10 Golden Tips To Help You Shop!

Here are some tips to help you do the best activity in the world: Shop Shop Shop!

1. Check your closet a week ahead to determine what you think it could be missing or what needs to be given away or just recycled with a new season item.

2. Set a budget. Knowing how much you are going to spend will help decide which shops to actually go to and will help you rummage through the racks when you get there.

3. Don't be lured by promotional items. If the promotional item is not one of those on your list, then avoid them or else you're just going to blow your budget on them leaving nothing for the items you really want.

4. Do dress up for shopping. Although I always think that you should go without too much make-up if any as you don't want to get your makeup on the items you try out. But do wash your hair and dress nicely as it will put you in a more positive mood to shop. Comfortable shoes are also a must.

5. Try the clothes on. Some people just buy by size without realizing that each cut is different. So a size 12 at one store could be a size 10 at another. So try on any outfit even if it's just a T-shirt. It will save you the hassle of having to go back to change it. Also check the condition of the item: are all the buttons there, does the zipper work, are there any stains on it or any loose threads?

6. Don't wait until the last minute to shop particularly if you're shopping for an occasion. Give your self the time to look around and sometimes an outfit you like may need to be altered. Giving yourself the time will save you from taking that second best dressed just because it's the only one available at short notice. Besides you may need to also shop for accessories (shoes, bags and jewelery) to go with the outfit.

7. Shop by yourself. Although women tend to make a party of it taking a lot of friends, I personally think you should shop alone. Later, if you're undecided about an item, leave it on hold and bring someone along for a second opinion. But most of us do know what we really want most of the time, so when you shop alone you can take your time trying on as many outfits as you want.

8. Read the care tags. I tend to avoid dry-clean only tags when it's an item I'm going to use regularly.

9. Check the return policy of any store. Usually if it's a sale item, you can't return it back at all.

10. Never buy anything that doesn't fit very well (except if they're trousers that need to be shortened). Other than that buy only items that make you look and feel good and it is an item you need and can use it with other items already in your wardrobe.