or familiarizing myself with a new brand or store.
I find that shopping online helps me to stay focused on my personal style aesthetic, keeps me more mindful of my budget, grants me more information about fit and wearability, ensures I pull the trigger a little slower and thoughtfully, and provides me more options for my size and color choices.
Smart Shopping Tip #5
But regardless of where we shop – in store or online – we need to shop smart in order to get the best bang for our buck and our time.
Shop smart in store with these tips:
- Don’t take home anything without trying it on. Part of the point of being in the store is to try on the garments and shoes.
- Do not buy “that’ll do.” When I shop in store, I generally get tired as the shopping trip progresses. That’s when I’m more prone to buy something just because it checks most of the boxes…but doesn’t really thrill me. This kind of purchase usually leads to regrets.
- Be choosy about your shopping companions. Only shop with fashion forward, trustworthy friends or family members. Look for shopping companions who are familiar with your style goals and want to help you achieve them…not sabotage them. (Personally, I generally prefer shopping alone.)
- Wear the right shoes to try on the items you’re shopping for if possible.
- Take mirror selfies with your phone camera of yourself trying on items in the fitting room and then have items put on hold while you go for a meal or snack. Taking a step away and looking over those selfies saves me from many regrets. And when I don’t do this I tend to end up returning the items later.
- Resist impulse purchases. If you’re just browsing or window shopping, stick with it. You’ll rarely regret the purchase you didn’t make. And you can usually make it online if you do. Try to purchase on items that you had planned on buying.
Shop smart online with these tips:
- Always familiarize yourself with the shipping and return policies before beginning to shop. You obviously want to shop where shipping is free (or free at a certain purchase level) and the return policy is generous if at all possible. But the bottom line is you don’t want any surprises.
- Check out the brand’s About page for information about sustainability, fair practices, charitable causes, etc. I think this is good information to know before you shop and you’ll generally only get it online.
- Join the frequent or loyal shopper program for the stores you shop before you place an order, if possible. That often sets you up for some significant perks such as free shipping, free returns, special offers, subscriber previews and shopping rewards.
- Always check size guides for each retailer and individual item, using your correct measurements when calculating your size. Size guides definitely vary store to store, but can also be different for individual garments in a single brand. Check to see whether the brand is sharing the garment measurements or the body measurements, too.
- Read the product description for fabric content, features and fit information. Remember, fabric changes everything. For instance, 100% cotton jeans will fit very differently than jeans with 98% cotton and 2% Spandex. And there’s even a big difference in the fit of jeans with 1% Spandex versus 2%.
- Always read the reviews…but with discernment. I’ve discovered that people leave reviews more frequently when they have had a negative experience with a product. So consider the “negativity factor” when perusing the comments. Also we all have different preferences. When someone says a sweater feels itchy to them, for instance, I immediately refer back to the fabric content. If it’s 100% cashmere or Merino wool, I realize that I might enjoy the sweater while others won’t. But if it contains a blend that is heavy on polyester, I figure I’ll probably find the sweater to be uncomfortable, too. I also look for tone when I’m reading comments. I’ve found that some consumers have very unrealistic expectations of garments, thus they are very disappointed when the item doesn’t meet them. That’s often revealed in their word choices and tone.
- Follow reputable influencers (bloggers, YouTubers, etc.) who have similar taste, body type, size and/or geographical locations to you. They can be that knowledgeable friend who helps you shop smart, but also encourages you to try new things and allow your style to evolve.
- If the shipping and return policy are favorable, consider ordering multiple sizes in items you are not sure about fitting, especially in denim, swimsuits, pants and special occasion gowns, which all tend to size uniquely. But make sure you return unwanted items quickly so you won’t regret this double purchase.
- Consider getting a store credit card for the retailers you shop most frequently. You can keep a zero balance by paying it off monthly or even immediately after making purchases. But the store card often gets you significant extra perks like free shipping, exclusive discount offers and faster rewards earnings. This one tip yields me significant savings over time.
Obviously these are simply my suggestions. I realize we all have different shopping styles just like we have different approaches to other things in life. But I can say that these work for me, helping me to shop smart for a wardrobe I love wearing.
Do you have additional tips for how to shop smart for a wardrobe you’ll love wearing? Please share them with me and our community. I look forward to hearing from you!
And by the way, you can shop any of the available items in the photos above by clicking on the words in the captions. Thanks for stopping in! And don’t forget to check out the other posts in our Define Your Style…Refine Your Wardrobe style series.
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Blessed for My Day
An interesting thing happens when we expose ourselves to the Word of God. Especially if we approach it humbly, consistently and with a teachable spirit, we soon realize that the words of the Bible are taking root in our soul. We may discover that we change our minds about things we once insisted upon. Our hearts may soften toward a person that once rubbed us wrong. And often times we’ll begin to see our way clearly through a situation that once seemed so confusing.
How do you go about spending time in the Word of God? There are several good ways to get a consistent, life-changing dose of biblical truth. I suggest reading it daily with a plan for covering the full breadth of God’s Word. I also highly recommend memorizing scriptures that particularly speak to you, meditating on them as you go. And finally, I think it’s important to hear God’s Word taught by someone who has studied it carefully and is called to teach or preach it.
