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“Shopping Happiness” in 2024!
Trudi Bennett, expert stylist, shares how to shop with purpose, for a better outcome.
See Trudi Bennett’s expert advice on dressing to feel your best this New Year!
Happy 2024!
A new year encourages us to think about doing things a little differently, so let’s talk about learning how to shop with purpose, for a better outcome. In my styling business, I hear people talk about how shopping is either a nightmare, a terrible chore, or a complete bore. So many people feel this way for many reasons. Common ones are size fluctuations, aging, lifestyle changes, or sometimes just feeling overwhelmed by the choices available.
Sizing
Let’s tackle body changes, as this is a really tough one. The first hurdle to this is acceptance. You are what you are now, and whether it’s bigger or smaller, the same but differently distributed, it’s time to accept it. But guess what? Your new shape has just as many advantages as the old shape, it’s just a case of getting used to it and adapting.
Make a List
For those of you who have never enjoyed shopping, you need to make it a more practical, easy experience. If you make a list for groceries then think about also making a list of clothes you need. Be organised, clear your wardrobe, and make that list. Do this for each season and you’ll feel like you’re in control, rather than panic buying.
Colour, Shape, Fit
For those of you that hate it, it’s time to face your fear! If you have struggled all your life to find clothes that suit you or that you feel confident in, let’s talk Colour, Shape, Fit. This is the professional mantra for shopping I teach my clients. If you haven’t had your colours done but know what you like and get complimented on, when you enter the shop, head to those colours. That can eliminate quite a bit of the shop. Next, think about necklines, lengths for your body proportion, and shapes that you feel good in. You can assess both these factors at the rack, rather than looking in despair at a mish-mash pile on the changing room floor that makes you feel like it’s YOU that’s the problem. The reality is it’s the colour, shape, or fit of the garment that’s not right.
Feel Good
Lastly, remember nobody is one ‘size’ anymore. I find a lot of people span across 2, often 3 sizes depending on the store. Once you’ve selected your pieces based on colours and styles, it’s crucial to take a couple of sizes into the changing room to get the best fit. Don’t worry about numbers, worry about a great fit that makes you feel confident.
If you concentrate on color, shape, and fit vs panic buying, ‘how it hides’ or whether it’s on sale, you’ll end up with a better result. You may take less into the changing room, but you’ll have way more chance of these pieces being right for you.
Wouldn’t it be nice to go into 2024 with a handle on shopping and feeling happier with that part of your life? Because love it or hate it, everyone needs clothes. If you still read the above and think ‘too hard’ then contact me. With 19+ styling years ‘under my belt’ – pun intended – I can take you around Milford Shopping Centre and either show you how to shop, or select pieces you’ll love and wear through the new year.
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