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12
Thank you for the many practical tips Kay – everything makes such good sense to me. To shop strategically I find it helpful to make a wish list. I write what I’m looking for and also what I intended to wear it with. Helps me stay focused and envision the look I was going for. I like to visit stores to see the fabric and fit which is useful for later on-line ordering. I recently shopped at a Talbots to determine their sizes for me (the closest Talbots to me is in a city about two hours from where I live). I am happy to say I bought the rich burgundy cords and discovered their jeans fit me very well so will be returning for those. The sales staff were very friendly and helpful. I have really enjoyed this style series and look forward to what you’ll do next.
Like your tips on shopping. Especially impulse buying, but sometimes I impulse buy on -line and once it is ordered cannot cancel the order. You have to wait until it gets to you in 5 to 7 days usually and then return it. I have returned more items than kept when I first ordered on-line, especially during the covid period. Make much better choices most of the time now. I do enjoy shopping in the store and trying on the best, but for instance, my close Talbots store is 40 minutes away. During our economic times, so many stores in my small town have closed. My favorite boutique closed during covid. So sad. Have a blessed day.
I am a huge fan and enjoy your blog and videos. In today’s blog you suggested people shop/try on in store then buy on line. However, I like to shop on line first and then buy in store if possible. So many brick and mortar stores are struggling or even closing in areas because of declining sales. It really means a lot to them if you order in the store. I was recently going to make a fairly significant purchase at J McLaughlin, but I knew they didn’t have the item I wanted in the store. I called the local store to see if they got credit if I came in and ordered in store. They were so appreciative and said it helped them to reach their sales goals. I am fortunate to live in an area that has most of the stores I like to shop (Eileen Fisher, Nordstrom, J McLaughlin, Talbots,
Chicos, and many others). I would just encourage people to support their local stores whenever possible.
I look forward to your emails everyday. They always have such a positive message about helping us to look our best.
Great advise!!!
I recently shopped a chain boutique and found a sweater that I liked. I tried it on. I found out my size and because it was so pricey-I went home and shopped the store online and put it in my shopping bag and waited for a good sale. It went on sale for 40% off and I had a reward for $5.00 and I also get free ship.. This brought the price down to about half the price. When I see clothing that I am interested in any online store I put the merchandise in my shopping bag and wait to see when it goes on sale and has free ship and then order. I check these websites almost daily. Another tip is if you have bought something and it goes on sale within a certain amount of time-some stores like Talbots and Chicos will give you a price adjustment. I’m not sure what the rules are for each company=but it does pay to check the website after you have purchased something if it has gone on sale
I thought I was the only one who prefers to shop alone!
Thanks for these tips. And this series. I always appreciate your posts because you do your homework and share your research. Also, you usually show multiple outfits and examples of your tips instead of one outfit from many different angles. As a result, I know my time spent reading your posts or watching your videos will be worthwhile. Big thank yous for all the work you put in. 🙂
I think your tip that I have benefited most from, which you didn’t mention here, is taking advantage of some stores’ capacity to keep a personal wish list on their website. With each new release of a collection/catalog, I select my favorites and put them on my wish list. For me that is the biggest deterrent to impulse buying. While they sit there online, I think about them, watch for sales, and monitor (esp w Talbots) how fast they are selling. Talbots usually posts when there are 5 or less items remaining. Just Saturday I checked my list and found that the dark purple velveteen pants I’d been thinking about only had 3 left in stock. Happily, they were also on sale 50% off so I ordered them. (I checked again yesterday and they were out of stock, so just in time.) With an easy click over to the item description, the wish list also helps me monitor the growing comments evaluating the items, which helps me discover pluses or minuses of purchasing. The wish list helps me put your tips into practice. Thanks for recommending it many posts ago!
(Different Carolyn than comment #5.)
Very practical points. I love to try stuff on in person in a store, but since I’m petite most brick and mortar stores do not carry inventory that fits me, so I’m forced to do a lot of online purchases.
One tip I’d add is don’t cut off the tags until you’ve “slept on it” a night or two. After trying stuff on, seeing how it works with my wardrobe, etc, all of which can be exciting, I will set it aside with tags still on and give myself a day or two “cooling off period” just to be extra sure I really will love and use it. If yes, then the tags come off and it goes into my wardrobe. If not, it gets returned.
Good fashion advice Kay. I need to follow it when I shop in stores. I have to watch impulsive buying especially if on sale. Good devotional message too.
I forgot to add that I like to shop alone too. I order online a lot because I wear a petite size and impossible to find in my local stores. There’s not many clothing stores I like in my town so that saves me money.
Very good tips and reminders! I also have to remember not to shop when I’m tired, such as online shopping at the end of the day. It may sound silly, but shopping is work and to do a good job at it you need to be rested and thinking straight as much as possible so you get the best results.
I agree with so many points. I also like to shop alone, and in the UK too many shops now only have petite items available online. I too, if I can, click and collect to keep the stores active and to try on the items immediately and return at the desk if needed, which triggers a quicker refund. I enjoyed this thoughtful post Kay, thank you and thanks to all the contributors.